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Explanation for:
Matthew
21
:
31
Which of the two did the father's will? They say to him: The first. Jesus saith to them: Amen I say to you, that the publicans and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you.
13
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"To ensure that the Jewish people recognize their own culpability, the Savior allows them to declare their own judgment. This is echoed in the subsequent parable involving the vineyard. In this instance, Christ cleverly leads the Jews to condemn themselves through the actions of others. Although they are reluctant to admit their fault directly, He steers them toward the intended lesson by using a parable. When they pronounce a sentence without grasping its significance, He unveils the deeper meaning and states, “The publicans and harlots go ahead of you into the kingdom of God; for John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and harlots believed him: and ye, when ye saw it, repented not afterward to believe him.” Had He merely stated, “Whoremongers will enter the kingdom of God before you,” His words would have been hard for them to bear. However, since they have voiced their own verdict, His proclamation comes across with less severity. \\n\\nImportantly, when He mentions “ahead of you,” it is not a declaration that the Jews will trail behind the tax collectors, but rather an invitation for them, if they choose, to enter the kingdom of God as well. Indeed, nothing stirs indignation among the proud quite like envy. Thus, Christ consistently asserts that “the last shall be first, and the first last.” He uses the examples of harlots and tax collectors to provoke jealousy among the Jews. The sins committed by these individuals—those of lust and greed—are rooted in a base love: love for the flesh in one instance and love for wealth in the other. Moreover, Christ illustrates that to have faith in John is to genuinely adhere to God’s law. Therefore, the harlots do not gain entry into the kingdom by mere grace; they do so through a commitment to truth, approaching not as harlots but as transformed believers in purity. Do you perceive how Christ, through the parable and reference to the harlots, softens His message for the Jews while also delivering a powerful truth?"},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"\\"Which of them fulfilled the will of his father?\\" They, understanding correctly, replied, \\"The other.\\" He did not phrase it as, \\"Which of the two, in your view, am I going to,\\" but rather, \\"Which...has fulfilled the will of his father?\\" Hence, \\"the tax collectors and sinners will enter the kingdom of heaven before you,\\" because while you speak of promises, they act in accordance with their deeds."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The second refers to the Son, specifically the people of Judah, who responded to Moses, \\"All that the Lord saith, we will do\\" (Exodus 24:3). According to the New Synodal Translation, it states, \\"All that the Lord hath said we will do.\\" However, they did not enter the vineyard because, after having slain the Son of the master, they viewed themselves as heirs. Some interpret this parable not as a commentary on Gentiles and Jews, but rather as a representation of sinners and the righteous, as the Lord further clarifies. Truly, I say unto you, the publicans and harlots are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you, for those who, despite their sinful actions, repented and accepted the baptism of John have been granted entrance. In contrast, the Pharisees, who valued their own righteousness and took pride in observing the law's commandments, dismissed John's baptism and adhered rigidly to God's commandments. Therefore, He declares:"},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The first son symbolizes those who relied on the Pharisees. Despite being called by God through the prophecy of John to follow His commandments, they remained proud, rebellious, and resistant to His admonitions. They trusted in the law, turned away from repentance for their sins, and proudly claimed their lineage from Abraham. Eventually, they came to believe after witnessing the miracles accomplished by the apostles following the Lord's resurrection. They returned to the gospel through an act of faith, repenting and acknowledging the fault of their earlier arrogance. The second son represents the tax collectors and sinners who initially reverted to their sinful ways. John instructed them to anticipate salvation through Christ, to be baptized, and to place their faith in Him. When the Lord explains in the parable that the second son did not act against the promise, it indicates that these individuals accepted John's message. However, they were unable to embrace the teachings of the gospel through the apostles until after the Lord had suffered, as that was when the means of salvation were to be fulfilled. He does not claim that they outright refused to go; rather, he states that they simply did not go. This does not render them guilty of disbelief, as it was challenging for them to undertake such a path. Thus, it can be understood that the second son did not immediately wish to fulfill the requirement, not out of willful disobedience, but rather due to an inability to do so. This highlights the theme of necessary delay rather than an intent to resist."},{"author-name":"John Damascene","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88f1652142a026a0c6d53_John%20Damascene.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":8,"exegesis-text":"Dear brethren, I urge all of you who are called faithful and are privileged to be recognized as the people of Christ. Let us uphold the honor of our name and not tarnish our faith through wicked actions. Being labeled as believers is insufficient; we must demonstrate our faith through our actions. The Scriptures recount the story of a father with two sons. To the first, he said, \\"Go and labor in the vineyard.