Matthew 21:23-32 (NRSV)

Read Matthew 21:23-32 on biblegateway.com

Verse ²³When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" Verse ²⁴Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Verse ²⁵Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' Verse ²⁶But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." Verse ²⁷So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Verse ²⁸"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' Verse ²⁹He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. Verse ³⁰The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. Verse ³¹Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. Verse ³²For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.