Matthew 21:31

Contemporary English Version 1995

Which one of the sons obeyed his father? “The older one,” the chief priests and leaders answered. Then Jesus told them: You can be sure tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you ever will!

Cross References

Luke 7:29

Everyone had been listening to John. Even the tax collectors had obeyed God and had done what was right by letting John baptize them.

Matthew 7:21

Not everyone who calls me their Lord will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only the ones who obey my Father in heaven will get in.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord isn't slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.

Romans 5:20

The Law came, so that the full power of sin could be seen. Yet where sin was powerful, God's gift of undeserved grace was even more powerful.

Romans 3:19

We know that everything in the Law was written for those who are under its power. The Law says these things to stop anyone from making excuses and to let God show that the whole world is guilty.

Matthew 20:16

Jesus then said, “So it is. Everyone who is now last will be first, and everyone who is first will be last.”

Acts 17:30

In the past, God forgave all this because people did not know what they were doing. But now he says that everyone everywhere must turn to him.

Luke 19:22

“You worthless servant!” the king told him. “You have condemned yourself by what you have just said. You knew I am a hard man, taking what isn't mine and harvesting what I've not planted.

Luke 15:10

Jesus said, “In the same way God's angels are happy when even one person turns to him.”

Matthew 18:3

Then he said: I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 12:50

Anyone who obeys my Father in heaven is my brother or sister or mother.”

Matthew 9:9

As Jesus was leaving, he saw a tax collector named Matthew sitting at the place for paying taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Matthew got up and went with him.

Job 15:6

I am not here as your judge; your own words are witnesses against you.

Matthew 6:5

When you pray, don't be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward.

Matthew 5:18

Heaven and earth may disappear. But I promise you not even a period or comma will ever disappear from the Law. Everything written in it must happen.

Ezekiel 33:11

Tell them that as surely as I am the living Lord God, I don't like to see wicked people die. I enjoy seeing them turn from their sins and live. So if the Israelites want to live, they must stop sinning and turn back to me.

Matthew 5:46

If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for this? Even tax collectors love their friends.

Matthew 21:30

The man then told his younger son to go work in the vineyard. The boy said he would, but he didn't go.

John 3:3

Jesus replied, “I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God's kingdom!”

John 3:5

Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that before you can get into God's kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit.