Christians only, please! Parable of the two sons in Matthew 21?

Question

In this parable, is Jesus comparing the priests and elders to the first son, the second, or neither? Also, if He asked me the question in v. 31, I would've said the first son, like they did. Was He saying that that answer is incorrect, or is that beside the point? Thanks!

Matthew 21
28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’
29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.
30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him."

Answer 1

Where people miss this is, Jesus is not "condemning" their answer. They got the answer right. But because they did recognize who did the fathers will, then they are able to recognize their Father's will. Basically, Jesus took the, "we didn't know" excuse away from them, and corrected them, so they would repent.

Jesus was helping them, by showing them the errors of their way. They were human, just like me and you. We all need help, don't we?

Answer 2

Jesus was showing that while they tax collectors and harlots were at first refusing to obey God, they heard John's preaching and turned around and obeyed. The priest and elders on the other hand, claimed to be obeying God, where saying that they were, but actually were not. Even when John showed them their error, they refused to change. So even though the others started out in disobediance, they changed and believed and so will be the ones to enter the kingdom first.

Answer 3

A man had two children. Going up to the first, he said, ‘Child, go work today in the vineyard.’ In answer this one said, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go out. Approaching the second, he said the same. In reply this one said, ‘I will not.’ Afterwards he felt regret and went out. Which of the two did the will of his father?”—Matthew 21:28-31.

The answer is obvious. Like the crowd who heard Jesus, we would reply, “The latter.” But beyond the obvious, by means of that illustration, Jesus was calling to our attention that doing what the father wanted was what counted. Although the second son said that he did not want to go, he did anyway and was commended for it. Doing the right kind of work is equally important. The second son acted by working in the father’s vineyard; he did not go out and work in his own vineyard.

Which of the two did the will of his father?” Jesus asks.

“The latter,” his opponents answer.

So Jesus explains: “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and the harlots are going ahead of you into the kingdom of God.” The tax collectors and the harlots, in effect, initially refused to serve God. But then, like the second child, they repented and did serve him. On the other hand, the religious leaders, like the first child, professed to serve God, yet, as Jesus notes: “John [the Baptizer] came to you in a way of righteousness, but you did not believe him. However, the tax collectors and the harlots believed him, and you, although you saw this, did not feel regret afterwards so as to believe him.”

Jesus next shows that the failure of these religious leaders is not simply in neglecting to serve God. No, but they are actually evil, wicked men.

Jesus points to the application of his illustration in verses 31 and 32. He indicates that the chief priests and the older men of influence to whom he was speaking were comparable to the first child, professing to serve God but actually failing to do so. On the other hand, the tax collectors and harlots who believed John the Baptizer were like the second child; at first they rudely refused to serve God but later felt regret and changed their course.

Answer 4

I believe that he is calling them hypocrites for saying they will preach the word of the Lord, but upon meeting Jesus they persecuted Him. They said the first son, which I believe models most people who sin against God, then return to Him and repent. They resembled the second son, however, in not doing the duty they promised they would. I'm not a preacher or a biblical scholar or anything, but it's just a thought.

Answer 5

The spiritual leaders of Jesus day were into following man made rules of their own making.They looked down on Jesus or anyone who had anything to do with those that they considered sinners for not following all these rules..But judgment of others is also a sin.Jesus' point...You who are religious leaders ask for no forgiveness for your sins,yet you condemn those who started out doing the wrong things and now seek to repent and find their why to what is right.Therefore,the sinners are like the son who told the father I will not but then repented and did as the father asked. The religious leaders were like the son who said yes father,I will follow you and then went his own way.

Answer 6

the priests are supposed to be devoting thier lives to God, but Jesus says they are not. harlots and tax collectors denied God, but came to him when they listened to John.

the harlots and tax collecters are the first son, and the priests the second.

Answer 7

It was the first son who repented and did as his father instructed. Like all of us sometimes we would rather not at first do a job requested of us, but realize that it is important and recognize the authority of the one asking.

The second son ( ie Pharisee) lied to the father that he would do the work . He chose not to obey his father. He did not recognize his fathers authority nor respect it.

Jesus used this parable to show that those who obey Him no matter what their circumstances in life do recognize Him as having God's authority over them, and that He is their savior. Without recognition of Jesus as Savior there is no gift of salvation. Remember His words " I and my Father are one, Whom so ever has me has my Father"

Answer 8

It was the second son, cause the first son said no, but was sorry later and gone....Good question! I had to read this over and over again. does this sound right,or could i be wrong? Ill be studying this later for myself and get back with you. This was the best question i ever read on here.

Answer 9

Jesus was saying that the Pharisees were like the second son. He was scolding them for saying one thing and doing another.

Answer 10

Probably the second, because they SAY they are following God's Word and they may even go through the motions, but they don't believe it.