Bible Verse Lookup
Mt 21:31
Chapter 21
31
Which of the two did what the father wanted?”
They answered:
“The first.”
And Jesus said to them:
“Truly, I tell you: tax collectors and the prostitutes are ahead of you on the way to the kingdom of heaven.
Which of the two did what the father wanted?”
They answered:
“The first.”
And Jesus said to them:
“Truly, I tell you: tax collectors and the prostitutes are ahead of you on the way to the kingdom of heaven.
Commentaries
Parable of the Two Sons.
Jesus starts the parable with a question: “What do you think?” (28). At that time and place, people would likely have thought the first son acted correctly because he responded properly to his father. The second son’s refusal was seen as disrespectful. However, Jesus shifts the question: “Which of the two did the will of his father?” (31). What matters is not external appearances but what is inside people; the one who honors God is not necessarily the one who performs outward rituals, but the one who does his will.