Matthew 21:31

King James Version 1611 (Original)

Whether of them twain did the will of his 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.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Τίς ἐκ τῶν δύο ἐποίησεν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρός; Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, Ὁ πρῶτος. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, Ὅτι οἱ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι προάγουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ.

Transliteration

Which out of the dyo epoiēsen the thelēma of the patros? They legousin to him, The prōtos. Legei to them the Iēsous, Amēn I legō to you, That the telōnai and the pornai proagousin you into the basileian of Theou.

Grammar Details

• *dyo*: genitive - two
• *epoiēsen*: aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular - he did
• *thelēma*: accusative neuter singular - will
• *patros*: genitive masculine singular - father
• *legousin*: present active indicative, 3rd person plural - they say
• *prōtos*: nominative masculine singular - first
• *Legei*: present active indicative, 3rd person singular - he says
• *Iēsous*: nominative masculine singular - Jesus
• *Amēn*: Hebrew transliteration - truly/verily
• *legō*: present active indicative, 1st person singular - I say
• *telōnai*: nominative masculine plural - tax collectors
• *pornai*: nominative feminine plural - prostitutes
• *proagousin*: present active indicative, 3rd person plural - they go before
• *basileian*: accusative feminine singular - kingdom
• *Theou*: genitive masculine singular - of God

Word Meanings

• *epoiēsen*: did/performed/accomplished
• *thelēma*: will/desire/purpose
• *patros*: father/ancestor
• *legousin*: say/tell/speak
• *prōtos*: first/former/chief
• *Legei*: says/tells/speaks
• *telōnai*: tax collectors/publicans
• *pornai*: prostitutes/harlots
• *proagousin*: go before/precede/lead the way for
• *basileian*: kingdom/reign/rule
• *Theou*: God/deity

Referenced Verses

• Luke 7:29 : 29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
• Luke 7:37-50 : 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
• 2 Pet 3:9 : 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
• Luke 15:1-2 : 1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
• Luke 15:10 : 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
• Luke 19:9-9 : 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
• Luke 19:22 : 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
• Acts 17:30 : 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
• Rom 3:19 : 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
• Rom 5:20 : 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
• Rom 9:30-33 : 30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
• 1 Tim 1:13-16 : 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
• Matt 7:21 : 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
• Matt 9:9 : 9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
• Matt 12:50 : 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
• Matt 18:3 : 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
• Matt 20:16 : 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
• 2 Sam 12:5-7 : 5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: 6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
• Job 15:6 : 6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
• Ezek 33:11 : 11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
• Matt 5:18 : 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
• Matt 6:5 : 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.