\\" That son promised to go but did not carry out his word. The father spoke to the second son with the same request. Although this son initially refused verbally, he ultimately fulfilled his father's wishes through his actions; thus, the first son deserves reprimand, while the latter merits commendation (Matthew 21:28-31). \\n\\nIn a similar manner, let us reflect on the renunciation and commitment we made during our Baptism. We must deny the devil, his angels, and all his undertakings to remain steadfast in our vows. The works of the adversary include adultery, envy, conflict, hypocrisy, slander, malice, and judgment. Indicators of disbelief are mercilessness, hatred, worldly love, lustful desires, greed, extravagance, and intoxication. To serve the enemy is to embrace pride, vanity, self-centeredness, and obsession with earthly adornments. \\n\\nHaving turned away from all these, let us hold fast to Christ and rejoice in the virtues of purity, chastity, humility, patience, peace, love, compassion, mercy, generosity towards the needy, decency in how we present ourselves, justice, and especially in the humiliation of Christ. As we partake in Christ's sufferings, may we also share in His glory and offer to God, the Father, a living and holy sacrifice in the assembly of the firstborn, in the house of joy."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Lord presents two distinct groups of individuals. The first group consists of those who initially made a commitment, exemplified by the Jews, who declared: 'All that God hath said, we will do and obey.' The second group includes those who started in disobedience, such as the harlots, tax collectors, and Gentiles. While these individuals initially turned away from God's desires, they ultimately repented and chose to follow His ways. Observe the insight of Christ: rather than proclaiming to the Pharisees that 'publicans and sinners are better than you,' He first engaged them in dialogue. They acknowledged that, among the two sons, the one who truly fulfilled his father's wishes was the one who took action."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Which of the two fulfills the will of the Father? They responded, \\"The first.\\" He makes them declare it themselves, as it is said, to render judgment upon themselves. Then He turns to the tax collectors and sinners, rebuking them even more sternly. Jesus declared to them, \\"Amen, I say to you, that tax collectors and sinners are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.\\" He refers to those who repented and were baptized during John's ministry as tax collectors and sinners. \\"Boiled,\\" meaning warned. He then clarifies the reason and demonstrates how they are warned, stating:"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"WHICH OF THE TWO HAS FULFILLED THE WILL OF THE FATHER?\\" asked the Lord, directing His gaze at the scribes. The questioners were still unaware of the direction of the parable, and through their haughty, assertive response, they sought to demonstrate that they felt no personal connection to it. They replied, \\"Certainly, You are the FIRST.” In this moment, the Lord led them to pass judgment on themselves, to condemn their own actions through the lens of another. “Since they refused to acknowledge their wrongdoing themselves, Christ uses the parable to guide them to His intent,” St. Chrysostom remarks, “and then begins to unveil the meaning behind His parable.” JESUS remarked to them, “Is it not the case that the same applies to you? I TRULY TELL YOU THAT THE TAX COLLECTORS AND HARLOTS, whom you despise, ARE ENTERING BEFORE YOU INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD, while you, who believe you are entitled to it, will find yourselves excluded from it. You could have followed the tax collectors and harlots into the kingdom if you had turned away from your sins; yet, you have become incapable of repentance, a fact that is evident in your actions.\\""},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"Which of the two fulfilled the will of the Father?\\" The listeners, not grasping the parable's significance, correctly responded, \\"the first,\\" and the Lord then unveiled the parable's meaning, designed to admonish them, thus leading them to judge themselves by stating, \\"the first.\\" Those who go ahead of you found themselves more prepared and deserving to enter the kingdom of Christ or the church of Christendom. If He had merely stated, \\"The sinners will enter the kingdom of God before you,\\" His words would have appeared harsh to them. However, since they themselves have expressed this judgment, His words no longer seem so harsh to them. He provides a reason for this: John was sent to you, not to them, and he proclaimed righteousness, for you cannot accuse him of carelessness or ineffectiveness; he led a life without blemish and was diligent. Yet, despite this, you did not heed him. Then comes another rebuke—the tax collectors believed. Additionally, you, after witnessing these events, did not come to believe as you should have long before. This is a sin that cannot be overlooked. Why is there high praise for the tax collectors, yet condemnation for you? For John was sent to you, and you did not accept him; he came to the tax collectors, and they welcomed him, while you were not inspired by their example. The phrase \\"they go before you\\" does not imply that the Jews follow the tax collectors but signifies that they too can enter the kingdom of God if they choose to do so. For nothing rouses the unruly so much as fervor. Among the two sons, some of the early commentators (including St. Chrysostom) interpret the first as referring to the Gentiles and the second to the Jews: the first son, who didn’t initially promise obedience and disregarded the law, ultimately obeyed, while the latter, despite proclaiming, \\"We will do all that God commands,\\" failed to comply with the law. Though the interpretation provided by the Lord does not explicitly convey this message, it aligns with the broader understanding found in both the Old and New Testaments, creating an enlightening perspective."