Pentecost Season · Proper 21 · Year A
Matthew 21:23-32
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).
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Commentary
Working Preacher: Matthew 21:23-32 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis on the question of authority and the two-sons parable.
CEP: Matthew 21:23-32 Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on obedience that shows in deeds, not words.
Enduring Word: Matthew 21 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Matthew 21 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse-level study helps, Greek word notes, and gathered quotations.
BibleHub: Matthew 21:23 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries on the authority question and parable.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on Matthew's structure and the Jerusalem conflicts.
BibleProject: Gospel of Matthew Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of Matthew's literary design and themes.
BibleHub Interlinear: Matthew 21:23 BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for the authority dispute and the parable.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Is God with Us? SALT's Commentary for the Seventeenth Week after Pentecost SALT Project
Covers the chief priests' twofold challenge to Jesus's authority and the parable of the two sons.
Matthew 21:23-32 Sermon Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Notes how Jesus answers the leaders' authority question indirectly but pointedly through the parable.
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.
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