Time after Pentecost · Proper 21 · Year A
Matthew 21:23-27 (28-32)
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
September 27, 2026
Overview & Insights
“The tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matthew 21:31)
Two symbolic actions of Jesus—his entry as king into Jerusalem and his temple critique (21:1–22)—provoke a contest of authority with the chief priests and Jewish elders (21:23–27). Jesus refuses to answer their question about the source of his authority directly; instead, he tells three parables that provide an implicit claim of his messianic identity and implicate the Jewish leaders in their rejection of his identity and authority (21:28–22:14). In their rejection, Jesus contrasts them to those who have believed his message (and John’s): tax collectors and prostitutes (21:31–32; cf. 9:9–13) and people who produce fruit (21:43; cf. 3:8; 7:15–20; 12:33). It is at this point in Matthew’s story that the Jerusalem leaders begin the final plot to arrest and execute Jesus (21:46; see 26:3–4).
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 21:23-32 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on the challenge to Jesus' authority and the two sons.
Matthew 21:23-32 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on dueling authority and true obedience to the Father.
Matthew 21 - Jesus' Authority Challenged Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the temple confrontation and the question about John.
Matthew 21 Commentary Precept Austin
An inductive study page gathering word studies and cross references on the chapter.
Matthew 21:23 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the demand for Jesus' credentials.
Matthew 21:23 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further voice on the passage.
Background & Word Study
Matthew 21:23 Interlinear BibleHub
The Greek of the passage word by word with parsing and lexical helps.
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's book introduction to Matthew for the setting of its temple controversies.
Overview: Matthew 14-28 BibleProject
An animated overview of Matthew's second half and its confrontation in Jerusalem.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the parable of the two sons about?
Two sons are told to work in the vineyard; one refuses but goes, the other agrees but does not. Jesus tells the chief priests and elders that tax collectors and prostitutes, who repented at John’s preaching, are entering the kingdom ahead of them (Matthew 21:28–32). Obedience is measured by action, not by words.
Where does this fall in the lectionary?
Proper 21 (Ordinary 26) in Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary, the Sunday whose date falls between September 25 and October 1.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Matthew 21:23-27 (28-32)
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.