The first son did what the father wanted.

Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering God's kingdom ahead of the listeners.

Jesus says the most respected people go first because of their standing.

The verse says obedience does not matter if someone has a religious reputation.

Do the Father's will, even if your past makes you feel unworthy

Assume your status means you do not need to change

Admire obedience in others while postponing your own obedience

Rely on religious language instead of real action

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I confess that I have sinned and have not done the Father's will. I turn from my sin and from trusting my own goodness. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. Forgive me, make me new, and receive me into your kingdom. Be my Lord and lead my life from this day on. Amen.

Receive Me Into Your Kingdom

Lord, revive your Church. Free us from pride, comparison, and empty words. Make us quick to do the Father's will, humble enough to repent, and glad to welcome the people we once dismissed. Wake us up to the life of your kingdom, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Make Your People Obey

Give thanks for God's mercy toward unlikely people; thank him that obedience matters more than reputation; praise him for welcoming repentant sinners into his kingdom.

Thank You for the Kingdom's Reversal

Name one place where you have been like the son who spoke but did not do. Tell God the truth, ask for a willing heart, and choose one clear next act of obedience.

Pray About the Gap Between Words and Obedience

Father, give me a heart that loves your will more than my image. Keep me from excuses, comparisons, and self-importance. Teach me to obey quickly and honestly, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

A Willing Heart

Pray for people who feel unworthy, people with messy pasts, and people whom others have written off, that they would know your kingdom is open to repentant hearts.

Pray for the Overlooked

τίς{TEES###TEES###Which one} ἐκ{EK###EHK###of} τῶν{TON###TOHN###the} δύο{DEE-o###DEE-oh###two} ἐποίησεν{e-pee-EE-sen###eh-pee-EE-sehn###did} τὸ{TO###TOH###the} θέλημα{THE-lee-ma###THEH-lee-mah###will of} τοῦ{TOO###TOO###the} πατρός;{pa-TROS###pah-TROHS###father} ⸀λέγουσιν·{LE-goo-sin###LEH-goo-sin###They say} Ὁ{HO###HOH###The} ⸀πρῶτος.{PRO-tos###PROH-tohs###first} λέγει{LE-yee###LEH-yee###(He) says} αὐτοῖς{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###to them} ὁ{HO###HOH###(the)} Ἰησοῦς·{ee-ee-SOOS###ee-ee-SOOS###Jesus} Ἀμὴν{a-MEEN###ah-MEEN###Truly} λέγω{LE-go###LEH-goh###I say} ὑμῖν{hee-MEEN###hee-MEEN###to you} ὅτι{HO-tee###HOH-tee###that} οἱ{EE###EE###the} τελῶναι{te-LO-ne###teh-LOH-neh###tax collectors} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} αἱ{HE###HEH###the} πόρναι{POR-ne###POHR-neh###prostitutes} προάγουσιν{pro-A-goo-sin###proh-AH-goo-sin###(They) go before} ὑμᾶς{hee-MAS###hee-MAHS###you} εἰς{EES###EES###into} τὴν{TEEN###TEEN###the} βασιλείαν{va-si-LEE-an###vah-si-LEE-ahn###kingdom of} τοῦ{TOO###TOO###(the)} θεοῦ.{the-OO###theh-OO###God}

Matthew 21 : 31 - Obedience | Reversal | Sovereignty

“Which of the two did the will of his father?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus  said to them, “Truly I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes go ahead of you into the kingdom of God .”

	Alpha	ah — as in father
	Upsilon	i — as in machine
	Tau	t — as in top
	Omicron	o — as in omit (short)
	Iota	i — as in machine
	Sigma (final)	s — used only at end of words

αὐτοῖς

Meaning by language

Greek · tap a syllable to hear it

Alphabet Analysis

The word

Word in context

Exegesis

In context — Matthew 21:31

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