SEV Biblia, Chapter 21:31
¿Cul de los dos hizo la voluntad del padre? Dicen ellos: El primero. Les dijo Jess: De cierto os digo, que los publicanos y las rameras os van delante al Reino de Dios.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:31
Verse 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 31. Whether of them twain did the will of his father ? etc.] 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 you, that the publicans and the harlots ; that is, such who had been so; (See Gill on Matthew 9:10). go into the kingdom of God before you . They are signified by the first son, who repenting went, and did the will of his father: these repented under Johns ministry, were called, and brought to repentance by the preaching of Christ, and his apostles: these justified God, their Father, by being baptized with Johns baptism: these embraced the Messiah, believed in him, and were the first in his kingdom, and set an example to the chief among the Jews to follow: and it is easy to observe, that a poor profane sinner may, by the grace of God, be brought to repentance, that before was obstinate, rebellious, and disobedient, and be made willing to go and work in the Lords vineyard here, and be at last glorified; when a self righteous person, notwithstanding all his fair promises and resolutions to do good, his professions of, and pretensions to religion, neither repents of his sins, nor believes in Christ; has no share in the kingdom of grace here, nor will he enter into the kingdom of glory.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 28-32 - Parables which give reproof, speak plainly to the offenders, and judg them out of their own mouths. The parable of the two sons sent to wor in the vineyard, is to show that those who knew not John's baptism to be of God, were shamed by those who knew it, and owned it. The whol human race are like children whom the Lord has brought up, but the have rebelled against him, only some are more plausible in their disobedience than others. And it often happens, that the daring rebe is brought to repentance and becomes the Lord's servant, while the formalist grows hardened in pride and enmity.
Greek Textus Receptus
τις 5101 I-NSM εκ 1537 PREP των 3588 T-GPM δυο 1417 A-NUI εποιησεν 4160 5656 V-AAI-3S το 3588 T-ASN θελημα 2307 N-ASN του 3588 T-GSM πατρος 3962 N-GSM λεγουσιν 3004 5719 V-PAI-3P αυτω 846 P-DSM ο 3588 T-NSM πρωτος 4413 A-NSM λεγει 3004 5719 V-PAI-3S αυτοις 846 P-DPM ο 3588 T-NSM ιησους 2424 N-NSM αμην 281 HEB λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S υμιν 5213 P-2DP οτι 3754 CONJ οι 3588 T-NPM τελωναι 5057 N-NPM και 2532 CONJ αι 3588 T-NPF πορναι 4204 N-NPF προαγουσιν 4254 5719 V-PAI-3P υμας 5209 P-2AP εις 1519 PREP την 3588 T-ASF βασιλειαν 932 N-ASF του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
21:31 {Go before you} (proagousin). "In front of you" (Weymouth). The publicans and harlots march ahead of the ecclesiastics into the kingdom of heaven. It is a powerful indictment of the complacency of the Jewish theological leaders.
