Bible Strands
Matthew 21:32
For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to the chief priests and elders immediately after they concede in the preceding parable that the first son did the father's will. He uses their own admission to confront their rejection of John the Baptist.
The words — ἦλθεν (ēlthen) means "came" and ἐν ὁδῷ δικαιοσύνης translates literally to "in the way of righteousness," marking John's ministry as aligned with God's standard.
The thread — The passage recalls the hardened refusal to heed prophets in Zechariah 7:11 and picks up the unresolved question about John’s authority from Matthew 21:25. It also parallels the woman who brought perfume to Jesus in Luke 7:37 before the anointing action in Luke 7:38.
Why it lands — The text states that John came in the way of righteousness, the religious leaders did not believe him, and tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing this, the leaders did not repent, showing that mere observation of others' faith does not produce personal obedience.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Luke 7:37 When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume.
- Zechariah 7:11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.
- Matthew 21:25 What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
- Luke 7:29 All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John.
- Acts 13:25 As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But there is One coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
- 2 Peter 2:21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them.
- Psalms 81:11 But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me.
- Isaiah 35:8 And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it.
- Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’
- Matthew 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea