The Meaning of Matthew 21:29 Explained

Matthew 21:29

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

YLT: And he answering said, 'I will not,' but at last, having repented, he went.

Darby: And he answering said, I will not; but afterwards repenting himself he went.

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Matthew 21:29 Mean?

Study Notes

repented
Cf., Luke 15:20 , the other perfect illustration of repentance.
Repent
Repentance is the trans. of a (Greek - γένος ("metanoia-metanoeo") meaning "to have another mind," "to change the mind," and is used in the N).T. to indicate a change of mind in respect of sin, of God, and of self. This change of mind may, especially in the case of Christians who have fallen into sin, be preceded by sorrow 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 but sorrow for sin, though it may "work" repentance, is not repentance. The son in Matthew 21:28 ; Matthew 21:29 illustrates true repentance.
Saving faith: (See Scofield " Hebrews 11:39 ") includes and implies that change of mind which is called repentance.

Context Summary

Matthew 21:23-32 - Authority Which Silenced And Condemned
Our Lord always refused to gratify idle curiosity. When an earnest seeker for truth, like Nicodemus, approached Him to know the way of life, He was willing to give time and thought without stint. But of what use was it to endeavor to satisfy these men who had refused to acknowledge the divine mission of the Forerunner! They would not speak out their inner convictions, because of the effect it would have on their worldly prospects. For such as these Christ has nothing. At all costs, we must be true to the inner light, that is, to God's Spirit within us.
The parable of the two sons teaches that hard hearts may lie under fair words, while those of whom we expect least and whose first greeting is abrupt and disappointing, may later prove to be the most devoted and hopeful disciples. If a man repels the gospel with violence, he is more likely ultimately to be won than he who gives a polite and facile assent. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for Matthew 21:29

I will not [ου τελω]
So many old manuscripts, though the Vatican manuscript (B) has the order of the two sons reversed. Logically the “I, sir” But the one who actually did the will of the father is the one who repented and went This word really means “repent,” to be sorry afterwards, and must be sharply distinguished from the word μετανοια — metanoeō used 34 times in the N.T. as in Matthew 3:2 and μεταμελομαι — metanoia used 24 times as in Matthew 3:8. The verb μετανοιαν — metamelomai occurs in the N.T. only five times (Matthew 21:29, Matthew 21:32; Matthew 27:3; 2 Corinthians 7:8; Hebrews 7:21 from Psalm 109:4). Paul distinguishes sharply between mere sorrow and the act “repentance” which he calls μετανοιαν — metanoian (2 Corinthians 7:9). In the case of Judas (Matthew 27:3) it was mere remorse. Here the boy got sorry for his stubborn refusal to obey his father and went and obeyed. Godly sorrow leads to repentance (metanoian), but mere sorrow is not repentance. [source]
Repented [μεταμεληθεὶς]
This is a different word from that in Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; μετανοεῖτε , Repent ye. Though it is fairly claimed that the word here implies all that is implied in the other word, the New Testament writers evidently recognize a distinction, since the noun which corresponds to the verb in this passage ( μεταμέλεια ) is not used at all in the New Testament, and the verb itself only five times; and, in every case except the two in this passage (see Matthew 21:32), with a meaning quite foreign to repentance in the ordinary gospel sense. Thus it is used of Judas, when he brought back the thirty pieces (Matthew 27:3); of Paul's not regretting his letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 7:8); and of God (Hebrews 7:21). On the other hand, μετανοέω , repent, used by John and Jesus in their summons to repentance (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17), occurs thirty-four times, and the noun μετάνοια , repentance (Matthew 3:8, Matthew 3:11), twenty-four times, and in every case with reference to that change of heart and life wrought by the Spirit of God, to which remission of sins and salvation are promised. It is not impossible, therefore, that the word in this passage may have been intended to carry a different shade of meaning, now lost to us. Μεταμέλομαι , as its etymology indicates ( μετά , after, and μέλω , to be an object of care), implies an after-care, as contrasted with the change of mind denoted by μετάνοια . Not sorrow for moral obliquity and sin against God, but annoyance at the consequences of an act or course of acts, and chagrin at not having known better. “It may be simply what our fathers were wont to call hadiwist (had-I-wist, or known better, I should have acted otherwise)” (Trench). Μεταμέλεια refers chiefly to single acts; μετάνοια denotes the repentance which affects the whole life. Hence the latter is often found in the imperative: Repent ye (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19); the former never. Paul's recognition of the distinction (2 Corinthians 7:10) is noteworthy. “Godly sorrow worketh repentance ( μετάνοιαν ) unto salvation,” a salvation or repentance “which bringeth no regret on thinking of it afterwards” ( ἀμεταμέλητον )There is no occasion for one ever to think better of either his repentance or the salvation in which it issued. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 21:29

