Have you ever said you’d do something but didn’t follow through? The parable of the two sons speaks directly to this struggle. Found in Matthew 21:28-32, this parable is part of a larger conversation Jesus had with religious leaders in the temple. As He often did, Jesus used a simple story to reveal deeper truths about our relationship with God.
In this parable, two sons respond differently to their father’s request to work in the vineyard. One initially refuses but later obeys. The other agrees to go but never does. Through this, Jesus contrasts genuine obedience with empty promises. It’s not just about what we say but what we do that matters in God’s kingdom.
Jesus’ teaching here challenges us to evaluate our actions, not just our words. Are we truly living in alignment with God’s will, or are we offering lip service while doing our own thing? By exploring the parable of the two sons, we’ll uncover practical lessons on repentance, humility, and genuine obedience.
Let’s dig into this story together and discover how we can better align our lives with God’s call. The vineyard awaits—how will we respond?
Setting the Scene: Context of the Parable
The parable of the two sons takes place during a tense moment in Jesus’ ministry. He was teaching in the temple, surrounded by crowds eager to hear Him. However, not everyone in the audience was there to learn. The chief priests and elders, known for their strict adherence to religious law, were questioning His authority. They demanded to know, “By what authority are you doing these things?”
Instead of answering directly, Jesus turned the tables. He asked them about John the Baptist’s ministry, forcing them to confront their own lack of belief. This exchange revealed their unwillingness to accept the truth, despite their outward religious appearances.
In this setting, Jesus shared the parable of the two sons, exposing the difference between outward appearances and inward obedience. The religious leaders, who appeared righteous, were like the second son who said “yes” but failed to act. Meanwhile, tax collectors and sinners, who had initially disobeyed, were repenting and entering God’s kingdom.
This parable directly challenged the audience to reflect on their response to God’s call. It also highlighted the importance of repentance and genuine obedience over empty words. Through this story, Jesus revealed who truly belongs in His kingdom.
The ESV Study Bible
The ESV Study Bible was designed to help us understand the Bible in a deeper way. Created by a diverse team of 95 leading Bible scholars and teachers, from 9 countries, nearly 20 denominations, and 50 seminaries, colleges, and universities.
The Parable Explained
In the parable of the two sons, Jesus uses a simple yet profound story to challenge our understanding of obedience and faith. Through the actions of two sons responding to their father’s request, Jesus highlights the stark contrast between words and actions. This parable not only reveals the importance of repentance but also challenges us to evaluate whether our own actions align with God’s will. Let’s take a closer look at the story, its characters, and the powerful message Jesus conveys.
The Two Sons
In the parable of the two sons, Jesus presents two very different characters. The first son initially refuses his father’s request but later changes his mind and obeys. His actions demonstrate repentance and a willingness to correct his initial disobedience. On the other hand, the second son agrees to work but never follows through. Though he says the right words, his actions reveal a lack of commitment. These two sons symbolize two types of people: those who initially reject God but repent and those who appear obedient but fail to act.
The Father’s Request
The father asks both sons to work in his vineyard, a familiar image symbolizing God’s kingdom. This task represents living in obedience to God’s will. The father’s authority reflects God’s rightful expectation for His children to serve Him faithfully. The vineyard serves as a metaphor for God’s work, requiring effort, dedication, and a willingness to follow His direction. While the first son ultimately honors the father’s request, the second son dishonors him by failing to act on his words.
Jesus’ Question
Jesus asks, “Which of the two did the will of the father?” The religious leaders correctly answer, “The first.” This response reveals their understanding of the importance of actions over empty words. However, Jesus uses this acknowledgment to confront their hypocrisy. He points out that tax collectors and sinners, like the first son, are repenting and entering God’s kingdom, while they, like the second son, fail to act on God’s call. The parable of the two sons challenges us to reflect on our own responses to God and emphasizes that true obedience requires action, not just words.
Key Lessons from the Parable
The parable of the two sons offers profound lessons about obedience, repentance, and the dangers of self-righteousness. Through this story, Jesus challenges us to reflect on how our actions align with God’s will. Are we merely saying the right things, or are we genuinely following through with obedient lives? This parable not only highlights the importance of repentance but also serves as a warning against the empty promises of outward religiosity. Let’s explore these key lessons and their relevance to our walk with God.
