24. And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise 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 reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?
26. But if we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet.
27. And they answered Jesus, and said, We know not. He also said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
28. But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in the vineyard.
29. And he answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented himself, and went.
30. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31. Whether of the twain did the will of his father? They say, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32. 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 saw it, did not even repent yourselves afterward, that ye might believe him.