Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 21:37

"But afterward he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son." — Matthew 21:37 (ASV)

Last of all, etc. Mark adds that this was an only son, greatly beloved. This beautifully and most tenderly exhibits the love of God in sending his only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to die for men.

He had long sent the prophets, and they had been persecuted and slain. There was no use in sending any more prophets to the people. They had done all they could do.

God had one only-begotten and well-beloved Son, whom he might send into the world, and whom the world ought to reverence, even as they should the Father (John 5:23).

To reverence denotes honor, esteem, deference—that feeling we have in the presence of one greatly our superior, as well as to give such a person, in our feelings and by our deportment, the honor due to his rank and character.

God is often represented in the Bible as giving his Son, his only-begotten and well-beloved Son, for a lost world (John 3:16, 17; 1 John 4:9, 14; Romans 8:3, 32; Galatians 4:4).