The Parable of the Two Sons is a poignant teaching of Jesus Christ found in the Gospel of Matthew. This parable is a profound illustration of obedience, repentance, and the kingdom of God, emphasizing the importance of actions over mere words.

Scriptural Context

The Parable of the Two Sons is recorded in Matthew 21:28-32. It is set within a series of confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time. These leaders questioned Jesus' authority, prompting Him to respond with this parable, which serves as both a rebuke and a lesson.

Text of the Parable

In the Berean Standard Bible, the parable is presented as follows:

"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.’ ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." (Matthew 21:28-32)

Interpretation and Themes

1. Obedience and Repentance: The parable contrasts two responses to the father's command. The first son initially refuses but later repents and obeys. The second son agrees to work but fails to follow through. This highlights the value of true repentance and obedience to God's will, rather than empty promises or superficial compliance.

2. Condemnation of Hypocrisy: Jesus uses this parable to expose the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. They professed righteousness and adherence to the law but failed to recognize and accept the message of John the Baptist and Jesus Himself. Their outward appearance of piety was not matched by genuine obedience to God.

3. Inclusivity of the Kingdom: The parable underscores the inclusivity of God's kingdom. Jesus points out that those considered sinners, such as tax collectors and prostitutes, who repented and believed, were entering the kingdom of God ahead of the self-righteous religious leaders. This serves as a powerful reminder that God's grace is available to all who truly repent and believe, regardless of their past.

4. Authority of Jesus: By telling this parable, Jesus asserts His authority and challenges the religious leaders' understanding of righteousness. He emphasizes that true authority comes from God and is demonstrated through actions aligned with His will.

Historical and Cultural Background

In the cultural context of first-century Judea, the vineyard was a common symbol for Israel, and working in the vineyard represented serving God. The parable's setting would have been familiar to Jesus' audience, making its message all the more impactful. The religious leaders, who prided themselves on their knowledge of the law and their status, would have been challenged by the notion that those they deemed unworthy were entering the kingdom ahead of them.

Application for Believers

The Parable of the Two Sons calls believers to examine their own lives and attitudes toward God's commands. It encourages a heart of genuine repentance and a commitment to follow through on one's promises to God. It also serves as a reminder to avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy and to embrace the transformative power of God's grace, which is extended to all who turn to Him in faith.Matthew 21:28-32
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Group --The Two Sons, the Wicked Husbandmen, and the Marriage of ...
... of the brightest jewels which shine in the life of Christ are the ... in Matthew's Gospel,
we encounter a group of three parables, the two sons, the wicked ...
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The Three Parables of the Gospel: of the Recovery of the Lost - of ...
... form, and the contrast in spirit, of analogous Rabbinic Parables. ... in regard to the
high place which Christ assigned to ... It is the younger of two sons of a father ...
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Second Great Group of Parables.
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The first two parables depict the efforts of Christ in the ...
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The Parables of the Kingdom.
... Two other Parables of "The ... who were shut out at the last because their lamps had
gone out, are a warning to all who profess the faith of Christ and have ...
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Chronological Table of the Life of Christ [From Andrews. ]
... ". 29. ". Peter's confession that he is the Christ: the transfiguration. ". 29. ". ...
Mon., " 3. 30. ". Teaching in the temple; parables of the two sons; of the wicked ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/chronological table of the life.htm

Certain General Principles of Parabolic Interpretation These ...
... Now, of course the (parable of) the two sons will point ... sign and seal of baptism;
and Christ will again ... the habit both of typifying in parables and preaching ...
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The Two Sons.
The Parables of Our Lord. ... I would like to creep near the spot where two saved sinners ...
to meet,"the man who wrote this narrative of Christ's ministry, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/x the two sons.htm

The Third Day in Pasion-Week - the Last Series of Parables: to the ...
... Closely connected with the two preceding Parables, and, indeed, with the whole tenor
of Christ's sayings at ... in the Parable of the Two Sons, reference is ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the third day.htm

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
... SUMMARY AND RETROSPECT OF THE PUBLIC MINISTRY OF CHRIST. ... IN PASION-WEEK - THE LAST
SERIES OF PARABLES: TO THE ... OF THE NO' AND YES' OF THE TWO SONS - THE PARABLE ...
//christianbookshelf.org/edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/

The Three Parables of Warning: to the Individual, to the Nation ...
... Each of the three Parables is set in an historical frame ... table, and to all such
perversion of Christ's Words and ... six parts, and the eldest son had two parts, or ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvi the three parables.htm

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