Matthew 21:29
New International Version
“’I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

New Living Translation
The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway.

English Standard Version
And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.

Berean Standard Bible
‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.

Berean Literal Bible
And answering he said, 'I will not.' But afterward, having repented, he went.

King James Bible
He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

New King James Version
He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.

New American Standard Bible
But he replied, ‘I do not want to.’ Yet afterward he regretted it and went.

NASB 1995
“And he answered, ‘I will not’ but afterward he regretted it and went.

NASB 1977
“And he answered and said, ‘I will, sir’; and he did not go.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he answered and said, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went.

Amplified Bible
And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and changed his mind and went.

Christian Standard Bible
“He answered, ‘I don’t want to,’ but later he changed his mind and went.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“He answered, I don’t want to!’ Yet later he changed his mind and went.

American Standard Version
And he answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented himself, and went.

Contemporary English Version
His son told him he would not do it, but later he changed his mind and went.

English Revised Version
And he answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented himself, and went.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"His son replied, 'I don't want to!' But later he changed his mind and went.

Good News Translation
'I don't want to,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

International Standard Version
His son replied, 'I don't want to,' but later he changed his mind and went.

Majority Standard Bible
‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.

NET Bible
The boy answered, 'I will not.' But later he had a change of heart and went.

New Heart English Bible
He answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind, and went.

Webster's Bible Translation
He answered and said, I will not; but afterward he repented, and went.

Weymouth New Testament
"'I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry, and went.

World English Bible
He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he answering said, I will not, but at last, having regretted, he went.

Berean Literal Bible
And answering he said, 'I will not.' But afterward, having repented, he went.

Young's Literal Translation
And he answering said, 'I will not,' but at last, having repented, he went.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he, having answered, said, I will not; but afterward, having felt regret, he departed.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And responding, he said, ‘I am not willing.’ But afterwards, being moved by repentance, he went.

New American Bible
He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went.

New Revised Standard Version
He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He answered and said, I do not want to, but later he regretted and went.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But he answered and said, 'I don't want to', but afterward he was moved with regret and he went.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He answered and said, I will not. But he afterward regretted it, and went.

Godbey New Testament
And he responding said, I am not willing: but afterward, having regretted, he went.

Haweis New Testament
But he answering said, I will not: yet repenting afterwards, he went.

Mace New Testament
I won't, said he: but afterward be chang'd his mind, and went.

Weymouth New Testament
"'I will not,' he replied. "But afterwards he was sorry, and went.

Worrell New Testament
And he, answering, said, 'I go, sir,' and he went not.

Worsley New Testament
and he answered I will not; but afterwards repenting, he went.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Two Sons
28But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. 30Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go.…

Cross References
Luke 15:17-20
Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death! / I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ ...

Ezekiel 18:21-23
But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. / Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

Luke 7:29-30
All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John. / But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.

Acts 26:19-20
So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. / First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.

Ezekiel 33:14-16
But if I tell the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and he turns from his sin and does what is just and right— / if he restores a pledge, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without practicing iniquity—then he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the sins he has committed will be held against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live.

Matthew 3:8
Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.

Luke 3:8
Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Jeremiah 31:18-19
I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. / After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Romans 2:4
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?

Jonah 3:5-10
And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. / When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. / Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. ...

James 1:22-25
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...

Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.


Treasury of Scripture

He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

I will not.

Matthew 21:31
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

Jeremiah 44:16
As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.

Ephesians 4:17-19
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, …

he repented.

Matthew 3:2-8
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…

2 Chronicles 33:10-19
And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken…

Isaiah 1:16-19
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; …

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Afterward Afterwards Changed Changing Decision Later Mind Regretted Repented Repenting Sorry
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Afterward Afterwards Changed Changing Decision Later Mind Regretted Repented Repenting Sorry
Matthew 21
1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey
12. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;
17. curses the fig tree;
23. puts to silence the priests and elders,
28. and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,
33. and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.














I will not
This phrase reflects a moment of defiance and rebellion. In the original Greek, the word used is "οὐ θέλω" (ou thelō), which translates to a strong negation of will or desire. This response is significant as it represents the initial rejection of authority and responsibility. In the context of the parable, it highlights the human tendency to resist divine instruction or parental guidance. Historically, this reflects the broader theme of Israel's initial rejection of God's prophets and commandments. The phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and obedience in the Christian walk.

he answered
The Greek word for "answered" is "ἀποκριθεὶς" (apokritheis), which implies a response or reply. This indicates a moment of decision and interaction, where the son is consciously choosing to articulate his stance. In the biblical narrative, responses to God's call are pivotal, as they reveal the heart's condition. This word invites readers to reflect on their own responses to God's voice in their lives, encouraging a posture of attentiveness and readiness to engage with divine direction.

But later
The phrase "ὕστερον" (husteron) in Greek, meaning "afterward" or "later," signifies a change over time. This temporal shift is crucial as it introduces the concept of repentance and transformation. In the biblical context, it underscores the hope and possibility of change, even after initial resistance. This aligns with the Christian doctrine of grace, where God allows for redemption and renewal. The historical context of the early church, which saw many initially resistant individuals come to faith, mirrors this transformative journey.

he regretted it
The Greek term "μεταμεληθεὶς" (metameletheis) is used here, which conveys a sense of regret or remorse. This is not merely an emotional response but a cognitive realization of wrongdoing. In the scriptural context, this regret is a precursor to repentance, a fundamental aspect of Christian teaching. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's mistakes and turning back to God. Theologically, it reflects the process of sanctification, where believers are continually being refined and corrected by the Holy Spirit.

and went
The action of going, "ἀπῆλθεν" (apēlthen) in Greek, signifies obedience and follow-through. This final phrase completes the transformation from defiance to compliance. It is a powerful testament to the change of heart that leads to action, embodying the biblical principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). In the historical context of the early Christian community, this would resonate as a call to live out one's faith through tangible actions. It serves as an inspirational reminder that true repentance is evidenced by a change in behavior, aligning one's actions with God's will.

(29) I will not.--The bold defiance of the answer answers to the rough recklessness of the classes (publicans and harlots) who were represented by the "first" of the two sons. Their whole life, up to the time of their conversion, had been an open refusal to keep God's laws, and so to work in His vineyard.

He repented.--The Greek word is not the same as that of Matthew 3:2, and expresses rather the regretful change of purpose than entire transformation of character. It is the first stage of repentance, and may, as in this instance, pass on into the higher, or, as in the case of Judas (Matthew 27:3, where the same word is used), end only in remorse and despair.

Verse 29. - I will not. The answer is rude, curt, and disrespectful, such a one as would naturally issue from the lips of a person who was selfishly wrapped in his own pleasures, and cared nothing for the Law of God, the claims of relationship, the decencies of society. Repented, and went; i.e. into the vineyard to work. The worst sinners, when converted, often make great saints. There is more hope of their repentance than of the self-righteous or hypocrites, who profess the form of religion without the reality, and in their own view need no repentance.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
‘I will not,’
θέλω (thelō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

he replied.
ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

later
ὕστερον (hysteron)
Adverb
Strong's 5305: Lastly, afterward, later. Neuter of husteros as adverb; more lately, i.e. Eventually.

he changed his mind
μεταμεληθεὶς (metamelētheis)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3338: From meta and the middle voice of melo; to care afterwards, i.e. Regret.

[and] went.
ἀπῆλθεν (apēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.


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