Its not just what you say that counts but what you do after you have said what you said.
A Parable told to the leaders of Israel.
Mat 21:28 "But give me your judgement. There was a man who had two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "'My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.'
Mat 21:29 "'I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry, and went.
Mat 21:30 He came to the second and spoke in the same manner. His answer was, "'I will go, Sir.' "But he did not go.
Mat 21:31 Which of the two did as his father desired?" "The first," they said. "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you.
Mat 21:32 For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him.
Introduction.
Under the emblem or example of these two sons, one of whom was a libertine, disobedient, and insolent, but who afterwards thought on his ways, and returned to his duty; and the second, a hypocrite, who promised all, and did nothing; our Lord points out, on the one hand, the tax-gatherers and sinners of all descriptions, who, convicted by the preaching of John and that of Christ, turned away from their iniquities and embraced the Gospel; and, on the other hand, the scribes, Pharisees, and self-righteous people, who, pretending a zeal for the law, would not receive the salvation of the Gospel.
Mat 21:28 "But give me your judgement. There was a man who had two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "'My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.'
Notes
"But give me your judgement. Jesus wants these self-righteous High Priests and Pharisees to give their opinion or what they thought of these two sons.
Jesus was the master story-teller and the application of his stories had profound effects.
The whole parable revolves around the reaction of the sons to the father’s instruction."'My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.'
Mat 21:29 "'I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry, and went.
Notes
"'I will not,' he replied. The first reaction is not necessarily the final outcome. It seems that this son was reactive, rebellious, and outrightly insolent. However, after thinking about his attitude he was sorry and went to work.
Jesus compares this son to those who were thieves and swindlers and sinners who were immoral prostitutes and outcasts. "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you. v.31
Mat 21:30 He came to the second and spoke in the same manner. His answer was, "'I will go, Sir.' "But he did not go.
Notes
The Second Son said he would go but did not. Here he is examining the question of entering the Kingdom of God. These Jesus compares to the Religious hypocrites who pretend to be righteous but never enter into Eternal Life.
Mat 21:31 Which of the two did as his father desired?" "The first," they said. "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you.
Those who are unworthy and who come under conviction often more ready to be changed than those who make an outward show.
Are you willing to change and be transformed by the Grace and loving kindness of God who will forgive you your sin and bring you into His Kingdom. Jesus will wash you clean, and declare you justified in His sight.
Mat 21:32 For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him.
Notes
John came in the way of righteousness - Many of them have believed, but you have not. That is, in the right way, or teaching the way to be righteous; to wit, by repentance. Publicans and harlots heard him and became righteous, but they did not. They saw it, but, as in one thousand other cases, it did not produce the proper effect on them, and they would not repent. BarnesJohn came in the way of righteousness - Many of them have believed, but you have not. That is, in the right way, or teaching the way to be righteous; to wit, by repentance. Publicans and harlots heard him and became righteous, but they did not. They saw it, but, as in one thousand other cases, it did not produce the proper effect on them, and they would not repent.
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