Matthew 21:31 NIV

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:1-46

The Triumphal Entry. Cleansing of the TempleChronology of the Last Week of Christ’s Life, commonly called Holy Week (chiefly after Hastings’ ’Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels’).Sabbath, Nisan 8. Arrival at Bethany (John 12:1). Supper in the evening (John 12:2-8; Matthew 26:6-13, where see notes).Palm Sunday, Nisan 9. Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1). The children’s Hosannas, and healings in the Temple (Matthew 21:14-16). Return to Bethany (Matthew 21:17).Monday, Nisan 10.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 21:31

(31) They say unto him, The first.—The answer came apparently from the lips of the very persons who were self-condemned by it, and so implied something like an unconsciousness that they were described in the person of the second son. They who gave God thanks that they were not like other men, could not imagine for an instant that the “went not” represented their spiritual life in relation to God’s kingdom.The publicans and the harlots.—The words are purposely general, as describing the action... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Matthew 21:1-46

Palm Sunday and Its Lessons Matthew 21:9 Palm Sunday ought to have something to say to us, if we can hear its voice and learn its lessons. I. One thing we learn here is that the sympathies of the multitude are right. This great mass of people, untaught, ignorant, simple-minded, with no one to guide them, instinctively gave their honour and adoration to Christ. They had heard of His kindly works, His sympathy with all who were in sorrow, His uniform goodness and purity, and their hearts went... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:18-46

; Matthew 22:1-46; Matthew 23:1-39 Chapter 17Conflict in the Temple - Matthew 21:18-46 - Matthew 22:1-46 - Matthew 23:1-39IT had been written that the Lord should suddenly come to His Temple; {Malachi 3:1} but He would not too hastily assert His rights. The first day He simply "looked round about upon all things," {Mark 11:11} and then withdrew to Bethany. The second day-without, however, even yet assailing the authority of those in power-He assumed His prerogative as Lord of the Temple by... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Matthew 21:1-46

9. The King Enters into Jerusalem. The Parables of the Two Sons and the Householder and His Vineyard. CHAPTER 21 1. The King Enters Jerusalem. (Matthew 21:1-11 .) 2. The Second Cleansing of the Temple. (Matthew 21:12-17 .) 3. The Fig tree Cursed. (Matthew 21:18-22 .) 4. His Authority Impeached and His Question. (Matthew 21:23-27 .) 5. The Parable of the Two Sons. (Matthew 21:28-32 .) 6. The Parable of the Householder. (Matthew 21:33-39 .) 7. The Lord's Question and the King's Sentence.... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Matthew 21:31

21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of [his] father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots {p} go into the kingdom of God before you.(p) They hurry to the kingdom of God and you go slowly, so that you should at least have followed their example. Mark then that this word, "go into", is improperly taken in this place because none of them followed Christ. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:1-46

It is a moment of most serious significance as the Lord is now about to enter Jerusalem. He is to be publicly presented to Israel, yet in lowly grace, not in power and majesty. Two of His disciples are sent to the village (perhaps Bethphage, "the house of unripe figs") in which they are immediately to find an ass tied and a colt with her. Only Matthew mentions the mother: Mark, Luke and John speak only of the colt. For the mother speaks of Israel's long history of rebellion and in subjection,... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:1-46

THIRD ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEATH With this third announcement our Lord has indicated the three classes of His foes, the leaders of His nation in the first announcement, one of the twelve in the second, and now the Roman Gentiles (Matthew 20:17-19 ). The ambitious request of James and John (Matthew 20:20-28 ), is in keeping with the selfishness previously expressed by Peter. The immediate occasion for the request is found in our Lord’s words which they had misunderstood (Matthew 20:19-28 ). The... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Matthew 21:23-46

Chapter 79 Prayer Almighty God, thou dost see all things at once: there is nothing hidden from thine eyes: our hearts give up their secrets to thee as thou dost look upon us. All things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Thou art not searching for our faults, thou art looking for the return of our hearts to their harmony with thyself. Thy look has no fire of destruction in it, but is filled with the tears of tenderness, and often brightened by the expectation of... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Matthew 21:23-46

"And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? (24) And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. (25) The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From... read more