Matthew 21 28

Matthew 21:28 kjv

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

Matthew 21:28 nkjv

"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.'

Matthew 21:28 niv

"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'

Matthew 21:28 esv

"What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'

Matthew 21:28 nlt

"But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 28 Meaning

This verse initiates the Parable of the Two Sons, a poignant teaching from Jesus delivered in the context of His authority being questioned by the chief priests and elders in the temple. It presents a simple scenario: a father approaches his first son with a direct command to work in his vineyard. This opening question and instruction set the stage for Jesus to expose the difference between mere verbal assent and actual obedient action, leading His listeners, particularly the religious leaders, to unwittingly pronounce judgment upon themselves. It emphasizes the importance of immediate and active submission to the Father's will over empty professions of loyalty.

Matthew 21 28 Context

Matthew 21:28 marks the beginning of the Parable of the Two Sons, immediately following Jesus' encounter with the chief priests and elders in the temple who challenged His authority (21:23-27). This direct questioning of His power and origin prompts Jesus to respond with a counter-question (21:24) that silences His opponents, and then He follows with a series of parables (21:28-22:14) that not only assert His authority but also pronounce judgment upon these religious leaders. The parables in this chapter, including this one and the subsequent Parable of the Wicked Tenants and Parable of the Wedding Feast, collectively address the rejection of God's messengers and ultimately His Son, warning of the kingdom's transfer to those who will bear its fruits.

Historically and culturally, vineyards were common in ancient Israel, symbolizing God's people (Israel) or His kingdom, as seen in various Old Testament passages (e.g., Isa 5:1-7). The concept of sons working for their father was an expected familial duty. Jesus uses this relatable domestic scenario to present a profound spiritual truth. The direct rhetorical question, "What do you think?", is characteristic of Jesus' teaching method, inviting personal judgment and reflection, thereby forcing the listeners—especially those challenging Him—to make a decision and reveal their own spiritual posture. The parable implicitly serves as a polemic against the hypocrisy of those religious leaders who professed devotion but lacked true obedience to God's immediate will, particularly as revealed through Jesus.

Matthew 21 28 Word analysis

• What (Τί - Ti): This interrogative pronoun introduces an open-ended question, not demanding a single right answer but compelling listeners to engage intellectually and make a personal judgment. It shifts the burden of evaluation from Jesus to His interrogators, making them judge themselves by the parable's outcome.
• do you think? (δοκεῖ - dokei): Literally "it seems" or "is it thought." It's a personal challenge to their perception and wisdom, aimed directly at the religious leaders who prided themselves on their discernment. Jesus compels them to offer an opinion, laying a trap for their self-righteousness.
• A man (ἄνθρωπος - anthrōpos): A general term for a human being. In parables, "a man" often represents God or someone acting on God's behalf, signifying a universal truth that applies beyond specific individuals. It evokes a relatable common scenario.
• had two sons (εἶχεν δύο τέκνα - eichen dyo tekna): "He had two children." This simple detail sets up a deliberate contrast that will be central to the parable's teaching. The relationship of father to children (téknon, 'offspring' or 'child') implies both authority and a natural bond of expectation and duty.
• and he came to the first (καὶ προσελθὼν τῷ πρώτῳ - kai proselthōn tō prōtō): "And having come to the first one." This emphasizes a direct, personal approach. The father initiated the encounter, implying a specific, personal call to service.
• and said (εἶπεν - eipen): A simple verb, "he said," indicating a clear and unambiguous instruction, leaving no room for misunderstanding about the command given.
• 'Son,' (Τέκνον - Teknon): A direct address, carrying both affection and the authority of a father. It underscores the filial duty and the personal nature of the command given by the 'man' representing God.
• 'go (ὕπαγε - hupage): An imperative verb, commanding immediate movement and action. It conveys urgency and the direct expectation of obedience. It is not an invitation but an instruction.
• work today (ἐργάζου σήμερον - ergazou sēmeron): Ergazou is an imperative verb meaning "to work," or "to be working," suggesting diligent and continuous labor. Sēmeron, "today" or "this day," stresses the immediacy and the opportune timing for the work. There is no tomorrow for this command; the work is to begin without delay. It points to a divine demand for immediate engagement.
• in the vineyard.' (ἐν τῷ ἀμπελῶνι - en tō ampelōni): This specifies the location of the required labor. The "vineyard" (from ampelōn, meaning 'vine-yard' or 'plantation of vines') is a rich biblical symbol for God's chosen people, His kingdom, or the specific sphere of service He appoints for His followers. It points to God's sovereign work and call to His people to participate in it.

Words-group Analysis

• "What do you think?": This phrase directly engages the listener's intellectual and moral faculty, making them a participant in the unfolding lesson. It compels personal evaluation and implicit self-judgment, crucial for exposing the religious leaders' hypocrisy.
• "A man had two sons": Establishes the core dynamic of the parable: two different responses to a parental command. This sets up the central comparison of obedience versus disobedience.
• "Son, go work today in the vineyard": This clear, imperative command embodies the direct call of God. "Go work" signifies active duty, "today" emphasizes immediacy and urgency, and "in the vineyard" designates the sphere of God's will and purpose for His people. It is a precise instruction that requires concrete action.

Matthew 21 28 Bonus section

• This verse and the parable it introduces serve as Jesus' parabolic "trial" for the religious leaders, where their own words condemn their actions (or lack thereof).
• The parable's power lies in its immediate applicability to the listeners. Jesus does not abstract; He presents a situation to which they must immediately respond, setting them up for their own condemnation by their answer regarding the sons' actions.
• The phrase "work today" can imply that God's work is ongoing, pressing, and not to be delayed until a "more convenient season." This aligns with broader biblical teachings on the urgency of the Kingdom's arrival and the necessity of immediate repentance and labor (cf. John 9:4).
• The father's direct and personal approach to each son ("he came to the first") highlights the individual nature of God's call to service. It is a direct and specific instruction for each person.

Matthew 21 28 Commentary

Matthew 21:28 initiates a pointed parable directly addressing the authenticity of faith through action. Jesus, having just faced a challenge to His authority, subtly shifts the judgment onto His questioners by making them evaluate a familiar domestic scenario. The "man" (representing God) issuing the command to "go work today in the vineyard" signifies God's clear, urgent, and personal call to every individual to engage in the active work of His kingdom. The immediacy of "today" underscores that the opportunity and expectation for service are current and pressing, allowing for no procrastination. The essence of this verse lies in the forthright and simple nature of the command, setting the stage to illustrate that genuine spiritual response is ultimately defined not by initial verbal affirmation, but by subsequent diligent obedience. It is a subtle but powerful indictment against those who claim faith or privilege but fail to do the will of God. This challenges every hearer to consider whether their professed faith translates into tangible obedience to God's specific call on their lives.