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.
Study Note
Study Note
Jesus' declaration that 'the publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you' — addressed to the chief priests and elders — is one of the most socially disruptive statements in the Gospels, inverting the religious and social hierarchy at its most sensitive point. The parable of the two sons (vv. 28–30) grounds the inversion in a straightforward behavioral observation: those who initially refused but subsequently obeyed embody the repentance that John preached (v. 32) while the religious leadership's apparent compliance masks actual disobedience. The 'way of righteousness' attributed to John the Baptist (v. 32) connects this teaching to the Baptist's role as threshold-preparer whose ministry authenticated repentance before the kingdom's arrival. The verse is important for understanding Jesus' systematic deployment of reversal as a kingdom-hermeneutic throughout his Jerusalem ministry.
Other Translations
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.
which of the two did the will of the father?' They say to him, `The first.' Jesus saith to them, `Verily I say to you, that the tax-gatherers and the harlots do go before you into the reign of God,
Which of the two did his father's pleasure? They say, The first. Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, that tax-farmers and loose women are going into the kingdom of God before you.
Cross References
Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; …
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that …
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son …
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that …
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in …