Matthew 21:32
What does Matthew 21:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 21:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 21:32 means
Jesus explained His application of the parable, stating that John the Baptist came "in the way of righteousness," presenting God's truth. While the tax collectors and prostitutes believed John and repented, the religious leaders did not. Even after witnessing the genuine repentance of others, the leaders still refused to change their minds or believe. This highlights their hardened hearts and their rejection of God's messengers.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye saw it, did not even repent yourselves afterward, that ye might believe him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye saw it, did not even repent yourselves afterward, that ye might believe him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you had no faith in him, but the tax-farmers and the loose women had faith in him: and you, when you saw it, did not even have regret for your sins, so as to have faith in him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for 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.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For John came to you in the way of justice: and you did not believe him. But the publicans and the harlots believed him: but you, seeing it, did not even afterwards repent, that you might believe him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the tax-gatherers and the harlots believed him; but ye when ye saw [it] repented not yourselves afterwards to believe him.
Context
This verse further explains and elaborates on the startling conclusion of the parable of the two sons, directly following Jesus' declaration about publicans and harlots entering the Kingdom first. It clarifies the reason for the leaders' condemnation, pointing to their rejection of John the Baptist's ministry. This explanation wraps up the first parable and prepares the audience for the second, more intense, parable.
v.31Which of the two did the will of his father? They say, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
v.32This passage
v.33Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 6:6
and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
- Matthew 21:25
The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?
- Hebrews 3:12
Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God:
- Luke 7:29
And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
- John 5:33
Ye have sent unto John, and he hath borne witness unto the truth.
- Matthew 11:18
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon.
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