Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

MATTHEW 21:31KJV
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Matthew 21:31 (KJV)

What does Matthew 21:31 mean?

Matthew 21:31 shows Jesus telling religious leaders that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering God’s kingdom ahead of them, because these outcasts responded to God’s call while the leaders did not. Jesus uses a parable to highlight that actually doing God’s will matters more than claiming to do it.

Jesus is speaking to the chief priests and elders in Jerusalem, using a story about two sons to challenge their assumptions about obedience. The leaders admit that the first son, who at first refused but later obeyed, did the father’s will. Jesus then draws a sharp contrast: those considered sinful (tax collectors and prostitutes) are responding to God’s message, while the religious leaders, despite their status, are not.

The Greek behind Matthew 21:31

  • "πρώτος" (prōtos, "first"): This word refers to the first son in the parable, emphasizing the one who actually did what the father wanted, even though he initially refused. The order matters because it highlights a reversal of expectations.
  • "τελῶναι" (telōnai, "publicans" or "tax collectors") and "πόρναι" (pornai, "harlots" or "prostitutes"): These terms point to people seen as morally and socially outcast. Jesus’ use of these specific groups makes his point especially striking to his audience.
  • "προάγουσιν" (proagousin, "go before"): This word means to go ahead or precede. Jesus is not saying the leaders are excluded, but that those they look down on are entering God’s kingdom first, turning social expectations upside down.

Why Matthew 21:31 matters

  • Matthew 21:31 clears up the idea that outward religious appearance or status guarantees favor with God; instead, genuine response and obedience are what count.
  • The verse highlights a major theme in Jesus’ teaching: God welcomes those who repent and respond, no matter their past, while warning those who are self-assured in their religious standing.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage, where Jesus repeatedly challenges the religious leaders’ understanding of righteousness and their rejection of his message.

Where else these words appear

“harlots” Greek G4204 · used in 12 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.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
  • Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

“go” Greek G4254 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
  • Mark 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
  • Acts 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

“publicans” Greek G5057 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
  • Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
  • Luke 5:30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

“will” Greek G2307 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  • Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
  • Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;