21:23 Now after Jesus 1 entered the temple courts, 2 the chief priests and elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority 3 are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 21:24 Jesus 4 answered them, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 21:25 Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from people?” 5 They discussed this among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 21:26 But if we say, ‘From people,’ we fear the crowd, for they all consider John to be a prophet.” 21:27 So 6 they answered Jesus, 7 “We don’t know.” 8 Then he said to them, “Neither will I tell you 9 by what authority 10 I am doing these things.
21:28 “What 11 do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 21:29 The boy answered, 12 ‘I will not.’ But later he had a change of heart 13 and went. 21:30 The father 14 went to the other son and said the same thing. This boy answered, 15 ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. 21:31 Which of the two did his father’s will?” They said, “The first.” 16 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, 17 tax collectors 18 and prostitutes will go ahead of you into the kingdom of God! 21:32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe. Although 19 you saw this, you did not later change your minds 20 and believe him.