Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 21:30
And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I [go,] sir: and went not.
Verse 30. I go, sir] This is all respect, complaisance, and professed, obedience; but he went not: he promised well, but did not perform. What a multitude of such are in the world, professing to know God, but denying him in their works! Alas! what will such professions avail, when God comes to take away the soul?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
30. And he came to the second, andsaid likewise. And he answered and said, I go,sir“I, sir.” The emphatic “I,” here,denotes the self-righteous complacency which says, “God, I thankthee that I am not as other men” (Lu18:11).
and went notHedid not “afterward repent” and refuse to go; for there washere no intention to go. It is the class that “say and donot” (Mt 23:3) afalseness more abominable to God, says STIER,than any “I will not.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he came to the second,…. The Scribes and Pharisees, by the ministry of John the Baptist, Christ, and his apostles also:
and said likewise; the same things as to the other son, the publicans and sinners; calling them into the Gospel dispensation, to hear the word, embrace truth, attend on ordinances, and labour in promoting the kingdom, and interest of the Messiah, whilst they had the light of the Gospel with them. Urging also the relation they stood in to God, as a part of the Jewish body; to whom, among other external privileges, the adoption belonged:
and he answered and said, I go, sir, and went not: the word “go” is not in the generality of the Greek copies; the phrase is only “I sir”, though it is rightly enough supplied as to the sense. Beza says, it was in his most ancient copy; and so it is in the Arabic and Persic versions, and in Munster’s Hebrew Gospel; though it is not in the Syriac and Ethiopic versions. So, the Scribes and Pharisees seemed pleased with the ministry of John for a while, and at first were forward to submit to his baptism, and were very inquisitive about the Messiah: yet, when he was declared in John’s ministry, and by his own doctrine, and miracles, they refused to give in to the belief of him; they would neither enter into the Gospel kingdom, embrace the doctrines, and obey the commands of it themselves, nor suffer others to enter in; but, as much as in them lay, by their reproaches, menaces, and excommunications, deterred them from it. They, were like some other persons, who promise fair, and talk much of doing good works, but do none; teach the people to do them, but do not perform them themselves, though they would seem to do them; make great pretensions to them, boast of them, and trust in them; and therefore, of all men, ought to be careful to maintain them, and yet do the least.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
30. I, Sir. (35) This phrase is borrowed from the Hebrew language; for, when the Hebrews wish to offer their services, and to declare that they are ready to obey, they speak in this manner, “Here I am, Sir,” It is a laudable virtue in itself, as soon as God has spoken, to yield to Him ready and cheerful obedience; and Christ does not here give the commendation to slowness. But as both are improper—to delay before doing your duty, and to promise what you do not perform—Christ shows that this hypocrisy is less to be endured than the fierceness which, in process of time, is subdued.
(35) “ Seigneur, j’y vay;” — “Sir, I go to it.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(30) I go, sir.The tone of outward respect, as contrasted with the rude refusal of the elder son, is eminently characteristic as representing the surface religion of the Pharisees.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
30. I go, sir He gives a polite answer with a sir to it. He professes obedience; but he substitutes the profession for the practice.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“And he came to the second, and said the same. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir’, and went not.”
The second son is full of expressions of willingness. His answer is immediate. ‘I go, sir.’ But the problem was that he did not go. He is like all those who are outwardly religious from the beginning, but who do not really obey God from the heart. They are those who do not hear the will of God and do it (Mat 7:24; Mat 7:26).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go , sir: and went not.
Ver. 30. I go, sir ] I, but when, sir? Stultus semper incipit vivere. Fools are always starting to live. (Seneca.) Hypocrites purpose often, and promise fair to do better, but drive off and fail in the performance; their morning cloud is soon dispersed, their earthly dew is quickly dried up,Hos 6:4Hos 6:4 , their heartless essays come to nothing, Modo et modo non habent modum. The philosopher liked not such as are semper victuri, always about to live better, but never begin. A divine complains that the goodness of many is like the softness of a plumb, soon crushed; but their wickedness is like the stone in the plumb, hard and inflexible.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mat 21:30 . , I will not, I am not inclined; rude, sulky, unmannerly, disobedient, and making no pretence to filial loyalty.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
the second. Tischendorf reads “the other” (Greek. heteros, App-124.)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mat 21:30. , the other) Who, in a different point of view, is called the eldest in Luk 15:25.-, in like manner) with undoubtedly the same spirit. Their calling was equal.-, I) sc. , go; cf. in Act 9:10, the reply of Ananias, , , Behold, I, sc. am here; and in S. V. of Jdg 13:11, that of the angel to Manoah, , I, sc. am.-, Lord) cf. ch. Mat 7:22.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
I go: Mat 23:3, Eze 33:31, Rom 2:17-25, Tit 1:16
Reciprocal: Luk 6:49 – that heareth Act 26:20 – repent
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1:30This verse was virtually carried out as stated, for the chief priests and elders made great pretensions of being interested in the work of John and Jesus, but in the final test they refused to work at it.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 21:30. I will go, sir. I, in contrast with this one who refuses; an expression of pride. The answer was hypocritical, since it is not added that he changed his mind, but simply went not.