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But later he changed his mind and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And answering he said, 'I will not.' But afterward, having repented, he went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he replied, ‘I do not want to.’ Yet afterward he regretted it and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220And he answered, &#8216I will not’ but afterward he regretted it and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And he answered and said, ‘I will, sir’; and he did not go.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he answered and said, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it <i>and</i> changed his mind and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“He answered, ‘I don’t want to,’ but later he changed his mind and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220He answered, I don&#8217t want to!&#8217 Yet later he changed his mind and went. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented himself, and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />His son told him he would not do it, but later he changed his mind and went. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented himself, and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"His son replied, 'I don't want to!' But later he changed his mind and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />'I don't want to,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />His son replied, 'I don't want to,' but later he changed his mind and went. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?I will not,? he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The boy answered, 'I will not.' But later he had a change of heart and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind, and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He answered and said, I will not; but afterward he repented, and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"'I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry, and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he answering said, I will not, but at last, having regretted, he went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And answering he said, 'I will not.' But afterward, having repented, he went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he answering said, 'I will not,' but at last, having repented, he went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he, having answered, said, I will not; but afterward, having felt regret, he departed.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And responding, he said, ‘I am not willing.’ But afterwards, being moved by repentance, he went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He answered and said, I do not want to, but later he regretted and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/21.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“But he answered and said, 'I don't want to', but afterward he was moved with regret and he went.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/21.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />He answered and said, I will not. But he afterward regretted it, and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/21.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And he responding said, I am not willing: but afterward, having regretted, he went.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/21.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But he answering said, I will not: yet repenting afterwards, he went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/21.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />I won't, said he: but afterward be chang'd his mind, and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"'I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry, and went.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/21.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And he, answering, said, 'I <i>go</i>, sir,' and he went not.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/21.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and he answered I will not; but afterwards repenting, he went.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/21-29.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6195" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/21.htm">The Parable of the Two Sons</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28</span>But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ <span class="reftext">29</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelō (V-PIA-1S) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">‘I will not,’</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: apokritheis (V-APP-NMS) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">he replied.</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/5305.htm" title="5305: hysteron (Adv) -- Lastly, afterward, later. Neuter of husteros as adverb; more lately, i.e. Eventually.">later</a> <a href="/greek/3338.htm" title="3338: metamelētheis (V-APP-NMS) -- From meta and the middle voice of melo; to care afterwards, i.e. Regret.">he changed his mind</a> <a href="/greek/565.htm" title="565: apēlthen (V-AIA-3S) -- From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.">and went.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">30</span>Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-17.htm">Luke 15:17-20</a></span><br />Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death! / I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-21.htm">Ezekiel 18:21-23</a></span><br />But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. / Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/7-29.htm">Luke 7:29-30</a></span><br />All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John. / But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-19.htm">Acts 26:19-20</a></span><br />So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. / First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-14.htm">Ezekiel 33:14-16</a></span><br />But if I tell the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and he turns from his sin and does what is just and right— / if he restores a pledge, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity—then he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the sins he has committed will be held against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-8.htm">Matthew 3:8</a></span><br />Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Luke 3:8</a></span><br />Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/7-10.htm">2 Corinthians 7:10</a></span><br />Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-18.htm">Jeremiah 31:18-19</a></span><br />I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. / After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a></span><br />Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-4.htm">Romans 2:4</a></span><br />Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5-10</a></span><br />And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. / When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. / Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22-25</a></span><br />Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13</a></span><br />He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">1 John 3:18</a></span><br />Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.</p><p class="hdg">I will not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/21-31.htm">Matthew 21:31</a></b></br> Whether of them twain did the will of <i>his</i> father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/44-16.htm">Jeremiah 44:16</a></b></br> <i>As for</i> the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/4-17.htm">Ephesians 4:17-19</a></b></br> This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, … </p><p class="hdg">he repented.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Matthew 3:2-8</a></b></br> And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/33-10.htm">2 Chronicles 33:10-19</a></b></br> And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16-19</a></b></br> Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/15-37.htm">Afterward</a> <a href="/matthew/15-17.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/matthew/17-2.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/jonah/3-9.htm">Changing</a> <a href="/matthew/12-42.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/matthew/17-1.htm">Later</a> <a href="/matthew/16-23.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/21-20.htm">Regretted</a> <a href="/matthew/12-41.htm">Repented</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-6.htm">Repenting</a> <a href="/matthew/18-31.htm">Sorry</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/21-32.htm">Afterward</a> <a href="/matthew/21-32.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/mark/9-2.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/acts/28-6.htm">Changing</a> <a href="/matthew/27-1.