What did Jesus mean when He said that ‘many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first’? To explain what he meant Jesus told a parable about workers in a vineyard. If you’re a Jew, or a person who became a Chirstian at a young age, you might find this parable a challenge. But if you truly appreciate what God has done for you and the joy of working in His vineyard, then this parable is a reason for you to celebrate.