Matthew 21:31

“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.”

Context:Matthew 21:31 is part of a larger passage known as the Parable of the Two Sons. In this parable, Jesus is addressing the chief priests and elders who questioned His authority. He uses the parable to highlight the contrast between outward religious appearances and genuine obedience to God.

Understanding the Parable:In the parable, a man asks his two sons to go and work in his vineyard. The first son initially refuses but later changes his mind and goes to work. The second son agrees to go but does not follow through. When Jesus asks the question in verse 31, the religious leaders correctly respond that it was the first son who did the will of his father.

Lesson of Obedience:The primary lesson of this parable is the importance of genuine obedience. The religious leaders, represented by the second son, appeared pious and religious but failed to live out the will of God in their lives. On the other hand, the tax collectors and prostitutes, represented by the first son, had initially rejected God’s commandments but later repented and turned to God. Their actions demonstrated a genuine change of heart.

Challenging Religious Hypocrisy:Jesus uses this parable to challenge the religious hypocrisy prevalent among the chief priests and elders. While they held positions of authority and claimed to be righteous, they failed to practice true obedience to God. The tax collectors and prostitutes, who were traditionally considered sinners, were more receptive to Jesus’ teachings and were willing to repent and follow Him.

Entrance to the Kingdom:Jesus concludes the parable by saying that the tax collectors and prostitutes would enter the kingdom of God before the religious leaders. This statement emphasizes that true repentance and obedience are the keys to entering God’s kingdom. It also highlights the fact that outward religious observance alone is insufficient if it is not accompanied by a genuine relationship with God.

Application:The Parable of the Two Sons challenges us to examine our own lives and ask ourselves if we are merely going through the motions of religion or if we have a genuine, obedient relationship with God. It reminds us that God values sincere repentance and a willingness to obey Him over empty religious practices.

• In summary:Matthew 21:31 teaches us the importance of genuine obedience to God. It challenges religious hypocrisy and emphasizes that true repentance and obedience are necessary for entering God’s kingdom.