Matthew 27:3 Repented himself [μεταμεληθεὶς]
See on Matthew 21:29. [source]
Matthew 21:29 I will not [ου τελω]
So many old manuscripts, though the Vatican manuscript (B) has the order of the two sons reversed. Logically the “I, sir” But the one who actually did the will of the father is the one who repented and went This word really means “repent,” to be sorry afterwards, and must be sharply distinguished from the word μετανοια — metanoeō used 34 times in the N.T. as in Matthew 3:2 and μεταμελομαι — metanoia used 24 times as in Matthew 3:8. The verb μετανοιαν — metamelomai occurs in the N.T. only five times (Matthew 21:29, Matthew 21:32; Matthew 27:3; 2 Corinthians 7:8; Hebrews 7:21 from Psalm 109:4). Paul distinguishes sharply between mere sorrow and the act “repentance” which he calls μετανοιαν — metanoian (2 Corinthians 7:9). In the case of Judas (Matthew 27:3) it was mere remorse. Here the boy got sorry for his stubborn refusal to obey his father and went and obeyed. Godly sorrow leads to repentance (metanoian), but mere sorrow is not repentance. [source]
Mark 1:15 Repent []
See on Matthew 3:2; and Matthew 21:29. Mark adds, and believe in the Gospel. [source]
Acts 9:5 Lord [κυριε]
It is open to question if κυριε — kurie should not here be translated “Sir” as in Acts 16:30 and in Matthew 21:29, Matthew 21:30; John 5:7; John 12:21; John 20:15; and should be so in John 9:36. It is hardly likely that at this stage Saul recognized Jesus as Lord, though he does so greet him in Acts 22:10 “What shall I do, Lord?” Saul may have recognized the vision as from God as Cornelius says “Lord” in Acts 10:4. Saul surrendered instantly as Thomas did (John 20:28) and as little Samuel (1 Samuel 3:9). This surrender of the will to Christ was the conversion of Saul. He saw a real Person, the Risen Christ, to whom he surrendered his life. On this point he never wavered for a moment to the end. [source]
Romans 2:4 Repentance [μετάνοιαν]
See on Matthew 3:2; see on Matthew 21:29. [source]
Romans 11:29 Without repentance [ἀμεταμέλητα]
Only here and 2 Corinthians 7:10. See on repented, Matthew 21:29. Not subject to recall. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:9 Repentance [μετάνοιαν]
See on the kindred verb repent, Matthew 3:2, and compare note on Matthew 21:29. Repentance is different from regret of 2 Corinthians 7:8, indicating a moral change, as is shown by the next clause. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:8 Repent [μεταμέλομαι]
See on Matthew 21:29. Rev., regret it. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:10 Not to be repented of [ἀμεταμέλητον]
Construe with repentance. The Rev., in order to bring out this connection, amplifies the translation: a repentance which bringeth no regret. The oxymoron (see on Romans 1:20; Romans 4:18) is in the A.V. rather than in the Greek. It should be carefully observed that the two words, repentance, not to be repented of, represent different roots and different ideas: repentance ( μετάνοιαν ) denoting the moral change, and to be repented of denoting the sentiment of misgiving or regret (see on Matthew 21:29), and so answering to λύπη sorrowThe Rev. brings out the distinction by substituting regret for repentance. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:8 With my epistle [εν τηι επιστοληι]
The one referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:3. I do not regret it (ου μεταμελομαι — ou metamelomai). This verb really means “repent” (be sorry again) which meaning we have transferred to μετανοεω — metanoeō to change one‘s mind (not to be sorry at all). See note on Matthew 21:29; note on Matthew 27:3 for the verb μεταμελομαι — metamelomai to be sorry, to regret as here. Paul is now glad that he made them sorry. Though I did regret Imperfect indicative in the concessive clause. I was in a regretful mood at first. For I see (βλεπω γαρ — blepō gar). A parenthetical explanation of his present joy in their sorrow. B D do not have γαρ — gar The Latin Vulgate has videns (seeing) for βλεπων — blepōn For a season Cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:17. It was only “for an hour.” [source]
2 Corinthians 7:8 I do not regret it [ου μεταμελομαι]
This verb really means “repent” (be sorry again) which meaning we have transferred to μετανοεω — metanoeō to change one‘s mind (not to be sorry at all). See note on Matthew 21:29; note on Matthew 27:3 for the verb μεταμελομαι — metamelomai to be sorry, to regret as here. Paul is now glad that he made them sorry. [source]
Revelation 9:20 Repented not of the works [οὔτε μετενόησαν ἐκ τῶν ἔργων]
Lit., “out of the works.” The preposition ἐκ outof with repent, denotes a moral change involving an abandonment of evil works. See on Matthew 3:2; see on Matthew 21:29. [source]
Revelation 2:5 Repent [μετανόησον]
See on Matthew 3:2; see on Matthew 21:29. [source]
Revelation 2:21 Repent [μετανοήσῃ]
See on Matthew 3:2; see on Matthew 21:29. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 21:29 mean?

- And answering he said master Not will I Afterward however having repented he went
δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν 〈κύριε〉 ‹Οὐ θέλω ὕστερον δὲ μεταμεληθεὶς› ἀπῆλθεν

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀποκριθεὶς  answering 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀποκρίνομαι  
Sense: to give an answer to a question proposed, to answer.
εἶπεν  he  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
〈κύριε〉  master 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
θέλω  will  I 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: θέλω  
Sense: to will, have in mind, intend.
ὕστερον  Afterward 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὕστερος  
Sense: latter, later, coming after, the second.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
μεταμεληθεὶς›  having  repented 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: μεταμέλομαι  
Sense: it is a care to one afterwards.
ἀπῆλθεν  he  went 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀπέρχομαι  
Sense: to go away, depart.