Matthew 21:31

The leaders rightly identify the first son as the one who did the father's will, and Jesus declares that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom ahead of them. Repentant sinners outrun self-righteous religion.

Cross-references · 22

• Luke 7:29And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
• Luke 7:37–50And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
• Matt 7:21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
• Rom 3:19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
• 2 Pet 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
• Rom 5:20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
• Matt 20:16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
• Rom 9:30–33What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
• 1 Tim 1:13–16Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
• Luke 15:10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
• Matt 9:9And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
• Luke 19:9–10And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
• Luke 15:1–2Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
• Luke 19:22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
• Matt 18:3And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
• Matt 12:50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
• Acts 17:30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
• Job 15:6Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
• Matt 6:5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
• 2 Sam 12:5–7And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
• Ezek 33:11Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
• Matt 5:18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

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