Matthew 21:31
Friday, 24 July 2026
Which of the two did the will of his father?”
They said to Him, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. Matthew 21:31
“‘Which from the two, He did the ‘determination, the father’?’ They say to him, ‘The first.’ He says to them, the ‘Jesus’, ‘Amen! I say to you that the taxmen and the prostitutes, they precede you into the ‘kingdom, the God’.’” (CG)
In the previous verse, Jesus continued the parable, noting that the second son said he would go into the field, but he didn’t go. Jesus next asks the leader a question, “Which from the two, He did the ‘determination, the father’?”
The question probably didn’t take long for them to think through. The first son said he wouldn’t go, but later regretted it and went. The second son said he would go, but never went. The answer is obvious, and so, “They say to him, ‘The first.’”
The leaders of Israel were able to figure it out. Even if the first was testy in his response and left dad without committing to work, he had a conscience and let it work through until he resolved to go. The second was quick with a positive response, but he never did what he said he would do. Having answered correctly, Matthew next records, “He says to them, the ‘Jesus’, ‘Amen! I say to you that the taxmen and the prostitutes.’”
A new word is seen here, porné, a sex worker. Figuratively, it is applied to idolaters. The two categories, taxmen and prostitutes, were about as lowly as one could go in the Israelite society. Understanding that Jesus is speaking to the leaders of Israel, who were rather amazing in their own eyes, the next words must have been very hard for them to receive. These lowly people, Jesus continues, “they precede you into the ‘kingdom, the God.’”
Jesus will explain the reason for His words in the next verse, but it is obvious that they are the second son referred to in the parable. They have said they would do something, but their actions belie their words.
Life application: Think about how God receives people. The Bible says we are saved by grace through faith. No works are included in the equation. And yet, all over the world, people are doing their very best to earn God’s favor in some manner or another.
This is true with the world at large, but the attitude permeates Christianity as well. Much of this is prompted by denominations and churches that mandate certain things from their people, as if those things will make a person right before God.
Obviously, money is one of the big items on such a list. Sometimes, the expectation for money is so inculcated into people that there is no need to mention tithing. The RCC has a pretty good handle on their people giving, even though tithing is not a main weekly teaching.
If you go into a Baptist church, you might hear tithing mentioned two or three times in every meeting you attend. Some churches make it sound like you will receive God’s favor if you give, pulling verses from Scripture out of their context in order to get their followers to give more. But the implication is that in not giving, you are not doing right.
They will use catch phrases, repeating them again and again to assure their followers that giving will mean getting. The great ATM in the sky rewards you with interest every time you give to the church. In the end, such teachings make people feel like they must earn God’s favor.
Other groups of people believe they are inherently good as individuals or as a culture. Because of this, God loves them and will swing the door of salvation open to them just because of who they are. Many Jewish people are certain they are in this category and that they have automatic entrance into heaven because of who they are (Jews).
Jesus sweeps all of this nonsense away. He alone has accomplished what is necessary to be pleasing to God. You cannot buy your way into it, and you are not inherently special enough for God to make an exception for you. The things you possess, the degrees you might have, the family line you belong to, etc., are not exceptions to God’s plan of salvation.
There are those who have received the gospel, accepted Jesus’ payment for their sin, and who will be saved, and there is everyone else. Jesus’ words to the leaders of Israel must have been shocking and offensive to their ears, and this was before He died for their sins. How much more offended must they have been when they were told that they were sinners like all other people, and they would not see heaven without believing the gospel?
But this is how it was, how it is, and how it will be. Jesus alone restores fallen man to God. Let us be wise in our choice and then diligent in our proclamation to others. To the glory of God who sent Jesus to bring us back to Himself!
Lord God Almighty, thank You for receiving lowly people who come to You by faith. Thank You for allowing us to be included in Your wonderful plan of salvation through simple belief in what You have done. All praise, glory, and honor to You forever and ever. Amen.
