en_tn_condensed/mat/21/31.md

# They said

"The chief priests and elders said"

# Jesus said to them

"Jesus said to the chief priests and elders"

# Truly I say to you

"I tell you the truth." This phrase adds emphasis to what Jesus says next.

# the tax collectors and the prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God before you do

Here "kingdom of God" refers to God's rule as king. AT: "when God establishes his rule on earth, he will agree to bless the tax collectors and prostitutes by ruling over them before he agrees to do that for you" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# before you do

Possible meanings are 1) God will accept the tax collectors and prostitutes sooner than he will accept the Jewish religious leaders, or 2) God will accept the tax collectors and prostitutes instead of the Jewish religious leaders.

# John came to you

Here "you" is plural and refers to all the people of Israel not just the religious leaders. AT: "John came to the people of Israel" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

# in the way of righteousness

This is an idiom that means John showed the people the right way to live. AT: "and told you the way God wants you to live" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# you did not believe him

Here "you" is plural and refers to the religious leaders. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])