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The parable of the two sons Then Jesus asked them, \\"Will you respond to another question? A man had two sons and he sent them to work in his vineyard. One initially refused to go, but later felt remorse, repented, and went; the other expressed willingness by saying, 'I will go,' but did not follow through. Which of the two fulfilled his father's will?\\" They replied, \\"The first, without a doubt.\\" Jesus affirmed, \\"You have answered rightly.\\" Now, consider the deeper meaning of this parable. The Lord called you to repentance through John, which is essential for entering the kingdom of God, and sought the worthy fruits of that repentance; in essence, He invited you to labor in His vineyard. He also extended this call to tax collectors and sinners. It appeared that those of you who took pride in your understanding of the Scriptures would respond more readily to His calling than those who openly sinned. Yet, despite your outward show of piety, you consistently claimed, \\"I am coming, Lord,\\" while remaining inactive. You did not heed John's message. In contrast, the tax collectors and sinners, who initially turned away from God's will, upon hearing John, became aware, repented, and took up their work in the Lord's vineyard. You witnessed this change, yet you did not turn away from your ways; you rejected John's call. Therefore, recognize that tax collectors and sinners are advancing ahead of you toward the Kingdom of God; many of them will enter before you, while you face rejection.\\" The members of the Sanhedrin, who had come to the temple as accusers, now stood silently before Jesus and the multitude, condemned."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As the esteemed leaders of the people gathered, Jesus shared several parables that were closely connected to them and the broader Jewish community. One such parable involved two sons. The first son initially refused his father's request but later repented and obeyed, while the second son gave a flattering promise but did not follow through. Jesus then posed the question: “Which of the two has done his father's will?” Naturally, they answered, “the first.” He then highlighted the profound implications of their response, indicating that it was the very tax collectors and sinners—those they scorned and looked down upon—who were demonstrating the path to the kingdom of heaven. These outcasts, despite their evident transgressions against the law, had already entered through the gates of grace while they were still open, in stark contrast to the learned and respected leaders who remained outside."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Continuing His teachings, the Lord Jesus Christ used powerful parables to highlight the unrepentant and hard-hearted nature of the Jews, revealing the grim consequences that awaited them, prompting them to judge themselves. “What do you think you are?” He inquired, aiming to capture their attention before delivering His message: “A certain man had two sons, and he went to the first and said, ‘Child, go work in my vineyard today.’ He responded, ‘I will not,’ but later changed his mind and went. The father then approached the second son and said the same. He replied, ‘I will, Lord,’ but did not go.” Not fully grasping the significance of the parable and viewing themselves as above reproach, the Jews declared, “The first.” In the Lord’s view, the vineyard represented His merciful kingdom, to which He called all the children of Israel, heirs of the ancient promises of God, both through John the Baptist and directly through Himself (Rom. 9:4). While those despised by society—tax collectors and sinners, the seemingly disobedient sons of the Heavenly Father—responded to this call with sincere repentance and embarked on the path to God’s kingdom, the scribes and Pharisees, who believed themselves to be leaders of the blind and guides to the lost, were revealed to be disobedient children. They took the key of knowledge (Luke 11:52) and, despite their apparent zeal for the law and its observance, became unwavering adversaries of the Kingdom of God. “Amen, I say to you,” the Lord declared to them, “that tax collectors and sinners are entering the Kingdom of God before you; for John the Baptist came to you in the way of righteousness. You, as representatives of the people, should have been the first to embrace the truth of his message, but you did not believe him, while tax collectors and sinners did believe.” You did not experience repentance, even after witnessing his teachings."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In this parable, Christ critiques the disbelief of the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees. This is clarified by Christ's own interpretation of the parable (vv. 31-32). The father in the story symbolizes God; the first son, who initially rejected his father's command but later repented and complied, represents the tax collectors and sinners. The second son, who superficially proclaimed his willingness to obey his father yet failed to do so in practice, symbolizes the law's representatives—namely, the teachers, chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees. The former group, through their sinful actions, clearly turned away from God's will, but upon the arrival of the Messiah, for whom Israel had been prepared, they repented in response to John the Baptist's message. The latter, despite their outward piety and claims of obedience, demonstrated that they would be the last to engage in the work of the kingdom of the Messiah when the time came. In reality, they were disbelievers in John's message and were unmoved by the repentance of tax collectors and harlots who turned to the ways of the law and faith in the Messiah."}]}
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