Matthew 21:28
New International Version
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

New Living Translation
“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’

English Standard Version
“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’

Berean Standard Bible
But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

Berean Literal Bible
But what do you think? A man had two sons, and having come to the first he said, 'Son, go work in the vineyard today.'

King James Bible
But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

New King James Version
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’

New American Standard Bible
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’

NASB 1995
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’

NASB 1977
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’

Legacy Standard Bible
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’

Amplified Bible
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’

Christian Standard Bible
“What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘My son, go work in the vineyard today.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, My son, go, work in the vineyard today.’

American Standard Version
But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in the vineyard.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus said: I will tell you a story about a man who had two sons. Then you can tell me what you think. The father went to the older son and said, "Go work in the vineyard today!"

English Revised Version
But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in the vineyard.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"What do you think about this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go to work in the vineyard today.'

Good News Translation
"Now, what do you think? There was once a man who had two sons. He went to the older one and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'

International Standard Version
"But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'

Majority Standard Bible
But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ?Son, go and work today in my vineyard.?

NET Bible
"What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'

New Heart English Bible
But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, 'Son, go work today in the vineyard.'

Webster's Bible Translation
But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go, work to-day in my vineyard.

Weymouth New Testament
"But give me your judgement. There was a man who had two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "'My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.'

World English Bible
But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And what do you think? A man had two children, and having come to the first, he said, Child, go, today be working in my vineyard.

Berean Literal Bible
But what do you think? A man had two sons, and having come to the first he said, 'Son, go work in the vineyard today.'

Young's Literal Translation
'And what think ye? A man had two children, and having come to the first, he said, Child, go, to-day be working in my vineyard.'

Smith's Literal Translation
But what seems to you A man had two children; and having come to the first, he said, Child, retire today, work in my vineyard.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and coming to the first, he said: Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But how does it seem to you? A certain man had two sons. And approaching the first, he said: ‘Son, go out today to work in my vineyard.’

New American Bible
“What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’

New Revised Standard Version
“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
What do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first one and said to him, My son, go and work today in the vineyard.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But how does it seem to you? A certain man had two sons and he called the first and said to him, 'My son, go work today in the vineyard.'”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But what think you? A man had two sons; and he went to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard.

Godbey New Testament
What seems to you? A man had two sons; and going to the first, he said, Child, go to-day, work in my vineyard.

Haweis New Testament
But what think ye? A man had two sons; and coming to the first he said, Son, go work to-day in my vineyard.

Mace New Testament
But what do you think of this? a man had two sons, and coming to the first, he said, son, go, work to-day in my vineyard.

Weymouth New Testament
"But give me your judgement. There was a man who had two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "'My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.'

Worrell New Testament
"But what think ye? A man had two children; and to the first, he said, 'Child, go, work today in the vineyard.'

Worsley New Testament
But what think ye of this? There was a man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, Son, go, work to day in my vineyard:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Two Sons
27So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.…

Cross References
Luke 15:11-32
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. / The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. / After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. ...

James 1:22-25
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...

Ezekiel 18:21-24
But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. / Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live? ...

Romans 2:13
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

Luke 6:46
Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?

John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Isaiah 1:19-20
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. / But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Jeremiah 7:23-24
but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. / Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Luke 11:28
But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Hebrews 3:7-8
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.

John 13:17
If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.


Treasury of Scripture

But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

what.

Matthew 17:25
He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

Matthew 22:17
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

Luke 13:4
Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

A certain.

Luke 15:11-32
And he said, A certain man had two sons: …

Son.

Matthew 20:5-7
Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise…

Mark 13:34
For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Jump to Previous
Child Children Elder First Judgement Seem Think Today To-Day Vineyard Work Working
Jump to Next
Child Children Elder First Judgement Seem Think Today To-Day Vineyard Work Working
Matthew 21
1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey
12. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;
17. curses the fig tree;
23. puts to silence the priests and elders,
28. and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,
33. and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.














But what do you think?
This phrase introduces a parable, inviting the listener to engage deeply with the forthcoming story. In the Greek, "τί δὲ ὑμῖν δοκεῖ;" (ti de hymin dokei?) is a rhetorical question that challenges the audience to reflect on their own understanding and judgment. Jesus often used questions to provoke thought and self-examination, encouraging His listeners to consider their own beliefs and actions in light of the truth He was about to reveal.

