Matthew 21:29-31
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The Greek word used for "repented" here signifies a change of mind driven by regret over consequences, rather than the deep, Spirit-led transformation implied by the word for "repentance" used elsewhere. This son's change wasn't necessarily about moral sorrow for disobeying, but perhaps annoyance at the consequences or a sudden recognition that going after all was the wiser choice.
And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this parable, Jesus is responding to the chief priests and elders who questioned His authority. He tells the story of a father who asks his two sons to work in his vineyard; the first son flatly refuses but later has a change of heart and goes, while the second son agrees but never goes. Jesus then asks His questioners which son actually obeyed their father, setting up the contrast for His subsequent explanation.
The Bible uses different words for repentance. In this parable, the son's 'repentance' is a change of mind that leads to action, but it's not the same deep transformation the prophets called for.
In Matthew 21:29, the son says 'I will not,' but then 'he repented and went.' The Greek word used here for 'repented' (metamelomai) often signifies regret or a change of mind, especially concerning a specific action or its consequences. It's different from the more profound word 'metanoeō', which implies a complete heart and life transformation, a turning away from sin that leads to salvation.
Think of it this way: the first son's 'I will not' was raw, immediate disobedience. His subsequent 'repentance' was a realization that not going would have negative consequences or perhaps a simple shift in his feelings about the task. It led him to do the father's will, but the reason for the change is key. It wasn't necessarily a deep spiritual awakening, but a turning from his initial refusal.
Jesus uses this story to expose hypocrisy. The son who first refused, but then obeyed, is shown to be better than those who outwardly agree but never act.
Jesus tells this parable to make a powerful point about who truly honors God. He's not excusing the son's initial defiance. Instead, he's highlighting that a stated intention, even a polite one, means nothing without action.
The religious leaders of Jesus' day often presented themselves as obedient, yet their hearts were far from God. They claimed to follow God's law but rejected John the Baptist and Jesus himself. The parable contrasts their empty words with the actions of those considered sinners—like tax collectors and prostitutes—who, despite their initial refusal, eventually heard John and Jesus, changed their minds, and followed.
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Ultimately, Jesus declares that these 'sinners' are entering the Kingdom of God before the outwardly religious, because their actions, following a change of heart, demonstrated a truer form of obedience.
Understand the original words
metamelomai · Greek Verb
A process of repentance or a fundamental shift in purpose and direction. It signifies turning away from a previous refusal to obey God and turning toward active obedience.
basileia tou Theou · Greek Noun
The sovereign rule and reign of God over His creation, His people, and the hearts of believers, which is inaugurated in Christ and consummated in the eternal state.
telōnēs · Greek Noun
A person who collects public revenues, often viewed in the New Testament as socially alienated, corrupt, and collaborator with the Roman occupation, yet frequently open to the message of repentance.
The word 'repented' here suggests a change of mind or regret, distinct from the deeper, Spirit-wrought transformation associated with true repentance. This nuance highlights how even a superficial regret can lead to obedience, contrasting sharply with the hardened hearts of the religious leaders.
c. AD 28-30
John the Baptist's Ministry
John preaches a baptism of repentance, calling people to turn to God. Many, including tax collectors and sinners, respond and are baptized.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus teaches, heals, and performs miracles, often associating with 'sinners' and tax collectors, drawing the ire of religious leaders.
c. AD 33
Jesus Clears the Temple
Jesus dramatically drives out money changers and merchants from the temple courts, challenging the religious establishment directly.
c. AD 33
Jesus' Authority Questioned
The chief priests and elders confront Jesus in the temple, demanding to know by what authority he acted, seeking to trap him.
c. AD 33— this verse
Parable of the Two Sons
In response to the question about authority, Jesus tells the parable of two sons, one who refused his father's command but later obeyed, and one who agreed but did not go.
c. AD 33
Jesus Contrasts Religious Leaders and Sinners
Jesus reveals the parable's meaning: the religious leaders are like the son who agreed but didn't go, while tax collectors and prostitutes are like the son who refused but then obeyed, entering God's kingdom first.
This parable highlights how genuine repentance, even from those considered 'sinners,' brings immense joy to God, mirroring the second son's change of heart after initial defiance.
2 Corinthians 7:10This passage distinguishes between godly sorrow that leads to repentance and worldly sorrow that brings only regret, aligning with the nuance of the word used for the second son's change of mind.
Matthew 21:31Jesus directly uses the parable to state that tax collectors and prostitutes, who initially refused but later acted, will enter the kingdom of God before the religious leaders who outwardly agreed but did not act.
Hebrews 7:21This verse mentions God not regretting His oath, contrasting with the kind of 'regret' or after-thought the second son experienced before obeying, showing a different usage of a related word.
Matthew 27:3Judas Iscariot also experienced a change of mind ('regretted' or 'had after-care') about his actions, yet his was a remorse leading to despair, not the repentance that leads to obedience.
vincentMatthew 21:29: "He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went."
Repented (μεταμεληθεὶς)This is a different word from that in Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; μετανοεῖτε, Repent ye. Though it is fairly claimed that the word here implies all that is implied in the other word, the New Testament writers evidently recognize a distinction, since the noun which corresponds to the verb in this passage (μεταμέλεια) is not used at all in the New Testament, and the verb itself only fi…
ellicottMatthew 21:29: "He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went."
(29) I will not. —The bold defiance of the answer answers to the rough recklessness of the classes (publicans and harlots) who were represented by the “first” of the two sons. Their whole life, up to the time of their conversion, had been an open refusal to keep God’s laws, and so to work in His vineyard. He repented.—The Greek word is not the same as that of Matthew 3:2, and expresses rather the regretful c…
The Greek word used for "repented" here signifies a change of mind driven by regret over consequences, rather than the deep, Spirit-led transformation implied by the word for "repentance" used elsewhere. This son's change wasn't necessarily about moral sorrow for disobeying, but perhaps annoyance at the consequences or a sudden recognition that going after all was the wiser choice.
In this parable, Jesus is responding to the chief priests and elders who questioned His authority. He tells the story of a father who asks his two sons to work in his vineyard; the first son flatly refuses but later has a change of heart and goes, while the second son agrees but never goes. Jesus then asks His questioners which son actually obeyed their father, setting up the contrast for His subsequent explanation.
In this parable, Jesus is responding to the chief priests and elders who questioned His authority. He tells the story of a father who asks his two sons to work in his vineyard; the first son flatly refuses but later has a change of heart and goes, while the second son agrees but never goes. Jesus then asks His questioners which son actually obeyed their father, setting up the contrast for His subsequent explanation.
"And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.…" — The Greek word used for "repented" here signifies a change of mind driven by regret over consequences, rather than the deep, Spirit-led transformation implied by the word for "repentance" used elsewh…
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Last reviewed October 2026
