Matthew 21:31 “Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first, ” they answe…”

Matthew 21:31

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you.

American Standard Version

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

Whether of them twaine did the will of the father? They saide vnto him, The first. Iesus saide vnto them, Verely I say vnto you, that the Publicanes and the harlots goe before you into the kingdome of God.

Darby Translation

Which of the two did the will of the father? They say [to him], The first. Jesus says to them, Verily I say unto you that the tax-gatherers and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

Young's Literal Translation

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,

Bible in Basic English

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.

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Cross references

“did”

Matthew 7:21 2 Peter 3:9 Matthew 12:50 Luke 15:10 Acts 17:30 Ezekiel 33:11

Matthew 7:21 · BSB

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

2 Peter 3:9 · BSB

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

Matthew 12:50 · BSB

For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Luke 15:10 · BSB

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

Acts 17:30 · BSB

Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.

Ezekiel 33:11 · BSB

Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you…

“The first”

Romans 3:19 Job 15:6 Luke 19:22 2 Samuel 12:5–7 Luke 7:40–42

Romans 3:19 · BSB

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

Job 15:6 · BSB

Your own mouth, not mine, condemns you; your own lips testify against you.

Luke 19:22 · BSB

His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow?

2 Samuel 12:5–7 · BSB

David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die!

Luke 7:40–42 · BSB

But Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, Teacher,” he said.

“Verily”

Matthew 18:3 Matthew 5:18 Matthew 6:5

Matthew 18:3 · BSB

“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:18 · BSB

For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Matthew 6:5 · BSB

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

“the publicans”

Luke 7:29 Luke 7:37–50 Matthew 20:16 Romans 5:20 Romans 9:30–33 1 Timothy 1:13–16

Luke 7:29 · BSB

All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John.

Luke 7:37–50 · BSB

When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume.

Matthew 20:16 · BSB

So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Romans 5:20 · BSB

The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

Romans 9:30–33 · BSB

What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;

1 Timothy 1:13–16 · BSB

I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

30Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go.

32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Read Matthew 21