Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

This verse links the parable to the preceding story, where the importance of believing John has already been established (vv.23–27). John preached God’s will about what was right and pointed the way to the kingdom (11:12), which sinners are now entering (21:31). But he also pointed to Jesus and the kingdom’s superior righteousness (cf. 3:2–3; 5:20). Yet the religious leaders did not believe John’s witness, even after seeing society’s vilest sinners repenting and believing him and his message.