Whether of them two did the will of his father? They say to him, The first. Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
did.
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.
Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
The first.
2 Samuel 12:5-7 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: …
Job 15:6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
Luke 7:40-42 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on…
Verily.
Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
the publicans.
Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Luke 7:29,37-50 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John…
“The first,” they answered.
The religious leaders correctly identify the son who ultimately did the will of his father, highlighting their understanding of the principle that actions speak louder than words. This acknowledgment sets the stage for Jesus to confront them with their own failure to act on their professed beliefs. The response also underscores the importance of repentance and change, a recurring theme in the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you,
The phrase "Truly I tell you" (or "Amen, I say to you" in some translations) is a solemn affirmation used by Jesus to emphasize the truth and importance of what follows. It is a call to pay close attention, as Jesus is about to deliver a significant and perhaps unexpected message. This phrase is used frequently in the Gospels to introduce teachings that challenge conventional wisdom or religious norms.
the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
This statement would have been shocking to Jesus' audience, as tax collectors and prostitutes were considered sinners and outcasts in Jewish society. By stating that these individuals are entering the kingdom of God before the religious leaders, Jesus highlights the power of repentance and faith over mere religious status or outward piety. This echoes the message of John the Baptist, who called for repentance and prepared the way for Jesus (Matthew 3:1-2). It also aligns with the prophetic tradition of God valuing a contrite heart over ritual sacrifice, as seen in passages like Psalm 51:17. Jesus' ministry consistently reached out to those marginalized by society, demonstrating the inclusive nature of God's kingdom.
- Jesus circles back to the parable just told (Matthew 21:28-30). The point is obedience, not lip service.
- Scripture consistently stresses that the Father’s will is done by action:
• Matthew 7:21—“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father.”
• James 1:22—“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”
• John 14:15—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
- The question exposes hearts: doing what the Father asks is the real test of sonship.
- The religious leaders give the obvious answer, showing they understand the lesson intellectually.
- Yet their own lives contradict it; they are like the second son who said “I will” but did not go.
- Luke 10:37 records a similar moment when a law expert answers correctly but needs to “go and do likewise.”
- Romans 2:21 confronts the same hypocrisy: “You then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?”
- The phrase underscores absolute authority and reliability (cf. Matthew 5:18; John 3:3).
- Jesus is not offering an opinion; He is issuing a divine verdict that cannot be overturned.
- Outcasts who repented at John’s preaching (Matthew 21:32; Luke 7:29-30) are already stepping into kingdom life.
- Their quick obedience contrasts with the leaders’ stubborn refusal, fulfilling Luke 18:9-14 where the humble sinner goes home justified.
- Matthew 9:10-13 shows Jesus welcoming such people because “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reminds us that former lifestyles do not bar entry; cleansing and transformation come through Christ.
- “Before you” is a solemn warning: religious heritage without repentance yields no preferential treatment (Philippians 3:4-9).
Matthew 21:31 drives home that genuine obedience—prompt, humble, and repentant—is what the Father seeks. Words, titles, or positions cannot substitute for doing His will. Those society deems least likely can enter first when they repent and believe, while the self-righteous stand outside. The kingdom’s gate swings open to anyone who turns, trusts, and obeys.
(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 of classes; but we cannot help associating them with the personal instances of the publican who became an Apostle (9:9), and of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:2-10), and of the woman that was a sinner (Luke 7:37-50).
Go into the kingdom of God before you.--Which literally means, lead the way into. What follows shows that our Lord is stating not so much a law of God's government as a simple fact. The choice of the word is significant as implying that there was still time for scribes and Pharisees to follow in the rear. The door was not yet closed against them, though those whom they despised had taken the place of honour and preceded them.
Verse 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 repented and went. Verily I say unto you. Jesus drives the moral home to the hearts of these hypocrites. The publicans and the harlots. He specifies these excommunicated sinners as examples of those represented by the first son. Go into the kingdom of God before you; προάγουσιν ὑμας: are preceding you. This was the fact which Jesus saw and declared, he does not cut off all hope that the Pharisees might follow, if they willed to do so; he only shows that they have lost the position which they ought to have occupied, and that those whom they despised and spurned have accepted the offered salvation, and shall have their reward. We must remark that the Lord has no censure for those who sometime were disobedient, but afterwards repented; his rebuke falls on the professors and self-righteous, who ought to have been leaders and guides, and were in truth impious and irreligious.