The Parable of the Two Sons

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1. Title of the Parable

The Parable of the Two Sons

2. Scripture Reference(s)

  • Matthew 21:28–32 (M)

3. Thematic Category

Love and Mercy to Others; Obedience; Repentance; Faithfulness in Action

4. Parable Summary

Jesus presents a story of a father who asks his two sons to work in the vineyard:

  • The first son says “I will not,” but later changes his mind and goes.
  • The second son says “I go, sir,” but never follows through.

Jesus asks, “Which of the two did the will of his father?” The crowd answers, “The first.” Jesus then applies the parable: tax collectors and prostitutes, though initially disobedient, are entering the Kingdom ahead of the religious leaders because they believed and repented when they heard John the Baptist.

5. Cultural and Historical Context

In Jewish society, obedience to one’s father was a fundamental cultural and religious value, especially in fulfilling family responsibilities such as working in a vineyard.

This parable was told in Jerusalem during Jesus’ final week, a time of mounting confrontation with religious authorities. Jesus was directly challenging the superficial piety of the chief priests and elders, who appeared obedient but refused to act on God’s message through John the Baptist and now through Jesus Himself.

The image of a vineyard echoes Old Testament symbolism for Israel as God’s vineyard (cf. Isaiah 5:1–7), highlighting the national and covenantal implications.

6. Literary Form and Structure

  • Type: Judgment parable / comparison parable
  • Structure: Instruction → Contrasting responses → Audience verdict → Applied judgment
  • Techniques: Dialogue, irony, reversal, rhetorical question

7. Theological Meaning and Kingdom Implications

The parable teaches that:

  • True obedience is shown in action, not profession.
  • God values repentance and change over initial religiosity.
  • The Kingdom welcomes the morally broken who respond in faith and humility.
  • Those in positions of religious privilege are not guaranteed inclusion if they refuse to respond to God’s message.

This parable radically redefines spiritual legitimacy based on responsive obedience rather than external appearance.

8. Moral and Ethical Lessons

  • Saying the right thing is not enough—doing the Father’s will is what matters.
  • Repentance transforms disobedience into obedience—there’s always a way back to God.
  • Empty religion is exposed when lives do not match words.
  • God honours genuine humility over performative piety.

9. Jesus’ Interpretation or Explanation

Jesus makes a direct application in Matthew 21:31–32:

“Truly I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.”

He explains that these outsiders believed John the Baptist, while the religious leaders saw but refused to believe or repent. This stark application exposes hypocrisy and celebrates transformative mercy.

10. Application for Contemporary Readers

  • Warns believers against complacent religiosity—real faith acts.
  • Encourages those with broken pasts that God honours repentance and change.
  • Exposes the danger of spiritual pride and presumption based on religious appearance.
  • Calls Christians to align their professions of faith with concrete obedience.

11. Comparative Insights and Scholarly Commentary

  • Augustine saw the sons as representing the two kinds of people within the Church—those who repent and those who persist in self-deception.
  • Calvin emphasised that true faith is shown in practical submission, not hollow claims.
  • Craig Blomberg views the main lesson as: repentant sinners obey God more than unrepentant religious elites.
  • N.T. Wright connects the parable to Israel’s leaders who rejected the messianic fulfilment of God’s plan, while outcasts embraced it.
  • R.T. France underscores that the Kingdom’s entry is determined by response, not reputation.

12. Cross-References

  • James 1:22 – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only”
  • Luke 7:29–30 – Tax collectors justified God by receiving John’s baptism
  • Hosea 6:6 – “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”
  • Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’…”

13. Key Quotes and Phrases

  • “I will not; but afterward he changed his mind and went.” (Matt. 21:29)
  • “I go, sir, but did not go.” (Matt. 21:30)
  • “Which of the two did the will of his father?” (Matt. 21:31)
  • “The tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.” (Matt. 21:31)
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