Matthew 21 read and compare multiple versions of the Bible

World English Bible

Matthew 21 (WEBP)

[1] When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage,° to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
[2] saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.
[3] If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
[4] All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
[5] “Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
[6] The disciples went and did just as Jesus commanded them,
[7] and brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them.
[8] A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
[9] The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna° to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
[10] When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”
[11] The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
[12] Jesus entered into the temple of God and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves.
[13] He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”
[14] The lame and the blind came to him in the temple, and he healed them.
[15] But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant,
[16] and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise’?”
[17] He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there.
[18] Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry.
[19] Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit from you forever!” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
[20] When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?”
[21] Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it would be done.
[22] All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
[23] When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
[24] Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
[25] The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
[26] But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
[27] They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
[28] But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’
[29] He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went.
[30] He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go.
[31] Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you.
[32] For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.
[33] “Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug a wine press in it, built a tower, leased it out to farmers, and went into another country.
[34] When the season for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruit.
[35] The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
[36] Again, he sent other servants more than the first; and they treated them the same way.
[37] But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
[38] But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and seize his inheritance.’
[39] So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard, then killed him.
[40] When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?”
[41] They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who will give him the fruit in its season.”
[42] Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes’?
[43] “Therefore I tell you, God’s Kingdom will be taken away from you and will be given to a nation producing its fruit.
[44] He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust.”
[45] When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them.
[46] When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.

Matthew 21:1 TR & NU read “Bethphage” instead of “Bethsphage”
Matthew 21:5 Zechariah 9:9
Matthew 21:9a “Hosanna” means “save us” or “help us, we pray”.
Matthew 21:9b Psalm 118:26
Matthew 21:13a Isaiah 56:7
Matthew 21:13b Jeremiah 7:11
Matthew 21:16 Psalm 8:2
Matthew 21:42 Psalm 118:22-23

Scripture quotations are taken from The World English Bible™ of eBible.org, 2020 stable text edition. It is in the public domain.

King James w/Strong’s #s

Matthew 21 (KJVS)

