Matthew 21:28-32
I will not ( ου θελω ). So many old manuscripts, though the Vatican manuscript (B) has the order of the two sons reversed. Logically the "I, sir" ( εγω, κυριε ) suits better for the second son (verse 30) with a reference to the blunt refusal of the first. So also the manuscripts differ in verse 31 between the first ( ο πρωτος ) and the last ( ο υστερος or εσχατος ). But the one who actually did the will of the father is the one whorepented and went ( μεταμεληθεις απηλθεν ). This word really means "repent," to be sorry afterwards, and must be sharply distinguished from the word μετανοεω used 34 times in the N.T. as in Mt 3:2 and μετανοια used 24 times as in Mt 3:8. The verb μεταμελομα occurs in the N.T. only five times (Mt 21:29, 32; 27:3; 2Co 7:8; Heb 7:21 from Ps 109:4). Paul distinguishes sharply between mere sorrow and the act "repentance" which he calls μετανοιαν (2Co 7:9). In the case of Judas (Mt 27:3) it was mere remorse. Here the boy got sorry for his stubborn refusal to obey his father and went and obeyed. Godly sorrow leads to repentance ( μετανοιαν ), but mere sorrow is not repentance.
Go before you ( προαγουσιν ). "In front of you" (Weymouth). The publicans and harlots march ahead of the ecclesiastics into the kingdom of heaven. It is a powerful indictment of the complacency of the Jewish theological leaders.
In the way of righteousness ( εν οδω δικαιοσυνης ). In the path of righteousness. Compare the two ways in Mt 7:13, 14 and "the way of God" (22:16).
Copyright information for
RWP