Obedience Requires Action
The parable of the two sons emphasizes that true obedience is not just about what we say but what we do. The first son initially says “no” to his father but later goes to work in the vineyard. His actions demonstrate that obedience is ultimately measured by follow-through, not words. The second son, on the other hand, agrees to work but never fulfills his promise. His words, though polite, are meaningless without action.
This lesson applies directly to our faith and daily walk with God. It’s easy to say we follow Jesus Christ, but our actions reveal the truth. Do we live out God’s commands, or do we simply talk about them? Genuine obedience requires aligning our behavior with God’s will, even when it’s inconvenient or challenging. Faith without action, as James 2:17 reminds us, is dead. Obedience is the fruit of a faith-filled heart.
Repentance is Valued
The first son’s story is a powerful example of repentance. Though he initially refuses to obey, he eventually changes his mind and does what his father asked. This transformation highlights the importance of a repentant heart. In God’s eyes, repentance matters more than past disobedience.
The parable of the two sons reminds us of God’s grace and willingness to forgive. No matter how far we’ve strayed, God values a sincere change of heart. Tax collectors and sinners, often looked down upon in Jesus’ time, were entering the kingdom of God because they repented. Like the first son, they turned from disobedience to embrace God’s will.
This lesson encourages us to examine areas of our lives where we’ve resisted God. It reassures us that it’s never too late to respond to His call with genuine repentance.
Warning to the Self-Righteous
The second son represents those who outwardly appear obedient but fail to follow through. His agreement to work in the vineyard is empty because it’s not accompanied by action. Jesus uses this character to address the religious leaders, who prided themselves on their righteousness but often disobeyed God in their hearts.
The parable of the two sons challenges the self-righteous by exposing their hypocrisy. The chief priests and elders claimed to uphold God’s law, yet they rejected both John the Baptist’s message of repentance and Jesus’ authority. They were like the second son, offering verbal agreement to God’s will but failing to live it out.
This warning still applies to us today. It’s easy to appear faithful on the surface—attending church, saying the right things—but God sees beyond appearances. He desires hearts that are humble, repentant, and fully committed to Him. Empty promises and outward displays of faith are meaningless without true obedience.
By contrasting the two sons, Jesus reveals that God values sincerity and action over appearances. The parable calls us to examine whether our faith is genuine and reflected in how we live. True obedience requires both repentance and follow-through.
Application for Today
The parable of the two sons challenges us to reflect on our own lives. Are we like the first son, who initially resisted but later obeyed, or the second son, who said the right things but failed to act? It’s important to ask ourselves: How do my actions align with my words when serving God? Do I truly live out my faith, or do I fall into the trap of empty promises?
To live in genuine obedience, we must take intentional steps to align our actions with our faith. This begins with humility, recognizing where we’ve fallen short and turning to God in repentance. Repentance isn’t just about feeling sorry; it’s about realigning our lives with God’s will. Faithfulness is another key element. We show genuine obedience by consistently living out God’s commands, even when it’s inconvenient or difficult.
Practical steps can include serving others selflessly, dedicating time to prayer and Bible study, and responding to God’s call in everyday situations. It also means being honest with ourselves and others, avoiding the temptation to say what sounds good without following through. The parable of the two sons reminds us that God values action over words. By walking in humility, repentance, and faithfulness, we can become true doers of His will, aligning our lives with His kingdom work.
Believer’s Bible Commentary
Make Bible study a part of your daily life with the thorough yet easy-to-read commentary that turns complicated theology into practical understanding.
Final Thoughts: Parable of the Two Sons
The parable of the two sons teaches us that God values action over words. Obedience is demonstrated not by what we say but by what we do. Like the first son, we may stumble initially, but God honors repentance and a changed heart. This story reminds us that it’s never too late to turn back to God and align our actions with His will.
At the same time, the parable warns against empty promises and outward appearances of faith. God desires humility and genuine commitment. Let’s respond to His call with heartfelt obedience and repentance, living as faithful servants in His kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Parable of the Two Sons
1. What is the main lesson of the parable of the two sons? The main lesson is that God values obedience in action over empty words. True faith is shown through repentance and following His will.
2. How does the parable of the two sons apply to us today? It challenges us to examine whether our actions align with our words in serving God. Genuine obedience requires humility, repentance, and faithfulness.
3. Why did Jesus tell the parable of the two sons to the religious leaders? Jesus used the parable to confront their hypocrisy. Though they claimed to follow God, their actions didn’t reflect true obedience or faith.
