Mateo 21:31

31 ¿Cuál de los dos hizo la voluntad del padre? Ellos dijeron<***>: El primero. Jesús les dijo<***>: En verdad os digo que los recaudadores de impuestos y las rameras entran en el reino de Dios antes que vosotros.

Mateo 21:31 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 21:31

Whether of them twain did the will of his father?
&c.] 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 Matthew 9:10).

go into the kingdom of God before you.
They are signified by the first son, who repenting went, and did the will of his father: these repented under John's ministry, were called, and brought to repentance by the preaching of Christ, and his apostles: these justified God, their Father, by being baptized with John's baptism: these embraced the Messiah, believed in him, and were the first in his kingdom, and set an example to the chief among the Jews to follow: and it is easy to observe, that a poor profane sinner may, by the grace of God, be brought to repentance, that before was obstinate, rebellious, and disobedient, and be made willing to go and work in the Lord's vineyard here, and be at last glorified; when a self righteous person, notwithstanding all his fair promises and resolutions to do good, his professions of, and pretensions to religion, neither repents of his sins, nor believes in Christ; has no share in the kingdom of grace here, nor will he enter into the kingdom of glory.

Mateo 21:31 In-Context

29 Y respondiendo él, dijo: "No quiero;" pero después, arrepentido, fue.

30 Y llegándose al otro, le dijo lo mismo; pero él respondió y dijo: "Yo iré, señor"; y no fue.

31 ¿Cuál de los dos hizo la voluntad del padre? Ellos dijeron<***>: El primero. Jesús les dijo<***>: En verdad os digo que los recaudadores de impuestos y las rameras entran en el reino de Dios antes que vosotros.

32 Porque Juan vino a vosotros en camino de justicia y no le creísteis, pero los recaudadores de impuestos y las rameras le creyeron; y vosotros, viendo esto, ni siquiera os arrepentisteis después para creerle.

33 Escuchad otra parábola. Había una vez un hacendado que PLANTO UNA VIÑA Y LA CERCO CON UN MURO, Y CAVO EN ELLA UN LAGAR Y EDIFICO UNA TORRE, la arrendó a unos labradores y se fue de viaje.