A man had two sons
The phrase sets the stage for a familial relationship, a common motif in Jesus' parables. The Greek word for "sons" is "υἱούς" (huious), which emphasizes the relational aspect and the expectation of obedience and honor within a family. In the cultural context of the time, sons were expected to carry on the family name and work, making their responses to their father's requests significant.

He went to the first and said
This action of the father approaching the first son highlights the initiative and authority of the father. The Greek verb "προσελθὼν" (proselthōn) implies a deliberate approach, indicating the father's active role in seeking a response from his son. This reflects God's initiative in reaching out to humanity, inviting us to respond to His call.

'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
The father's command is direct and clear, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the task. The vineyard is a common biblical symbol for Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7) and, by extension, God's kingdom. The Greek word for "work" is "ἐργάζου" (ergazou), which implies labor and effort, suggesting that participation in God's kingdom requires active engagement and commitment.

He answered, 'I will not,' but later he changed his mind and went
The initial refusal of the first son is a stark contrast to his eventual obedience. The Greek word for "changed his mind" is "μεταμεληθεὶς" (metamelētheis), which indicates a change of heart or repentance. This transformation underscores the theme of repentance and redemption, illustrating that true obedience is not about initial responses but about the ultimate decision to align with the father's will.

(28) But what think ye?--The question serves to connect the parable with the foregoing incident, and so gives point to its special primary application. In many MSS. the answers of the two sons are inverted, and it is accordingly the "second," and not the first, who is said, in Matthew 21:31, to have done the will of his Father.

Go work to day in my vineyard.--The parable rests on the same imagery as that of the Labourers, with some special variations. Both of those who are called to work are "sons," and not hired labourers--i.e., there is a recognition of both Pharisees and publicans, the outwardly religious and the conspicuously irreligious, as being alike, in a sense, children of God.

Verses 28-32. - The parable of the two sons. (Peculiar to St. Matthew.) Verse 28. - But what think ye? A formula connecting what follows with what has preceded, and making the hearers themselves the judges. By this and the succeeding parables, Jesus shows his interlocutors their true guilty position and the punishment that awaited them. He himself explains the present parable in reference to his hearers, though, of course, it has, and is meant to have, a much wider application. A certain man (ἄνθρωπος, a man) had two sons. The man represents God; the two sons symbolize two classes of Jews - the Pharisees, with their followers and imitators; and the lawless and sinful, who made no pretence of religion. The former are those who profess to keep the Law strictly, to the very letter, though they care nothing for its spirit, and virtually divorce religion from morality The latter are careless and profane persons, whom the Lord calls "publicans and harlots" (ver. 31). The first. Westcott and Hort, relying on no very weighty authority, reverse the order of the sons' answers, altering ver. 31 in agreement with this arrangement. Christ's reply countenances the received text, setting the repentant before the professing son. It is a matter of small importance (see Tischendorf, in loc.). "The first son "here typifies the evil and immoral among the Jewish people. Go, work today. Two emphatic imperatives. Immediate obedience is required. "Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Psalm 95:7, 8). God called his sons to serve in his vineyard - the Church. He called them by the prophets, and more especially by John the Baptist, to turn from evil ways, and to do works meet for repentance (Matthew 3:8). Christ gives two examples, showing how this call was received.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

what
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

[do] you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

think?
δοκεῖ (dokei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.

[There was] a man
ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

who had
εἶχεν (eichen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

two
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

sons.
τέκνα (tekna)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.

He went
προσελθὼν (proselthōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4334: From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.

to the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

first
πρώτῳ (prōtō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.

[and] said,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

‘Son,
Τέκνον (Teknon)
Noun - Vocative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.

go
ὕπαγε (hypage)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 5217: To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively.

[and] work
ἐργάζου (ergazou)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2038: To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor.

today
σήμερον (sēmeron)
Adverb
Strong's 4594: Today, now. Neuter of a presumed compound of the article ho and hemera; on the day; generally, now.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

vineyard.’
ἀμπελῶνι (ampelōni)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 290: A vineyard. From ampelos; a vineyard.


Links
Matthew 21:28 NIV
Matthew 21:28 NLT
Matthew 21:28 ESV
Matthew 21:28 NASB
Matthew 21:28 KJV

Matthew 21:28 BibleApps.com
Matthew 21:28 Biblia Paralela
Matthew 21:28 Chinese Bible
Matthew 21:28 French Bible
Matthew 21:28 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Matthew 21:28 But what do you think? A man (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 21:27
Top of Page
Top of Page