Matthew 21:32
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For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
For John came unto you in the way of righteousness--that is, calling you to repentance; as Noah is styled "a preacher of righteousness" (Pe2 2:5), when like the Baptist he warned the old world to "flee from the wrath to come." and ye believed him not--They did not reject him; nay, they "were willing for a season to rejoice in his light" (Joh 5:35); but they would not receive his testimony to Jesus. but the publicans and the harlots believed him--Of the publicans this is twice expressly recorded, Luk 3:12; Luk 7:29. Of the harlots, then, the same may be taken for granted, though the fact is not expressly recorded. These outcasts gladly believed the testimony of John to the coming Saviour, and so hastened to Jesus when He came. See Luk 7:37; Luk 15:1, &c. and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him--Instead of being "provoked to jealousy" by their example, ye have seen them flocking to the Saviour and getting to heaven, unmoved. Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (Mat 21:33-46).
Open source ↗21:32 The right way to live is in conformity to God’s will (3:15; 5:20; see also Prov 8:20; 12:28).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them.
And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it— only those who walk in the Way— and fools will not stray onto it.
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’
He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling.
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’