He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

MATTHEW 21:29KJV
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Matthew 21:29 (KJV)

What does Matthew 21:29 mean?

Matthew 21:29 tells how one son, when asked by his father to work in the vineyard, first refuses but later changes his mind and goes. This verse highlights a change of heart and action, showing that someone’s initial response can be different from what they eventually do.

In this scene, Jesus is telling a parable to religious leaders in Jerusalem. The story uses a father and his two sons to illustrate a point about obedience and repentance. The focus is on the son who at first says “no” but later “repented” (changed his mind) and did what was asked, setting up a contrast with another son in the next verse.

The Greek behind Matthew 21:29

  • μετεμελήθη (metemelēthē, “repented”): This Greek word means to feel regret or to change one’s mind. In this verse, it shows that the son didn’t just feel bad—he actually decided to act differently than he first said.
  • ὕστερον (hysteron, “afterward”): This word points to a delay between the son’s refusal and his change of heart. The timing matters, showing that the right action came later, not immediately.

Why Matthew 21:29 matters

  • Matthew 21:29 clarifies that actions can speak louder than words; someone’s initial refusal does not define their final obedience.
  • The verse sets up a lesson about true repentance and doing what is right, not just saying the right things, which is a key theme in Jesus’ teaching to the religious leaders.
  • This story connects to the wider passage, where Jesus challenges assumptions about who is truly faithful or obedient to God, using the sons as examples.

Where else these words appear

“repented” Greek G3338 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 21:32 For 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.
  • Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
  • 2 Corinthians 7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

“afterward” Greek G5305 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
  • Matthew 22:27 And last of all the woman died also.
  • Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

“went” Greek G565 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
  • Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.