Matthew 21:31

“Whether of them twain did the will of his father? etc.] This is the question put by Christ, upon the preceding parable to the chief priests, elders, and Scribes; they say unto him, the first: an answer which natural reason, and common sense, directed them to; and therefore they give it out at once, directly, without staying upon it, and demurring about it; though they seemed not to be aware of the application of it to themselves, which follows: Jesus saith unto them, verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots; that is, such who had been so; (See Gill on “<400910>Matthew 9:10”). go into the kingdom of God before you. They are signified by the first son, who repenting went, and…”

“Whether of them twain did the will of his Father? They say unto him, The first--Now comes the application. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go--or, "are going"; even now entering, while ye hold back. into the kingdom of God before you--The publicans and the harlots were the first son, who, when told to work in the Lord's vineyard, said, I will not; but afterwards repented and went. Their early life was a flat and flagrant refusal to do what they were commanded; it was one continued rebellion against the authority of God. The chief priests and the elders of the people, with whom our Lord was now speaking, were the second son, who said, I go,…”

“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…”

“did: Mat 7:21, Mat 12:50; Eze 33:11; Luk 15:10; Act 17:30; Pe2 3:9 The first: Sa2 12:5-7; Job 15:6; Luk 7:40-42, Luk 19:22; Rom 3:19 Verily: Mat 5:18, Mat 6:5, Mat 18:3 the publicans: Mat 9:9, Mat 20:16; Luk 7:29, Luk 7:37-50, Luk 15:1, Luk 15:2, Luk 19:9, Luk 19:10; Rom 5:20, Rom 9:30-33; Ti1 1:13-16 Matthew 21:32”