28 "But what do you think ? A man had two sons , and he came to the first and said , 'Son , go work today in the vineyard .' 29 "And he answered , 'I will not'; but afterward he regretted it and went . 30 "The man came to the second and said the same thing ; and he answered , 'I will , sir '; but he did not go . 31 "Which of the two did the will of his father ?" They said , "The first ." Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. 32 "For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 21:28-32
Commentary on Matthew 21:28-32
(Read Matthew 21:28-32)
Parables which give reproof, speak plainly to the offenders, and judge them out of their own mouths. The parable of the two sons sent to work 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 whole human race are like children whom the Lord has brought up, but they have rebelled against him, only some are more plausible in their disobedience than others. And it often happens, that the daring rebel is brought to repentance and becomes the Lord's servant, while the formalist grows hardened in pride and enmity.