Matthew 21:29 Meaning and Explanation
“He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The first son refuses at first but later repents and goes to work.
What Does Matthew 21:29 Mean?
The first son openly refuses his father's request, saying, "I will not." Yet afterward he changes his mind, repents, and goes to do the work after all. His final action overturns his initial defiance.
This son pictures those who at first reject God's call but later turn and obey from the heart. His repentance is what matters in the end, for it leads to genuine action. The story honors the change that produces real obedience over the impression made by first words. God welcomes the one who, having said no, returns in humility and does the Father's will.
Matthew 21:29 in the Original Language
metamelomai (μεταμέλομαι), 'repented' -- to change one's mind and turn from a former course.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 21:29
What does Matthew 21:29 mean?
The first son refuses at first but later repents and goes to work.