The parable of the two sons

St Matthew Chapter XXI : Verses 28-32

Contents

• Matt. xxi. 28-32.  Douay-Rheims text & Latin text (Vulgate).
• Notes on the text.
• Additional Notes: The arrival of the deputation from the Sanhedrin. On the signs of a true Prophet.

Matt. xxi. 28-32

28 But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and coming to the first, he said: Son, go work today in my vineyard.

Quid autem vobis videtur? Homo quidam habebat duos filios, et accedens ad primum, dixit : Fili, vade hodie, operare in vinea mea.

29 And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went.

Ille autem respondens, ait : Nolo. Postea autem, pœnitentia motus, abiit.

30 And coming to the other, he said in like manner. And he answering, said: I go, Sir; and he went not.

Accedens autem ad alterum, dixit similiter. At ille respondens, ait : Eo, domine, et non ivit :

31 Which of the two did the father's will? They say to him: The first. Jesus saith to them: Amen I say to you, that the publicans and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you.

quis ex duobus fecit voluntatem patris? Dicunt ei : Primus. Dicit illis Jesus : Amen dico vobis, quia publicani et meretrices praecedent vos in regnum Dei.

32 For John came to you in the way of justice, and you did not believe him. But the publicans and the harlots believed him: but you, seeing it, did not even afterwards repent, that you might believe him.

Venit enim ad vos Joannes in via justitiæ, et non credidistis ei : publicani autem et meretrices crediderunt ei : vos autem videntes nec pœnitentiam habuistis postea, ut crederetis ei.

Notes

    28. what think you ? This question connects what follows with the preceding incident, and brings out the primary application of the parable.

        Explanation of the Parable of the Two Sons.

(1) Primary Application.

    1. A certain man. God.

    2. The Vineyard. The Messianic kingdom.

    3. The Two Sons. Two classes of Jews.

    (a) The first. Notorious sinners, who repented at the preaching of John the Baptist.

    (b) The second.The Pharisees, who professed to obey God, but rejected the teaching of the Baptist.

 (2) Secondary Application.

1 and 2 as above.

    3. The Two Sons. The Gentiles and the Jews.

    (a) The first. The Gentiles, who were at first rebellious, but afterwards entered the one fold.

    (b) The second. The Jews, who served God exteriorly, but interiorly disobeyed His laws.

    work to-day in my vineyard. This parable somewhat resembles that of the Labourers in the Vineyard, but in the former there is no question of a refusal to obey, nor are the labourers the “ sons ’’ of the husbandman.

    29. I will not. The bold, defiant answer of the first son represents the open rebellion of the lawless, of whom the publicans and harlots were the pronounced types. Until they were converted by the preaching of the Baptist, they had openly refused to serve God.

    being moved with repentance, he went. Notorious sinners may become great saints, e.g. St Mary Magdalene.

    30. I go, Sir. The respectful tone contrasts with the curt refusal of the first, but it was only lip service, to which the will gave no assent.

OCR not available. Text taken from source document.

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.