Prostitutes Go in Before Priests

Article by

Founder & Teacher, desiringGod.org

The last reference to John the Baptist in our four Gospels is in the final week of Jesus’ life. Jesus mentioned him to explain this astonishing statement to the chief priests and elders:

Truly , I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. (Matthew 21:31)

How in the world can a prostitute enter heaven before a priest?

Jesus explains:

For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. (Matthew 21:32)

The reason prostitutes are entering heaven before priests is that they believed John.

If you are a prostitute or a financial cheater, you may go into heaven before some priests, pastors, and TV preachers. The way in is— Believe what John the Baptist said:

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.... This is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” (John 1:33, 36)