28 'And what think ye? A man had two children, and having come to the first, he said, Child, go, to-day be working in my vineyard.' 29 And he answering said, 'I will not,' but at last, having repented, he went. 30 'And having come to the second, he said in the same manner, and he answering said, I 'go', sir, and went not; 31 which of the two did the will of the father?' They say to him, 'The first.' Jesus saith to them, 'Verily I say to you, that the tax-gatherers and the harlots do go before you into the reign of God, 32 for John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye did not believe him, and the tax-gatherers and the harlots did believe him, and ye, having seen, repented not at last—to believe him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 21:28-32
Commentary on Matthew 21:28-32
(Read Matthew 21:28-32)
Parables which give reproof, speak plainly to the offenders, and judge them out of their own mouths. The parable of the two sons sent to work in the vineyard, is to show that those who knew not John's baptism to be of God, were shamed by those who knew it, and owned it. The whole human race are like children whom the Lord has brought up, but they have rebelled against him, only some are more plausible in their disobedience than others. And it often happens, that the daring rebel is brought to repentance and becomes the Lord's servant, while the formalist grows hardened in pride and enmity.