Parable of the Two Sons

For another parable told by Jesus about two sons, see Parable of the Prodigal Son.

The Parable of the Two Sons is a parable told by Jesus in the New Testament, found in Matthew (Matthew 21:28–32). It contrasts the tax collectors and prostitutes who accepted the message taught by John the Baptist with the ostensibly religious people who did not.

Jesus and John the Baptist (15th century)

Summary

A man with two sons asks them both to go work that day in his vineyard. One of them said that he wouldn't do it, but then does it regardless. The other said that he'd do it, but then he didn't.

Narrative in Matthew's Gospel

In the Gospel of Matthew, the parable is as follows:

"What do you think? A certain man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said 'I will not'. But later, he changed his mind & went. He came to the second and said likewise. He answered and said, 'I am going, sir', and went not. Which of the two did his father's will?" They said: "The first". Jesus said to them, "Verily I say unto you, the publicans and the harlots are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." Matthew 21:28-32

Interpretation

In this parable, Jesus reproved those who considered themselves virtuous; whereas those whom they considered sinners, such as the tax collectors and prostitutes, were accepting the message of John the Baptist and repenting. The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican has a similar theme.

Parable of the two sons

Cornelius a Lapide, in his great commentary, writes that "This parable scarcely needs an explanation, because Christ applies and explains it. In truth, the first—being at the beginning unwilling to obey his father, but afterwards repenting and obeying, by going to work in the vineyard—denotes the publicans and harlots; who at first by their sins repelled the will and law of God, but afterwards by John's preaching came to a better mind, and did penance, and lived chastely and justly, according to the law of God. The second son—who said to his father that he would go into the vineyard, but broke his word, and went not—denotes the Scribes and Pharisees; who always had the law of God in their mouths (as though they were most zealous and religious observers of it), but did not fulfil it in their deeds, but by lust, rapine, and usury acted contrary to it. Wherefore they provoked the heavy displeasure and anger of God against them, as well on account of their wickedness itself as because of their hypocrisy and feigned observance of the Law. For such hypocrisy and duplicity grievously provokes God."