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 had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Original Language Analysis
ἦλθεν
came
G2064
ἦλθεν
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
1 of 29
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 29
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 29
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
ὁδῷ
the way
G3598
ὁδῷ
the way
Strong's:
G3598
Word #:
7 of 29
a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means
δικαιοσύνης
of righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνης
of righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
8 of 29
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πιστεῦσαι
believed
G4100
πιστεῦσαι
believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
11 of 29
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τελῶναι
the publicans
G5057
τελῶναι
the publicans
Strong's:
G5057
Word #:
15 of 29
a tax-farmer, i.e., collector of public revenue
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστεῦσαι
believed
G4100
πιστεῦσαι
believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
19 of 29
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἰδόντες
when ye had seen
G1492
ἰδόντες
when ye had seen
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
23 of 29
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 21:25The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?2 Peter 2:21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Historical Context
Tax collectors collaborated with Rome, extorting fellow Jews—religious and national traitors. Prostitutes violated both sexual morality and ceremonial purity. Yet these 'sinners' flocked to John's baptism (Matt 3:5-6, Luke 7:29-30), while religious leaders stood aloof. The kingdom inverts human hierarchies.
Questions for Reflection
- What would it cost you to truly repent—what status, reputation, or comfort might you lose?
- How does the inclusion of 'publicans and harlots' in God's kingdom challenge your assumptions about who is 'savable'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For John came unto you in the way of righteousness—ἐν ὁδῷ δικαιοσύνης (en hodō dikaiosynēs) means John's life and message perfectly aligned with God's righteous requirements. He preached and modeled repentance. And ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him—devastating indictment. Society's moral outcasts recognized truth the religious elite rejected.
And ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward—even witnessing transformed lives didn't soften their hearts. The leaders' problem wasn't intellectual but volitional: they refused to repent because it would cost their status, power, and self-righteousness. Pride proved a greater barrier than immorality.