Matthew 21:23-32

With the finish in sight Jesus taught about authority and repentance Matthew 21:23-32: The chief priest and elders confronted Jesus with questions about His authority. "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave You this authority?" (Matthew 21:23) He answered their questions by saying "I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?" (Matthew 21:24-25) They would not answer Jesus. His question is still valid -- "From heaven or from men?" Ask that question about (1) Sprinkling for baptism, "From heaven or from men?" (2) The doctrine of once saved always saved, "From heaven or from men?" (3) Instrumental music in worship and a host of other religious matters -- "From heaven or from men?" Accept that which is from heaven; reject that which is from men.

Repentance is a change of mind or heart followed by a change of action. This is illustrated by the son that at first said "no" but later repented (regretted it) and went. (Matthew 21:29) Jesus used this parable of the two sons to teach the chief priests, elders and all that promise God but do not perform. "Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him." (Matthew 21:31-32)