Matthew 21: 28-32 -- Devotional

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Preparation

This is preparation work for a writing project at church in the Spring, that I am contributing to. This will feature more of a devotional focus than most of my work.

Matthew 21:28-32 English Standard Version (ESV) 

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Courson 

'Jesus likened the prostitutes and publicans (tax-collectors, from the ESV quoted, my add) to the first son. They seemed  unlikely candidates to receive John's message, but receive it they did.' On the other hand, like the second son, the pseudo-religious scribes and Pharisees gave only lip service to the preaching of John.' Courson (158).

Ellison 

This is a parable that teaches the 'unworthiness of the religious leaders'. Ellison (1142). Ellison opines 'they must not be transferred from them to the Jews generally.' Ellison (1142).

(These are two general categories, there will be exceptions in each group)

Ellison continues and explains that there are some textual difficulties with 21: 28-32. 'There is good evidence for placing first the son who said 'Yes' and did not go. Ellison (1142-1143). 'Then , a small but significant group of MSS (Manuscripts, my add), which follow the NIV order, have in v. 31 'the second. (1143).

(I present this as scholarly information. Again, my task for this passage and article is largely devotional)

I reason that Ellison is not stating that the NIV follows this order.

Bible Gateway NIV

Cited

29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

Cited

31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered.

France

Matthew 21: 28-32 places a major emphasis on what 'we do.' France (306). The Hebrew religious leaders (chief priest and elders, verse 23) are contrasted with the tax collectors and prostitutes. France (306). France comments that the tax collectors and prostitutes were the most despised people in that society. (306). These people are considered farthest from the Kingdom of God. (306).

These despised ones (the first) received a 'scandalized reaction' (306) from the religious leaders (the second) by Jesus' association with 'such outcasts' (306). The religious leaders were excluded from the Kingdom of God as they rejected the messages of John the Baptist and more importantly, the ministry works and message of Jesus Christ.

The religious leaders rejected the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and his gospel message, even though they observed how this righteousness changed the tax collectors and prostitutes to the better. (306).

COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.

ELLISON, H.L. (1986) ‘Matthew’, in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

FRANCE, R.T. (1985) Matthew, Grand Rapids, IVP, Eerdmans.

Devotional

Conflicting Kingdoms

The first group of tax-collectors and prostitutes were within the actual Kingdom of God, as although their fallen and corrupted nature led to disobedience to God as represented in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible); eventually God was trusted and obeyed in faith, and these people were covered by the applied righteousness of God preached by John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.

Practically these people became godly, and part of the Kingdom of God.

The second group of Hebrew religious leaders were excluded from the actual Kingdom of God, because although they claimed to worship in divine truth and righteousness, the God of the Old Testament, these religious leaders depended on their own religious righteousness and spirituality which was a false representation (fatally corrupted version) of whom God actually is.

These religious leaders claimed allegiance and obedience to God, but in actuality rejected the God of the Old Testament by rejecting progressive divine revelation from the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ and the actual, divine righteousness they represent.

The Judaism of these leaders fused the teachings of the Old Testament and Mosaic Law and with religious rules and social norms which made the divine work of God, void in their lives. Therefore, they naturally rejected the forerunner of the Messiah and the Messiah, himself.

Practically, these people were ungodly and part of a false Kingdom of God.

(We can grant that some in Judaism were true to the Old Testament, in true faith and are in the Kingdom. These people would have accepted Jesus Christ as the Messiah if they existed in his time or later.)

True faith in God is equated with salvation and not necessarily religiosity.