Matthew 21:31-32 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 21:28-32

As Christ instructed his disciples by parables, which made the instructions the more easy, so sometimes he convinced his adversaries by parables, which bring reproofs more close, and make men, or ever they are aware, to reprove themselves. Thus Nathan convinced David by a parable (2 Sam. 22:1), and the woman of Tekoa surprised him in like manner, 2 Sam. 14:2: Reproving parables are appeals to the offenders themselves, and judge them out of their own mouths. This Christ designs here, as appears... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 21:28-32

21:28-32 Jesus said: "What do you think? A man had two children, He went to the first and said, 'Child, go and work in my vineyard today.' He answered, 'I will not.' But afterwards he changed his mind and went. He went to the second and spoke to him in the same way. He answered, 'Certainly, sir.' And he did not go. Which of these two did the will of his father?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them: "This is the truth I tell you--the tax-collectors and harlots go into the Kingdom... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:31

Whether of them twain did the will of his father ?.... This is the question put by Christ, upon the preceding parable to the chief priests, elders, and Scribes, they say unto him, the first : an answer which natural reason, and common sense, directed them to; and therefore they give it out at once, directly, without staying upon it, and demurring about it; though they seemed not to be aware of the application of it to themselves, which follows: Jesus saith unto them, verily I say unto... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:32

For John came unto you in a way of righteousness ,.... He had a commission from God; he was no impostor; the doctrine he taught was true, and which he faithfully delivered; his life and conversation were unblamable; there was nothing in his credentials, ministry, and conduct, that could justly be found fault with: and ye believed him not ; to be the forerunner of the Messiah, or the Elias that was to come; nor attended to the doctrine of repentance preached by him, nor were subject to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:31

The publicans and the harlots - In all their former conduct they had said No. Now they yield to the voice of truth when they hear it, and enter into the kingdom, embracing the salvation brought to them in the Gospel. The others, who had been always professing the most ready and willing obedience, and who pretended to be waiting for the kingdom of God, did not receive it when it came, but rather chose, while making the best professions, to continue members of the synagogue of Satan. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:32

John came unto you in the way of righteousness - Proclaiming the truth, and living agreeably to it. Or, John came unto you, who are in the way of righteousness. This seems rather to be the true meaning and construction of this passage. The Jews are here distinguished from the Gentiles. The former were in the way of righteousness, had the revelation of God, and the ordinances of justice established among them; the latter were in the way of unrighteousness, without the Divine revelation, and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:32

Verse 32 32.For John came. As John was a faithful servant of God, whatever he taught Christ ascribes to God himself. It might have been more fully expressed thus: God came pointing out the way of righteousness by the mouth of John; but as John spoke in the name of God, and not as a private individual, he is most properly named instead of God. Now this passage gives no small authority to the preaching of the word, when those persons are said to have been disobedient and rebellious against God,... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 21:28-32

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 21:28-32

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:32

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:31

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:32

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 21:32

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:1-46

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:23-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:23-40

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