Matthew 21:28

"They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Key Reflection

In first-century Israel, authority was a matter of life and death. The religious leaders and crowds knew well that Jesus performed miracles and taught with authority, yet their response of "We don’t know" reveals the depth of their resistance. By not acknowledging his authority, they also revealed their unwillingness to face the implications of recognizing him as the Messiah, which would have required them to align their lives accordingly. Jesus’ counter-response underscores his awareness of their true motives and the inherent tension between his divine claims and their human resistance.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verses 28-32. But what think ye? A way of speaking designed to direct them particularly to what he was saying, that they might be self-convicted. Two sons. By those two sons our Lord intends to represent the conduct of the Jews, and that of the Publicans and sinners. In my vineyard. See Barnes "Mt 21:33". To work in the vineyard here represents the work which God requires man to do. I will not. This had been the language of the Publicans and wicked men. They refused at first, and did not profess to be willing to go. Repented. Changed his mind. Afterwards, at the preaching of John and Christ, the publicans--the wicked--repented, and obeyed. The second--said, I go, sir: and went not.

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