The King Enters
But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ Matthew 21:28 · Berean Standard Bible
Jesus tells another story: 'A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go work in the vineyard today.'
After the standoff about authority, Jesus tells a story that will make the leaders judge themselves.
Jesus begins a parable aimed directly at the people questioning Him.
The story is simple, but the trap is elegant. The leaders are about to condemn themselves with their own answer.
Jesus begins the Parable of the Two Sons, asking the leaders to judge which son did the father's will — a parable that traps them into condemning themselves.
This is the first of three parables (Two Sons, Wicked Tenants, Wedding Banquet) aimed directly at the religious leaders' rejection of Jesus.
Jesus tells a parable that forces the leaders to render a judgment against themselves.
Jesus shifts from direct debate to parable, creating a narrative trap that the leaders will walk into.
26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
27So they answered, “We do not know.”
28But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.
30Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing.
Read all of Matthew 21 — Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds shout hosanna. Within hours, he's overturning tables in the temple.
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