What is the meaning of Matthew 21:28? But what do you think? Jesus begins by pulling His listeners—the chief priests and elders—into active reflection. • This question invites self-examination much like Matthew 18:12, where He asks, “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep…,” insisting that truth must be personally processed, not merely observed. • By opening with a direct challenge, Jesus underscores that accountability before God is individual (2 Corinthians 13:5) and immediate (James 1:22). There was a man who had two sons. A familiar household scene becomes the stage for spiritual truth. • As in Luke 15:11, “A man had two sons,” paired children often portray contrast: obedience versus rebellion (Genesis 4:1-5). • The “man” represents God the Father, emphasizing His rightful authority over His household (Hebrews 12:9). • Two sons highlight that all who hear God’s call—religious leaders and common people alike—must choose how to respond (Romans 2:11). He went to the first one The father takes the initiative, illustrating God’s pursuit of us. • Luke 19:10 reminds us, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” • The personal approach echoes Revelation 3:20, where the Lord stands at the door and knocks, seeking fellowship. • God’s call is not a vague proclamation but a personal invitation to each heart (Isaiah 65:1). and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ The command is clear, the timing urgent, and the location purposeful. • “Son” communicates relationship; we are called to serve as children, not slaves (Galatians 4:7). • “Go and work” links privilege to responsibility. Faith proves itself through action (James 2:17). • “Today” signals that obedience cannot be deferred (Hebrews 3:15: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts”). • “In the vineyard” recalls Matthew 20:1-7, where laborers are hired for the Master’s vineyard—God’s kingdom field where fruit is expected (John 15:8). summary Matthew 21:28 opens a parable that contrasts mere profession with genuine obedience. By framing the story with a probing question, presenting a father with two sons, highlighting the father’s personal approach, and issuing an urgent call to work, Jesus shows that God seeks immediate, tangible response from His children. True faith is measured not by words alone but by timely, willing labor in the Father’s vineyard. |
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