Authority & Repentance

In the previous paragraph, Jesus demonstrates that the impenitence of the priests, elders, and scribes was intentional and unreasonable, being based on their impossible belief that they were the final authority for themselves and others. In this parable, Jesus shows that this ungodly view of authority was behind their unrepentance. According to their own authority, John the Baptist was just a man and not a prophet — through they dared not say so. That same view led them to ignore John's message of repentance, even though every proof said otherwise. And, ignoring that call to repentance led them to this point — where those who repented, regardless of how heinous their sins, were received of God into His kingdom, and they were shut out. So, when we rely on our own authority, we will find ourselves outside of the kingdom of God.