Which of the two did the will of his father?
They said unto him, The first. Jesus said unto them,
Verily I say unto you, That the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
All Commentaries on Matthew 21:31 Go To Matthew 21
John Chrysostom
AD 407
If he had said simply, harlots go before you, the word would have seemed to them to be offensive. But now, uttered after their own judgment, it appears to be less harsh. The Gospel of Matthew, Homily