[1] And G2532 when G3753 they drew nigh G1448 (AorActInd) unto G1519 Jerusalem G2414, and G2532 were come G2064 (Aor2ActInd) to G1519 Bethphage G967, unto G4314 the mount G3735 of Olives G1636, then G5119 sent G649 (AorActInd) Jesus G2424 two G1417 disciples G3101,
[2] Saying G3004 (PresActPtc) unto them G846, Go G4198 (AorPasDepSubj) into G1519 the village G2968 over against G561 you G5216, and G2532 straightway G2112 ye shall find G2147 (FutActInd) an ass G3688 tied G1210 (PerfPasPtc), and G2532 a colt G4454 with G3326 her G846: loose G3089 (AorActPtc) [them], and bring G71 (Aor2ActImpr) [them] unto me G3427.
[3] And G2532 if G1437 any [man] G5100 say G2036 (Aor2ActSubj) ought G5100 unto you G5213, ye shall say G2046 (FutActInd), G3754 The Lord G2962 hath G2192 (PresActInd) need G5532 of them G846; and G1161 straightway G2112 he will send G649 (FutActInd) them G846.
[4] All G1161 G3650 this G5124 was done G1096 (Perf2ActInd), that G2443 it might be fulfilled G4137 (AorPasSubj) which G3588 was spoken G4483 (AorPasPtc) by G1223 the prophet G4396, saying G3004 (PresActPtc),
[5] Tell ye G2036 (Aor2ActImpr) the daughter G2364 of Sion G4622, Behold G2400 (Aor2ActImpr), thy G4675 King G935 cometh G2064 (PresMidPasDepInd) unto thee G4671, meek G4239, and G2532 sitting G1910 (PerfActPtc) upon G1909 an ass G3688, and G2532 a colt G4454 the foal G5207 of an ass G5268.
[6] And G1161 the disciples G3101 went G4198 (AorPasDepPtc), and G2532 did G4160 (AorActPtc) as G2531 Jesus G2424 commanded G4367 (AorActInd) them G846,
[7] And brought G71 (Aor2ActInd) the ass G3688, and G2532 the colt G4454, and G2532 put G2007 (AorActInd) on G1883 them G846 their G846 clothes G2440, and G2532 they set G1940 (AorActInd) G1940 (AorActInd) [him] thereon G1883 G846.
[8] And G1161 a very great G4118 multitude G3793 spread G4766 (AorActInd) their G1438 garments G2440 in G1722 the way G3598; others G1161 G243 cut down G2875 (ImpfActInd) branches G2798 from G575 the trees G1186, and G2532 strawed G4766 (ImpfActInd) [them] in G1722 the way G3598.
[9] And G1161 the multitudes G3793 that went before G4254 (PresActPtc), and G2532 that followed G190 (PresActPtc), cried G2896 (ImpfActInd), saying G3004 (PresActPtc), Hosanna G5614 to the Son G5207 of David G1138: Blessed G2127 (PerfPasPtc) [is] he that cometh G2064 (PresMidPasDepPtc) in G1722 the name G3686 of the Lord G2962; Hosanna G5614 in G1722 the highest G5310.
[10] And G2532 when he G846 was come G1525 (Aor2ActPtc) into G1519 Jerusalem G2414, all G3956 the city G4172 was moved G4579 (AorPasInd), saying G3004 (PresActPtc), Who G5101 is G2076 (PresInd) this G3778?
[11] And G1161 the multitude G3793 said G3004 (ImpfActInd), This G3778 is G2076 (PresInd) Jesus G2424 the prophet G4396 of G575 Nazareth G3478 of Galilee G1056.
[12] And G2532 Jesus G2424 went G1525 (Aor2ActInd) into G1519 the temple G2411 of God G2316, and G2532 cast out G1544 (Aor2ActInd) all them G3956 that sold G4453 (PresActPtc) and G2532 bought G59 (PresActPtc) in G1722 the temple G2411, and G2532 overthrew G2690 (AorActInd) the tables G5132 of the moneychangers G2855, and G2532 the seats G2515 of them that sold G4453 (PresActPtc) doves G4058,
