Matthew 21:28-31 KJV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:28

Verse 28 This conclusion shows what is the object of the parable, when Christ prefers to the scribes and priests those who were generally accounted infamous and held in detestation; for he unmasks those hypocrites, (33) that they may no longer boast of being the ministers of God, or hold out a pretended zeal for godliness. Though their ambition, and pride, and cruelty, and avarice, were known to all, yet they wished to be reckoned quite different persons. And when, but a little ago, they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:30

Verse 30 30.I, Sir. (35) This phrase is borrowed from the Hebrew language; for, when the Hebrews wish to offer their services, and to declare that they are ready to obey, they speak in this manner, “Here I am, Sir,” It is a laudable virtue in itself, as soon as God has spoken, to yield to Him ready and cheerful obedience; and Christ does not here give the commendation to slowness. But as both are improper—to delay before doing your duty, and to promise what you do not perform—Christ shows that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:1-46

The vast multitudes who came to his baptism thereby professed faith in his teaching. Hence the general expression, "All hold John as a prophet." The defeat of Herod's army in the war with Aretas, King of Arabia, was esteemed by the Jews a judgment for the death of John (Josephus, 'Ant.,' John 18:7 ). 2 . John ' s testimony therefore should be conclusive. III. AS IT IS EVIDENT IN THE DISCOMFITURE OF HIS ENEMIES . 1 . They set up their authority against... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:23-32

The authority of Jesus. The "things" in reference to the doing of which this question of the authority of Jesus was raised by the chief priests and elders, were his purging the temple from the traffickers, his publicly teaching and working miracles of healing there. Mark, by more clearly placing the miracle of the withering of the fig tree in order before these things, brings them into closer connection with the passage before us. We may profitably consider the authority of Jesus— I. AS... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:23-40

The controversy in the temple. I. THE LORD 'S AUTHORITY CALLED IN QUESTION . 1 . The intervention of the chief priests. St. Luke tells us that they had resolved to destroy our Lord. He had now allowed himself to be saluted openly as the Christ, the Son of David. He had accepted the hosannas of the multitude in the city, in the temple itself. He had assumed a paramount authority in the temple. The chief priests regarded themselves as rulers there; the market in the court... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:28

But what think ye? A formula connecting what follows with what has preceded, and making the hearers themselves the judges. By this and the succeeding parables, Jesus shows his interlocutors their true guilty position and the punishment that awaited them. He himself explains the present parable in reference to his hearers, though, of course, it has, and is meant to have, a much wider application. A certain man ( ἀ ì νθρωπος , a man ) had two sons. The man represents God; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:28-32

The parable of the two sons . (Peculiar to St. Matthew.) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:28-32

The two sons. In this parable our Lord illustrates the great principle which he more than once enunciated—that "many shall be last that are first; and first that are last." It has a special reference to the Pharisees and publicans of Christ's time. But there are publicans and Pharisees in our own day. Let us consider the parable in its bearing on ourselves and the present conduct of people. I. THE SON WHO REFUSED AND REPENTED . 1 . His hasty refusal. Doubtless he spoke... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:29

I will not. The answer is rude, curt, and disrespectful, such a one as would naturally issue from the lips of a person who was selfishly wrapped in his own pleasures, and cared nothing for the Law of God, the claims of relationship, the decencies of society. Repented, and went; i . e . into the vineyard to work. The worst sinners, when converted, often make great saints. There is more hope of their repentance than of the self-righteous or hypocrites, who profess the form of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:29

Speech tested by deed. To see the point of this parable, it is necessary to observe the connection in which it stands. Our Lord was dealing with men who proposed to entangle him in his talk, and, out of what he said, find accusation against him. He had turned the tables on them, by putting to them a question which they dared not answer; and now, in this parable of the two sons, he presents to them a picture of themselves, which they could not fail to recognize. They were like the son who... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:28

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:30

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:1-46

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:23-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:23-40

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:28-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:28-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:29

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:29

Group of Brands