Matthew 21:31-32 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:28-32

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

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 21:31

Whether of them ( the ) twain! Christ forces from the unwilling hearers an answer which, at the moment, they do not see will condemn themselves. Unaccustomed to be criticized and put to the question, wrapped in a self-complacent righteousness, which was generally undisturbed, they missed the bearing of the parable on their own case, and answered without hesitation, as any unprejudiced person would have decided. The first; i . e . the son who first refused, but afterwards... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:32

For John came unto you. This gives the reason for Christ's assertion at the end of the last verse. John came with a special call to the rulers of the people, and they made some show of interest, by sending a deputation to demand his credentials, and by coming to his baptism; but that was all. They did not alter their lives or change their faulty opinions at his preaching, though they "were willing for a season to rejoice in his light" ( John 5:35 ). In the way of righteousness. In that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 21:28-32

But what think ye? - A way of speaking designed to direct them particularly to what he was saying, that they might be self-convicted.Two sons - By those two sons our Lord intends to represent the conduct of the Jews, and that of the publicans and sinners.In my vineyard - See the notes at Matthew 21:33. To work in the vineyard here represents the work which God requires man to do.I will not - This had been the language of the publicans and wicked men. They refused at first, and did not “profess”... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 21:28-32

Matthew 21:28-32 . But what think ye As if he had said, You have evaded a direct answer to my question concerning the baptism of John, and have acknowledged your ignorance whence it was; but what think you of your own conduct in these circumstances? and of all the high professions you make of an extraordinary reverence for God, and zeal in his service? I will plainly tell you my judgment of it, which is very naturally connected with the present subject. This our Lord does in two parables,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:23-32

122. Authority of Jesus questioned (Matthew 21:23-32; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8)When Jesus returned to the temple, the Jewish religious leaders came to trap him with a question. They hoped to find something in his answer that would enable them to bring a charge, civil or religious, against him. They asked him by what authority he acted the way he did, particularly in overthrowing the established practices of the Jewish temple (Matthew 21:23).Instead of answering directly, Jesus adjusted the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 21:31

Whether of them twain = Which of the two. the will = the desire. Greek. thelema (the Noun of App-102 ). publicans = tax-gatherers. go into . . . before = go before you into. the kingdom of God. See App-114 . The fourth of five occurrences in Matthew. See note on Matthew 6:33 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 21:31

Which of the two did the will of the father? They say, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.Christ's application of the parable to the Pharisees and to the class of sinners they most despised is in some ways rather shocking. It must have appeared positively outrageous to the hardened hypocrites who first heard it. It does not appear, of course, that Christ condoned or endorsed gross sin in any manner. He... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 21:32

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye saw it, did not even repent yourselves afterward, that ye might believe him.Thus, the prior entry of publicans and harlots was not due to any divine preference for their kind of sins, but was the result of their response, their hearing, believing, repenting, and being baptized. All the vaunted righteousness of the Pharisees could not save them while they... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:28-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:28-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:31

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:32

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 21:28-32

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 21:28-32

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:23-32

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 21:31

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 21:31

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 21:32

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