Matthew 21:32

“For John came unto you in a way of righteousness, etc.] He had a commission from God; he was no impostor; the doctrine he taught was true, and which he faithfully delivered; his life and conversation were unblamable; there was nothing in his credentials, ministry, and conduct, that could justly be found fault with: and ye believed him not; to be the forerunner of the Messiah, or the Elias that was to come; nor attended to the doctrine of repentance preached by him, nor were subject to the ordinance of baptism he administered; nor gave any assent, or credit, to the Messiah he so manifestly pointed out: but the publicans and harlots believed him; what he said concerning the wrath to come, and…”

“For John came unto you in the way of righteousness--that is, calling you to repentance; as Noah is styled "a preacher of righteousness" (Pe2 2:5), when like the Baptist he warned the old world to "flee from the wrath to come." and ye believed him not--They did not reject him; nay, they "were willing for a season to rejoice in his light" (Joh 5:35); but they would not receive his testimony to Jesus. but the publicans and the harlots believed him--Of the publicans this is twice expressly recorded, Luk 3:12; Luk 7:29. Of the harlots, then, the same may be taken for granted, though the fact is not expressly recorded. These outcasts gladly believed the testimony of John to the coming Saviour, and…”

“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…”

“John came in a way of righteousness - Walking in it, as well as teaching it. The publicans and harlots - The most notorious sinners were reformed, though at first they said, I will not. And ye seeing the amazing change which was wrought in them, though at first ye said, I go, sir, repented not afterward - Were no more convinced than before. O how is this scripture fulfilled at this day! Matthew 21:33”

“21:32 The right way to live is in conformity to God’s will (3:15; 5:20; see also Prov 8:20; 12:28).”

“came: Mat 3:1-8; Isa 35:8; Jer 6:16; Luk 3:8-13; Pe2 2:21 and ye believed: Mat 21:25, Mat 11:18; Luk 7:29, Luk 7:30; Joh 5:33-36; Act 13:25-29 the publicans: Luk 7:37-50 repented: Psa 81:11, Psa 81:12; Zac 7:11, Zac 7:12; Joh 5:37-40; Ti2 2:25; Heb 3:12, Heb 6:6-8; Rev 2:21 Matthew 21:33”