[13] And G2532 said G3004 (PresActInd) unto them G846, It is written G1125 (PerfPasInd), My G3450 house G3624 shall be called G2564 (FutPasInd) the house G3624 of prayer G4335; but G1161 ye G5210 have made G4160 (AorActInd) it G846 a den G4693 of thieves G3027.
[14] And G2532 the blind G5185 and G2532 the lame G5560 came G4334 (AorActInd) to him G846 in G1722 the temple G2411; and G2532 he healed G2323 (AorActInd) them G846.
[15] And G1161 when the chief priests G749 and G2532 scribes G1122 saw G1492 (Aor2ActPtc) the wonderful things G2297 that G3739 he did G4160 (AorActInd), and G2532 the children G3816 crying G2896 (PresActPtc) in G1722 the temple G2411, and G2532 saying G3004 (PresActPtc), Hosanna G5614 to the Son G5207 of David G1138; they were sore displeased G23 (AorActInd),
[16] And G2532 said G2036 (Aor2ActInd) unto him G846, Hearest thou G191 (PresActInd) what G5101 these G3778 say G3004 (PresActInd)? And G1161 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 (PresActInd) unto them G846, Yea G3483; have ye never G3763 read G314 (Aor2ActInd), G3754 Out of G1537 the mouth G4750 of babes G3516 and G2532 sucklings G2337 (PresActPtc) thou hast perfected G2675 (AorMidInd) praise G136?
[17] And G2532 he left G2641 (Aor2ActPtc) them G846, and went G1831 (Aor2ActInd) out of G1854 the city G4172 into G1519 Bethany G963; and G2532 he lodged G835 (AorPasDepInd) there G1563.
[18] Now G1161 in the morning G4405 as he returned G1877 (PresActPtc) into G1519 the city G4172, he hungered G3983 (AorActInd).
[19] And G2532 when he saw G1492 (Aor2ActPtc) a G3391 fig tree G4808 in G1909 the way G3598, he came G2064 (Aor2ActInd) to G1909 it G846, and G2532 found G2147 (Aor2ActInd) nothing G3762 thereon G1722 G846, but G1508 leaves G5444 only G3440, and G2532 said G3004 (PresActInd) unto it G846, Let no G1096 fruit G2590 grow G1096 (Aor2MidDepSubj) on G1537 thee G4675 henceforward G3371 for G1519 ever G165. And G2532 presently G3916 the fig tree G4808 withered away G3583 (AorPasInd).
[20] And G2532 when the disciples G3101 saw G1492 (Aor2ActPtc) [it], they marvelled G2296 (AorActInd), saying G3004 (PresActPtc), How G4459 soon G3916 is the fig tree G4808 withered away G3583 (AorPasInd)!
[21] Jesus G2424 answered G611 (AorPasDepPtc) and G1161 said G2036 (Aor2ActInd) unto them G846, Verily G281 I say G3004 (PresActInd) unto you G5213, If G1437 ye have G2192 (PresActSubj) faith G4102, and G2532 doubt G1252 (AorPasSubj) not G3361, ye shall G4160 not G3756 only G3440 do G4160 (FutActInd) this G3440 [which is done] to the fig tree G4808, but G235 also if G2579 ye shall say G2036 (Aor2ActSubj) unto this G5129 mountain G3735, Be thou removed G142 (AorPasImpr), and G2532 be thou cast G906 (AorPasImpr) into G1519 the sea G2281; it shall be done G1096 (FutMidDepInd).
[22] And G2532 all things G3956, whatsoever G302 G3745 ye shall ask G154 (AorActSubj) in G1722 prayer G4335, believing G4100 (PresActPtc), ye shall receive G2983 (FutMidDepInd).
[23] And G2532 when he G846 was come G2064 (Aor2ActPtc) into G1519 the temple G2411, the chief priests G749 and G2532 the elders G4245 of the people G2992 came G4334 (AorActInd) unto him G846 as he was teaching G1321 (PresActPtc), and said G3004 (PresActPtc), By G1722 what G4169 authority G1849 doest thou G4160 (PresActInd) these things G5023? and G2532 who G5101 gave G1325 (AorActInd) thee G4671 this G5026 authority G1849?
[24] And G1161 Jesus G2424 answered G611 (AorPasDepPtc) and said G2036 (Aor2ActInd) unto them G846, I also G2504 will ask G2065 (FutActInd) you G5209 one G1520 thing G3056, which G3739 if G1437 ye tell G2036 (Aor2ActSubj) me G3427, I in like wise G2504 will tell G2046 (FutActInd) you G5213 by G1722 what G4169 authority G1849 I do G4160 (PresActInd) these things G5023.
[25] The baptism G908 of John G2491, whence G4159 was it G2258 (ImpfInd)? from G1537 heaven G3772, or G2228 of G1537 men G444? And G1161 they reasoned G1260 (ImpfMidPasDepInd) with G3844 themselves G1438, saying G3004 (PresActPtc), If G1437 we shall say G2036 (Aor2ActSubj), From G1537 heaven G3772; he will say G2046 (FutActInd) unto us G2254, Why G1302 did ye G4100 not G3756 then G3767 believe G4100 (AorActInd) him G846?
[26] But G1161 if G1437 we shall say G2036 (Aor2ActSubj), Of G1537 men G444; we fear G5399 (PresMidPasDepInd) the people G3793; for G1063 all G3956 hold G2192 (PresActInd) John G2491 as G5613 a prophet G4396.
[27] And G2532 they answered G611 (AorPasDepPtc) Jesus G2424, and said G2036 (Aor2ActInd), We cannot G3756 tell G1492 (PerfActInd). And G2532 he G846 said G5346 (ImpfInd) unto them G846, Neither G3761 tell G3004 (PresActInd) I G1473 you G5213 by G1722 what G4169 authority G1849 I do G4160 (PresActInd) these things G5023.
[28] But G1161 what G5101 think G1380 (PresActInd) ye G5213? A [certain] man G444 had G2192 (ImpfActInd) two G1417 sons G5043; and G2532 he came G4334 (Aor2ActPtc) to the first G4413, and said G2036 (Aor2ActInd), Son G5043, go G5217 (PresActImpr) work G2038 (PresMidPasDepImpr) to day G4594 in G1722 my G3450 vineyard G290.
[29] He answered G1161 G611 (AorPasDepPtc) and said G2036 (Aor2ActInd), I will G2309 (PresActInd) not G3756: but G1161 afterward G5305 he repented G3338 (AorPasDepPtc), and went G565 (Aor2ActInd).
[30] And G2532 he came G4334 (Aor2ActPtc) to the second G1208, and said G2036 (Aor2ActInd) likewise G5615. And G1161 he answered G611 (AorPasDepPtc) and said G2036 (Aor2ActInd), I G1473 [go], sir G2962: and G2532 went G565 (Aor2ActInd) not G3756.
[31] Whether G5101 of G1537 them twain G1417 did G4160 (AorActInd) the will G2307 of [his] father G3962? They say G3004 (PresActInd) unto him G846, The first G4413. Jesus G2424 saith G3004 (PresActInd) unto them G846, Verily G281 I say G3004 (PresActInd) unto you G5213, That G3754 the publicans G5057 and G2532 the harlots G4204 go G4254 into G1519 the kingdom G932 of God G2316 before G4254 (PresActInd) you G5209.
[32] For G1063 John G2491 came G2064 (Aor2ActInd) unto G4314 you G5209 in G1722 the way G3598 of righteousness G1343, and G2532 ye believed G4100 (AorActInd) him G846 not G3756: but G1161 the publicans G5057 and G2532 the harlots G4204 believed G4100 (AorActInd) him G846: and G1161 ye G5210, when ye had seen G1492 (Aor2ActPtc) [it], repented G3338 (AorPasDepInd) not G3756 afterward G5305, that ye might believe G4100 (AorActInf) him G846.
[33] Hear G191 (AorActImpr) another G243 parable G3850: There was G2258 (ImpfInd) a certain G444 G5100 householder G3617, which G3748 planted G5452 (AorActInd) a vineyard G290, and G2532 hedged G5418 it G846 round about G4060 (AorActInd), and G2532 digged G3736 (AorActInd) a winepress G3025 in G1722 it G846, and G2532 built G3618 (AorActInd) a tower G4444, and G2532 let G1554 it G846 out G1554 (Aor2MidInd) to husbandmen G1092, and G2532 went into a far country G589 (AorActInd):
[34] And G1161 when G3753 the time G2540 of the fruit G2590 drew near G1448 (AorActInd), he sent G649 (AorActInd) his G846 servants G1401 to G4314 the husbandmen G1092, that they might receive G2983 (Aor2ActInf) the fruits G2590 of it G846.
[35] And G2532 the husbandmen G1092 took G2983 (Aor2ActPtc) his G846 servants G1401, and beat G1194 (AorActInd) one G3739, G3303 and G1161 killed G615 (AorActInd) another G3739, and G1161 stoned G3036 (AorPasInd) another G3739.
[36] Again G3825, he sent G649 (AorActInd) other G243 servants G1401 more G4119 than the first G4413: and G2532 they did G4160 (AorActInd) unto them G846 likewise G5615.
[37] But G1161 last of all G5305 he sent G649 (AorActInd) unto G4314 them G846 his G846 son G5207, saying G3004 (PresActPtc), They will reverence G1788 (Fut2PasInd) my G3450 son G5207.
[38] But G1161 when the husbandmen G1092 saw G1492 (Aor2ActPtc) the son G5207, they said G2036 (Aor2ActInd) among G1722 themselves G1438, This G3778 is G2076 (PresInd) the heir G2818; come G1205 (Impr), let us kill G615 (PresActSubj) him G846, and G2532 let us seize G2722 (Aor2ActSubj) on his G846 inheritance G2817.
[39] And G2532 they caught G2983 (Aor2ActPtc) him G846, and cast G1544 (Aor2ActInd) [him] out of G1854 the vineyard G290, and G2532 slew G615 (AorActInd) [him].
[40] When G3752 the lord G2962 therefore G3767 of the vineyard G290 cometh G2064 (Aor2ActSubj), what G5101 will he do G4160 (FutActInd) unto those G1565 husbandmen G1092?
[41] They say G3004 (PresActInd) unto him G846, He will miserably G2560 destroy G622 (FutActInd) those G846 wicked men G2556, and G2532 will let out G1554 (FutMidDepInd) [his] vineyard G290 unto other G243 husbandmen G1092, which G3748 shall render G591 (FutActInd) him G846 the fruits G2590 in G1722 their G846 seasons G2540.
[42] Jesus G2424 saith G3004 (PresActInd) unto them G846, Did ye G314 never G3763 read G314 (Aor2ActInd) in G1722 the scriptures G1124, The stone G3037 which G3739 the builders G3618 (PresActPtc) rejected G593 (AorActInd), the same G3778 is become G1096 (AorPasDepInd) G1519 the head G2776 of the corner G1137: this G3778 is G3844 the Lord’s G2962 doing G1096 (Aor2MidDepInd), and G2532 it is G2076 (PresInd) marvellous G2298 in G1722 our G2257 eyes G3788?
[43] Therefore G1223 G5124 say I G3004 (PresActInd) unto you G5213, G3754 The kingdom G932 of God G2316 shall be taken G142 (FutPasInd) from G575 you G5216, and G2532 given G1325 (FutPasInd) to a nation G1484 bringing forth G4160 (PresActPtc) the fruits G2590 thereof G846.
[44] And G2532 whosoever shall fall G4098 (Aor2ActPtc) on G1909 this G5126 stone G3037 shall be broken G4917 (FutPasInd): but G1161 on G1909 whomsoever G3739 G302 it shall fall G4098 (Aor2ActSubj), it will grind G3039 him G846 to powder G3039 (FutActInd).
[45] And G2532 when the chief priests G749 and G2532 Pharisees G5330 had heard G191 (AorActPtc) his G846 parables G3850, they perceived G1097 (Aor2ActInd) that G3754 he spake G3004 (PresActInd) of G4012 them G846.
[46] But G2532 when they sought G2212 (PresActPtc) to lay hands G2902 (AorActInf) on him G846, they feared G5399 (AorPasDepInd) the multitude G3793, because G1894 they took G2192 (ImpfActInd) him G846 for G5613 a prophet G4396.

