24
"And I also have a question to ask *you*," replied Jesus, "and if you answer me, I in turn will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25
John's Baptism, whence was it? --had it a heavenly or a human origin?" So they debated the matter among themselves. "If we say `a heavenly origin,'" they argued, "he will say, `Why then did you not believe him?'
26
and if we say `a human origin' we have the people to fear, for they all hold John to have been a Prophet."
27
So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," He replied, "by what authority I do these things."
28
"But give me your judgement. There was a man who had two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "`My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.'
29
"`I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry, and went.
30
He came to the second and spoke in the same manner. His answer was, "`I will go, Sir.' "But he did not go.
31
Which of the two did as his father desired?" "The first," they said. "I solemnly tell you,' replied Jesus, "that the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you.
32
For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him.
33
"Listen to another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, made a fence round it, dug a wine-tank in it, and built a strong lodge; then let the place to vine-dressers, and went abroad.
34
When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes;