Matthew 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 go into the kingdom of God before you.

Whether {G5101} of {G1537} them twain {G1417} did {G4160} the will {G2307} of his father {G3962}? They say {G3004} unto him {G846}, The first {G4413}. Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} the publicans {G5057} and {G2532} the harlots {G4204} go {G4254} into {G1519} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316} before {G4254} you {G5209}.

Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they replied. "That's right!" Yeshua said to them. "I tell you that the tax-collectors and prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you!

Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.

Which of the two did the will of his 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.

Commentary

Context of Matthew 21:31

Matthew 21:31 forms the climactic conclusion to the Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-30). Jesus tells this parable to the chief priests and elders in the Temple, who had challenged His authority. In the parable, one son initially refuses to work in the vineyard but later goes, while the other says he will go but does not. Jesus asks His audience which son did the father's will. They correctly answer, "The first." Jesus then uses their own judgment to deliver a stinging rebuke, revealing their spiritual blindness and hypocrisy.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Obedience Over Profession: This verse powerfully contrasts outward religious adherence with genuine obedience. The "publicans" (tax collectors) and "harlots" (prostitutes) were considered societal outcasts and sinners, yet many of them responded to John the Baptist's call to repentance and believed in Jesus. In contrast, the religious leaders, who outwardly professed righteousness, rejected God's messengers and His will.
  • Repentance and Humility: Jesus highlights that those who acknowledge their sin and humble themselves to repent are more receptive to God's truth. The publicans and harlots, despite their past, demonstrated a willingness to change their ways, which is essential for entry into the Kingdom of God.
  • Spiritual Blindness and Hypocrisy: The religious leaders were so consumed by their self-righteousness and perceived spiritual superiority that they failed to recognize God's work through John the Baptist and Jesus. Their refusal to believe and repent prevented them from entering the Kingdom, despite their religious status.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "publicans" (Greek: telonai) and "harlots" (Greek: pornai) are significant. Publicans were Jewish tax collectors who collaborated with the Roman authorities, often extorting money from their own people, making them deeply despised. Harlots were socially marginalized and considered morally bankrupt. By stating that these individuals "go into the kingdom of God before you," Jesus deliberately used the most offensive examples to shock His audience and underscore the radical nature of God's grace and the importance of genuine repentance over outward religious conformity.

Practical Application

Matthew 21:31 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual pride and hypocrisy. It reminds us that God looks at the heart and values genuine repentance and obedience more than outward religious observance or social standing. For believers today, this verse emphasizes that:

  • Actions Speak Louder: True faith is demonstrated by our actions and willingness to obey God's commands, not just by our words or church attendance. As Jesus taught elsewhere, it's about doing the will of the Father.
  • Humility is Key: A humble and repentant heart, open to correction and change, is far more precious to God than self-righteousness.
  • God's Grace is for All: No one is beyond God's grace if they are willing to repent. This should encourage us to extend grace to others and avoid judging based on outward appearances or past mistakes.

This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we truly seeking to do God's will, or are we merely going through the motions?

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 7:29

    And all the people that heard [him], and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

  • Luke 7:37

    And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that [Jesus] sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

  • Luke 7:50

    And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

  • Matthew 7:21

    Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.

  • 1 Timothy 1:16

    Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

  • Matthew 20:16

    So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
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