Young’s Literal Translation

Matthew 21 (YLT)

[1] And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, unto the mount of the Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
[2] saying to them, ‘Go on to the village over-against you, and immediately ye shall find an ass bound, and a colt with her-having loosed, bring ye to me;
[3] and if any one may say anything to you, ye shall say, that the lord hath need of them, and immediately he will send them.’
[4] And all this came to pass, that it might be fulfilled that was spoken through the prophet, saying,
[5] ‘Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Lo, thy king doth come to thee, meek, and mounted on an ass, and a colt, a foal of a beast of burden.’
[6] And the disciples having gone and having done as Jesus commanded them,
[7] brought the ass and the colt, and did put on them their garments, and set him upon them;
[8] and the very great multitude spread their own garments in the way, and others were cutting branches from the trees, and were strewing in the way,
[9] and the multitudes who were going before, and who were following, were crying, saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.’
[10] And he having entered into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’
[11] And the multitudes said, ‘This is Jesus the prophet, who is from Nazareth of Galilee.’
[12] And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and did cast forth all those selling and buying in the temple, and the tables of the money-changers he overturned, and the seats of those selling the doves,
[13] and he saith to them, ‘It hath been written, My house a house of prayer shall be called, but ye did make it a den of robbers.’
[14] And there came to him blind and lame men in the temple, and he healed them,
[15] and the chief priests and the scribes having seen the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ were much displeased;
[16] and they said to him, ‘Hearest thou what these say?’ And Jesus saith to them, ‘Yes, did ye never read, that, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou didst prepare praise?’
[17] And having left them, he went forth out of the city to Bethany, and did lodge there,
[18] and in the morning turning back to the city, he hungered,
[19] and having seen a certain fig-tree on the way, he came to it, and found nothing in it except leaves only, and he saith to it, ‘No more from thee may fruit be-to the age;’ and forthwith the fig-tree withered.
[20] And the disciples having seen, did wonder, saying, ‘How did the fig-tree forthwith wither?’
[21] And Jesus answering said to them, ‘Verily I say to you, If ye may have faith, and may not doubt, not only this of the fig-tree shall ye do, but even if to this mount ye may say, Be lifted up and be cast into the sea, it shall come to pass;
[22] and all-as much as ye may ask in the prayer, believing, ye shall receive.’
[23] And he having come to the temple, there came to him when teaching the chief priests and the elders of the people, saying, ‘By what authority dost thou do these things? and who gave thee this authority?’
[24] And Jesus answering said to them, ‘I will ask you-I also-one word, which if ye may tell me, I also will tell you by what authority I do these things;
[25] the baptism of John, whence was it?-from heaven, or from men?’ And they were reasoning with themselves, saying, ‘If we should say, From heaven; he will say to us, Wherefore, then, did ye not believe him?
[26] and if we should say, From men, we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.’
[27] And answering Jesus they said, ‘We have not known.’ He said to them-he also-‘Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
[28] ‘And what think ye? A man had two children, and having come to the first, he said, Child, go, to-day be working in my vineyard.’
[29] And he answering said, ‘I will not,’ but at last, having repented, he went.
[30] ‘And having come to the second, he said in the same manner, and he answering said, I go, sir, and went not;
[31] which of the two did the will of the father?’ They say to him, ‘The first.’ Jesus saith to them, ‘Verily I say to you, that the tax-gatherers and the harlots do go before you into the reign of God,
[32] for John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye did not believe him, and the tax-gatherers and the harlots did believe him, and ye, having seen, repented not at last-to believe him.
[33] ‘Hear ye another simile: There was a certain man, a householder, who planted a vineyard, and did put a hedge round it, and digged in it a wine-press, and built a tower, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad.
[34] ‘And when the season of the fruits came nigh, he sent his servants unto the husbandmen, to receive the fruits of it,
[35] and the husbandmen having taken his servants, one they scourged, and one they killed, and one they stoned.
[36] ‘Again he sent other servants more than the first, and they did to them in the same manner.
[37] ‘And at last he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son;
[38] and the husbandmen having seen the son, said among themselves, This is the heir, come, we may kill him, and may possess his inheritance;
[39] and having taken him, they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him;
[40] whenever therefore the lord of the vineyard may come, what will he do to these husbandmen?’
[41] They say to him, ‘Evil men-he will evilly destroy them, and the vineyard will give out to other husbandmen, who will give back to him the fruits in their seasons.’
[42] Jesus saith to them, ‘Did ye never read in the Writings, A stone that the builders disallowed, it became head of a corner; from the Lord hath this come to pass, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
[43] ‘Because of this I say to you, that the reign of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth its fruit;
[44] and he who is falling on this stone shall be broken, and on whomsoever it may fall it will crush him to pieces.’
[45] And the chief priests and the Pharisees having heard his similes, knew that of them he speaketh,
[46] and seeking to lay hold on him, they feared the multitudes, seeing they were holding him as a prophet.