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/matthew/25-11.htm">Later</a> <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-8.htm">Regretted</a> <a href="/matthew/21-32.htm">Repented</a> <a href="/luke/15-7.htm">Repenting</a> <a href="/mark/6-26.htm">Sorry</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-1.htm">Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-17.htm">curses the fig tree;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">puts to silence the priests and elders,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-28.htm">and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>‘I will not,’ he replied.</b><br>This phrase reflects a direct refusal to obey the father's request, illustrating a rebellious attitude. In the cultural context of the time, such a response would be seen as disrespectful, as honoring one's parents was a significant aspect of Jewish law (<a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a>). This initial refusal can be compared to the Israelites' frequent disobedience to God's commands throughout the Old Testament, such as in the wilderness (<a href="/numbers/14-2.htm">Numbers 14:2-4</a>). It also highlights the human tendency to resist divine authority, a theme seen in the parable of the two sons, where actions speak louder than words.<p><b>But later he changed his mind and went.</b><br>This change of heart signifies repentance, a central theme in the teachings of Jesus. The Greek term used here for "changed his mind" is often associated with repentance, indicating a transformation of heart and will. This mirrors the call to repentance found throughout the New Testament, such as in the ministry of John the Baptist (<a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Matthew 3:2</a>) and Jesus' own message (<a href="/mark/1-15.htm">Mark 1:15</a>). The son's eventual obedience aligns with the biblical principle that true repentance leads to action, as seen in the parable of the prodigal son (<a href="/luke/15-17.htm">Luke 15:17-20</a>). This transformation also prefigures the acceptance of the gospel by those initially resistant, such as the Gentiles, who later embraced the faith (<a href="/acts/11-18.htm">Acts 11:18</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father</a></b><br>Represents God, who gives instructions to His children.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_first_son.htm">The First Son</a></b><br>Initially refuses to obey his father but later repents and fulfills the father's request.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vineyard.htm">The Vineyard</a></b><br>Symbolic of God's kingdom and the work He calls His people to do.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The speaker of the parable, teaching about obedience and repentance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_audience.htm">The Audience</a></b><br>Primarily the chief priests and elders of the people, who are being challenged by Jesus to reflect on their own obedience to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a></b><br>True repentance involves a change of heart and action. It's not enough to say "no" to God initially; what matters is ultimately aligning with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_over_lip_service.htm">Obedience Over Lip Service</a></b><br>God values actions over empty promises. Our initial response may be flawed, but our final actions are what count in His eyes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_grace.htm">God's Patience and Grace</a></b><br>The father in the parable does not immediately punish the son for his initial refusal, reflecting God's patience and willingness to accept us when we turn back to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-reflection_for_believers.htm">Self-Reflection for Believers</a></b><br>We must examine our own lives to see if we are like the first son, needing to change our minds and actions to align with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_for_the_wayward.htm">Encouragement for the Wayward</a></b><br>This parable offers hope for those who have initially turned away from God, showing that it is never too late to repent and do His work.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_son_obeyed_his_father.htm">Which son truly obeyed his father's will?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'render_to_caesar'.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'Render to Caesar'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_luke_19_28-40's_entry_timing_compare.htm">How does the timing of Jesus's entry in Luke 19:28-40 align or conflict with other Gospel accounts of the Triumphal Entry?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_a_true_neighbor_to_the_needy.htm">Who truly acts as a neighbor to those in need?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(29) <span class= "bld">I will not.</span>--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.<p><span class= "bld">He repented.</span>--The Greek word is not the same as that of <a href="/matthew/3-2.htm" title="And saying, Repent you: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.">Matthew 3:2</a>, and expresses rather the regretful change of purpose than entire transformation of character. It is the first stage of repentance, and may, as in this instance, pass on into the higher, or, as in the case of Judas (<a href="/matthew/27-3.htm" title="Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,">Matthew 27:3</a>, where the same word is used), end only in remorse and despair.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 29.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I will not.</span> The answer is rude, curt, and disrespectful, such a one as would naturally issue from the lips of a person who was selfishly wrapped in his own pleasures, and cared nothing for the Law of God, the claims of relationship, the decencies of society. <span class="cmt_word">Repented, and went;</span> <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. into the vineyard to work. The worst sinners, when converted, often make great saints. There is more hope of their repentance than of the self-righteous or hypocrites, who profess the form of religion without the reality, and in their own view need no repentance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/21-29.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">‘I will not,’</span><br /><span class="grk">θέλω</span> <span class="translit">(thelō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> </span><span class="str2">To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">he replied.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀποκριθεὶς</span> <span class="translit">(apokritheis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">later</span><br /><span class="grk">ὕστερον</span> <span class="translit">(hysteron)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5305.htm">Strong's 5305: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lastly, afterward, later. Neuter of husteros as adverb; more lately, i.e. Eventually.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he changed his mind</span><br /><span class="grk">μεταμεληθεὶς</span> <span class="translit">(metamelētheis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3338.htm">Strong's 3338: </a> </span><span class="str2">From meta and the middle voice of melo; to care afterwards, i.e. Regret.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] went.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπῆλθεν</span> <span class="translit">(apēlthen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_565.htm">Strong's 565: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/21-29.htm">Matthew 21:29 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/21-29.htm">Matthew 21:29 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/21-29.htm">Matthew 21:29 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/21-29.htm">Matthew 21:29 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/21-29.htm">Matthew 21:29 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/21-29.htm">Matthew 21:29 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/21-29.htm">Matthew 21:29 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/21-29.htm">Matthew 21:29 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/21-29.htm">Matthew 21:29 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/21-29.htm">Matthew 21:29 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/21-29.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 21:29 He answered 'I will not' but afterward (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/21-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 21:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 21:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/21-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 21:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 21:30" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>