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Matthew 21:30

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 21:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I [go], sir: and went not.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I [go], sir: and went not.
Matthew 21:30 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
27And they answered Jesus, and said, We know not. He also said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
28But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in the vineyard.
29And he answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented himself, and went.
30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I [go], sir: and went not.
31Which of the two did the will of his father? They say, 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.
32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye saw it, did not even repent yourselves afterward, that ye might believe him.
33Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he came to the second, etc.] The Scribes and Pharisees, by the ministry of John the Baptist, Christ, and his apostles also: and said likewise; the same things as to the other son, the publicans and sinners; calling them into the Gospel dispensation, to hear the word, embrace truth, attend on ordinances, and labour in promoting the kingdom, and interest of the Messiah, whilst they had the light of the Gospel with them. Urging also the relation they stood in to God, as a part of the Jewish body; to whom, among other external privileges, the adoption belonged: and he answered and said, I go, sir, and went not: the word “go” is not in the generality of the Greek copies; the phrase is only “I…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir--"I, sir." The emphatic "I," here, denotes the self-righteous complacency which says, "God, I thank thee that I am not as other men" (Luk 18:11). and went not--He did not "afterward repent" and refuse to go; for there was here no intention to go. It is the class that "say and do not" (Mat 23:3) --a falseness more abominable to God, says STIER, than any "I will not."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He answered, I go, sir: but went not - Just so did the scribes and Pharisees: they professed the greatest readiness and zeal in the service of God: but it was bare profession, contradicted by all their actions. Matthew 21:32”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I go: Mat 23:3; Eze 33:31; Rom 2:17-25; Tit 1:16 Matthew 21:31”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification