Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 21:32

"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 saw it, did not even repent yourselves afterward, that ye might believe him." — Matthew 21:32 (ASV)

In the way of righteousness — The term seems to be used in a semi-technical sense, expressing the aspect of righteousness that the Pharisees themselves recognized (Matthew 6:1). This righteousness included, as its three great elements, the almsgiving, fasting, and prayer that were so prominent in both the life and the teaching of John the Baptist.

The publicans and the harlots believed him — The first group appears among John’s hearers in Luke 3:12. The second group is not mentioned there, but it was natural that they also would feel the impulse of the strong popular movement.

Repented not afterwards — A better translation is, did not even repent afterwards. These words are repeated from the parable (Matthew 21:29) and sharpen its application. In relation to the preaching of John the Baptist, the scribes and Pharisees were like the first of the two sons in his defiant refusal; they were not like him in his subsequent repentance.