Matthew 21:29

“He answered and said, I will not, etc.] Which answer fitly expresses the language and practice of openly profane and unregenerate sinners, who will not come to Christ, that they may have life; nor will they serve the Lord, but are bent upon indulging their lusts; nor will they be subject to the law of God; nor will they hear and receive the Gospel of Christ, or submit to his ordinances, and are averse to every good work: where is man’s free will? this is the true picture of it; man has no will naturally to that which is good. But afterward he repented, and went: a change of mind was wrought in him, and this produced a change of life and conversation: so, many of the publicans and sinners…”

“He answered and said, I will not--TRENCH notices the rudeness of this answer, and the total absence of any attempt to excuse such disobedience, both characteristic; representing careless, reckless sinners resisting God to His face.”

“But what think ye? - A way of speaking designed to direct them particularly to what he was saying, that they might be self-convicted. Two sons - By those two sons our Lord intends to represent the conduct of the Jews, and that of the publicans and sinners. In my vineyard - See the notes at Matthew 21:33. To work in the vineyard here represents the work which God requires man to do. I will not - This had been the language of the publicans and wicked men. They refused at first, and did not “profess” to be willing to go. Repented - Changed his mind. Afterward, at the preaching of John and Christ, the publicans - the wicked - repented and obeyed. The second ...said, I go sir; and went not - This…”

“21:29 I won’t go: This response must have offended Jews who were taught to show outward respect for the authority of a father (see 8:21-22).”

“I will not: Mat 21:31; Jer 44:16; Eph 4:17-19 he repented: Mat 3:2-8; Ch2 33:10-19; Isa 1:16-19, Isa 55:6, Isa 55:7; Eze 18:28-32; Dan 4:34-37; Jon 3:2, Jon 3:8-10; Luk 15:17, Luk 15:18; Act 26:20; Co1 6:11; Eph 2:1-13 Matthew 21:30”