Ep. 100: The two sons

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MATTHEW 21:28-32

The second parable in this series - or perhaps rather an illustration - introduces a man who has two sons. He goes to the first and, speaking affectionately, bids him go and work in his vineyard. The son rudely refuses, but afterwards. He changes his mind and goes. Meantime the father, when refused by the one, has gone to his other son on the same errand. The contrast here is marked. The tone is most polite and the answer of the son contains not only a promise, but we almost see him going - yet he did not go!

The application was easy. The first son represented the tax collectors and prostitutes, whose refusal of the Father’s call was implied in their life of reckless sin. But afterwards, they changed their mind and went into the Father’s vineyard. The other son, with his politeness of tone and ready promise, but utter neglect of obligations undertaken, represented the Pharisees with their hypocritical and empty professions. And Jesus obliged them to make application of the parable. When challenged by the Lord, which of the two had done the will of his father? They could not avoid the answer.

This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £10 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)