Matthew 21:31 - 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.
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What does "Matthew 21:31" mean?
This verse, Matthew 21:31, is part of a parable Jesus tells to challenge the religious leaders of his time. To understand the meaning, let's break it down:
The Parable (Matthew 21:28-30): Jesus tells a story about a man with two sons. He asks the first son to work in the vineyard, and the son refuses but later goes. He asks the second son, who readily agrees but never actually goes.
The Question (Matthew 21:31a): Jesus asks, "Which of the two did the will of his father?"
The Answer (Matthew 21:31b): The religious leaders correctly answer, "The first." They recognize that the son who actually obeyed, despite his initial refusal, was the one who did the father's will.
Jesus' Application (Matthew 21:31c): This is the key to the meaning: "Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you."
What it means:
The Religious Leaders as the Second Son: Jesus is using the parable to illustrate the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. They outwardly claimed to be righteous and obedient to God's law, like the second son who said he would work in the vineyard. However, they were resistant to Jesus' message of repentance and refused to acknowledge him as the Messiah.
Tax Collectors and Prostitutes as the First Son: Tax collectors and prostitutes were considered outcasts and sinners in Jewish society. They initially lived lives that were contrary to God's will (like the first son who initially refused). However, when they heard Jesus' message of forgiveness and repentance, they believed and turned away from their old ways.
Obedience vs. Lip Service: The parable highlights that true obedience is not just about outward appearances or empty promises. It's about genuine repentance, faith, and a willingness to do God's will, even if it means changing your ways. The tax collectors and prostitutes, though initially disobedient, demonstrated true obedience by turning to God. The religious leaders, despite their outward piety, were disobedient because they rejected God's messenger and his message.
Kingdom of Heaven: Jesus is saying that people who were seen as the lowest of the low in society and accepted and followed Jesus will enter the kingdom of Heaven before the religious leaders who claim to be devout, but reject Jesus.
In essence, Jesus is saying that genuine faith and a willingness to repent and follow God are more important than outward religious observance. The tax collectors and prostitutes, though considered sinners, were more receptive to God's message than the self-righteous religious leaders. It's a powerful reminder that God's grace is available to all who are willing to turn to him, regardless of their past.
Matthew 21:31 - 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.
What does "Matthew 21:31" mean?
This verse, Matthew 21:31, is part of a parable Jesus tells to challenge the religious leaders of his time. To understand the meaning, let's break it down:
The Parable (Matthew 21:28-30): Jesus tells a story about a man with two sons. He asks the first son to work in the vineyard, and the son refuses but later goes. He asks the second son, who readily agrees but never actually goes.
The Question (Matthew 21:31a): Jesus asks, "Which of the two did the will of his father?"
The Answer (Matthew 21:31b): The religious leaders correctly answer, "The first." They recognize that the son who actually obeyed, despite his initial refusal, was the one who did the father's will.
Jesus' Application (Matthew 21:31c): This is the key to the meaning: "Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you."
What it means:
The Religious Leaders as the Second Son: Jesus is using the parable to illustrate the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. They outwardly claimed to be righteous and obedient to God's law, like the second son who said he would work in the vineyard. However, they were resistant to Jesus' message of repentance and refused to acknowledge him as the Messiah.
Tax Collectors and Prostitutes as the First Son: Tax collectors and prostitutes were considered outcasts and sinners in Jewish society. They initially lived lives that were contrary to God's will (like the first son who initially refused). However, when they heard Jesus' message of forgiveness and repentance, they believed and turned away from their old ways.
Obedience vs. Lip Service: The parable highlights that true obedience is not just about outward appearances or empty promises. It's about genuine repentance, faith, and a willingness to do God's will, even if it means changing your ways. The tax collectors and prostitutes, though initially disobedient, demonstrated true obedience by turning to God. The religious leaders, despite their outward piety, were disobedient because they rejected God's messenger and his message.
Kingdom of Heaven: Jesus is saying that people who were seen as the lowest of the low in society and accepted and followed Jesus will enter the kingdom of Heaven before the religious leaders who claim to be devout, but reject Jesus.
In essence, Jesus is saying that genuine faith and a willingness to repent and follow God are more important than outward religious observance. The tax collectors and prostitutes, though considered sinners, were more receptive to God's message than the self-righteous religious leaders. It's a powerful reminder that God's grace is available to all who are willing to turn to him, regardless of their past.