Matthew 21:24-31

English Standard Version

²⁴ Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵ The baptism of John, ^(A)from where did it come? ^(B)From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ^(C)‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ²⁶ But if we say, ‘From man,’ ^(D)we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was ^(E)a prophet.” ²⁷ So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

^28 (F)“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in ^(G)the vineyard today.’ ²⁹ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he ^(H)changed his mind and went. ³⁰ And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. ³¹ Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, ^(I)the tax collectors and ^(J)the prostitutes go into ^(K)the kingdom of God before you.