Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “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.’ New Living Translation “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.’ English Standard Version “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.’ Berean Standard Bible 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.’ Berean Literal Bible But what do you⁺ think? A man had two sons, and having come to the first he said, ‘Son, go today, work in the vineyard.’ King James Bible 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. New King James Version “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.’ New American Standard Bible “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ NASB 1995 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ NASB 1977 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ Legacy Standard Bible “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ Amplified Bible “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ Berean Annotated Bible 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. Christian Standard Bible “What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘My son, go work in the vineyard today.’ Holman Christian Standard Bible “But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, My son, go, work in the vineyard today.’ American Standard Version But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in the vineyard. Contemporary English Version Jesus said: I will tell you a story about a man who had two sons. Then you can tell me what you think. The father went to the older son and said, "Go work in the vineyard today!" English Revised Version But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in the vineyard. GOD'S WORD® Translation "What do you think about this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go to work in the vineyard today.' Good News Translation "Now, what do you think? There was once a man who had two sons. He went to the older one and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' International Standard Version "But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' NET Bible "What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' New Heart English Bible But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, 'Son, go work today in the vineyard.' Webster's Bible Translation 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. Weymouth New Testament "But give me your judgement. There was a man who had two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "'My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.' Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut 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 my vineyard.’ World English Bible 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.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd what do you think? A man had two children, and having come to the first, he said, Child, go, today be working in my vineyard. Berean Literal Bible But what do you⁺ think? A man had two sons, and having come to the first he said, ‘Son, go today, work in the vineyard.’ Young's Literal Translation 'And what think ye? A man had two children, and having come to the first, he said, Child, go, to-day be working in my vineyard.' Smith's Literal Translation But what seems to you A man had two children; and having come to the first, he said, Child, retire today, work in my vineyard. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut what think you? A certain man had two sons; and coming to the first, he said: Son, go work to day in my vineyard. Catholic Public Domain Version But how does it seem to you? A certain man had two sons. And approaching the first, he said: ‘Son, go out today to work in my vineyard.’ New American Bible “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ New Revised Standard Version “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhat do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first one and said to him, My son, go and work today in the vineyard. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “But how does it seem to you? A certain man had two sons and he called the first and said to him, 'My son, go work today in the vineyard.'” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut what think you? A man had two sons; and he went to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament But what think ye? A man had two sons; and coming to the first he said, Son, go work to-day in my vineyard. Mace New Testament But what do you think of this? a man had two sons, and coming to the first, he said, son, go, work to-day in my vineyard. Weymouth New Testament "But give me your judgement. There was a man who had two sons. He came to the elder of them, and said, "'My son, go and work in the vineyard to-day.' Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Parable of the Two Sons27So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 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.… Cross References But what do you think? Matthew 18:12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? Matthew 17:25 “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?” Luke 10:36 Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” There was a man who had two sons. Luke 15:11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 1 Samuel 8:1-3 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. / The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. / But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice. Genesis 25:21-26 Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. / But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So Rebekah went to inquire of the LORD, / and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” … He went to the first one and said, Luke 15:28-32 The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. / But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. / But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ … Deuteronomy 21:15-17 If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him. Exodus 13:12-13 you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. / You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. And every firstborn of your sons you must redeem. ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ Matthew 20:4 ‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you whatever is right.’ Mark 12:1-9 Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. / But they seized the servant, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. … Isaiah 5:1-7 I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. … James 1:22-25 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. … Ezekiel 18:21-24 But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. / Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live? … Romans 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous. Luke 6:46 Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? Treasury of Scripture But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. what. Matthew 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Matthew 22:17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? Luke 13:4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? A certain. Luke 15:11-32 And he said, A certain man had two sons: … Son. Matthew 20:5-7 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise… Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Jump to Previous Child Children Elder First Judgement Seem Think Today To-Day Vineyard Work WorkingJump to Next Child Children Elder First Judgement Seem Think Today To-Day Vineyard Work WorkingMatthew 21 1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey12. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple; 17. curses the fig tree; 23. puts to silence the priests and elders, 28. and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons, 33. and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them. But what do you think? This phrase introduces a parable, a common teaching method used by Jesus. It invites the listener to engage and reflect on the story's meaning. Parables were a way to convey deep spiritual truths through simple, relatable stories. This question challenges the audience to consider their own actions and beliefs. There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ Persons / Places / Events 1. The Man (Father)Represents God, who calls His children to work in His vineyard, symbolizing His kingdom and the work He has prepared for them. 2. The Two Sons Symbolize two types of responses to God's call. The first son initially refuses but later obeys, while the second son agrees to go but does not follow through. 3. The Vineyard Represents the kingdom of God and the work that believers are called to do. It is a place of labor and fruitfulness, reflecting the mission field of the world. 4. The Call to Work The father's request to his sons to work in the vineyard signifies God's call to His people to engage in His work and bear fruit. 5. The Day of Work Implies urgency and the present opportunity to serve God, emphasizing the importance of responding to God's call without delay. Teaching Points Obedience Over Lip ServiceTrue obedience to God is demonstrated through actions, not just words. The first son's change of heart shows the value of repentance and action. The Urgency of God's Call The call to work "today" in the vineyard highlights the immediacy and importance of responding to God's call without procrastination. Repentance and Transformation The first son's change of mind illustrates the power of repentance and the possibility of transformation, encouraging believers to align their actions with God's will. God's Patience and Grace The father's willingness to engage both sons reflects God's patience and grace, offering opportunities for repentance and obedience. Fruitfulness in God's Kingdom Working in the vineyard symbolizes the call to be fruitful in God's kingdom, reminding believers of their role in advancing God's purposes on earth. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 21:28?2. How does Matthew 21:28 challenge us to align actions with our words? 3. What does the father's request reveal about obedience in Matthew 21:28? 4. How does Matthew 21:28 connect to James 1:22 about being doers? 5. In what ways can we practice immediate obedience to God's commands today? 6. How can Matthew 21:28 inspire repentance and change in our daily lives? 7. What is the significance of the parable in Matthew 21:28 for Christian obedience? 8. How does Matthew 21:28 challenge traditional views on repentance and action? 9. What historical context influences the interpretation of Matthew 21:28? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 21? 11. Why didn't Jesus return as He promised His disciples? 12. What are the core beliefs of the Belgic Confession? 13. Did Jesus atone for humanity's sins? 14. What occurred on Holy Tuesday before Easter? What Does Matthew 21:28 Mean But what do you think?Jesus begins by pulling His listeners—the chief priests and elders—into active reflection. • This question invites self-examination much like Matthew 18:12, where He asks, “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep…,” insisting that truth must be personally processed, not merely observed. • By opening with a direct challenge, Jesus underscores that accountability before God is individual (2 Corinthians 13:5) and immediate (James 1:22). There was a man who had two sons. A familiar household scene becomes the stage for spiritual truth. • As in Luke 15:11, “A man had two sons,” paired children often portray contrast: obedience versus rebellion (Genesis 4:1-5). • The “man” represents God the Father, emphasizing His rightful authority over His household (Hebrews 12:9). • Two sons highlight that all who hear God’s call—religious leaders and common people alike—must choose how to respond (Romans 2:11). He went to the first one The father takes the initiative, illustrating God’s pursuit of us. • Luke 19:10 reminds us, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” • The personal approach echoes Revelation 3:20, where the Lord stands at the door and knocks, seeking fellowship. • God’s call is not a vague proclamation but a personal invitation to each heart (Isaiah 65:1). and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ The command is clear, the timing urgent, and the location purposeful. • “Son” communicates relationship; we are called to serve as children, not slaves (Galatians 4:7). • “Go and work” links privilege to responsibility. Faith proves itself through action (James 2:17). • “Today” signals that obedience cannot be deferred (Hebrews 3:15: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts”). • “In the vineyard” recalls Matthew 20:1-7, where laborers are hired for the Master’s vineyard—God’s kingdom field where fruit is expected (John 15:8). summary Matthew 21:28 opens a parable that contrasts mere profession with genuine obedience. By framing the story with a probing question, presenting a father with two sons, highlighting the father’s personal approach, and issuing an urgent call to work, Jesus shows that God seeks immediate, tangible response from His children. True faith is measured not by words alone but by timely, willing labor in the Father’s vineyard. (28) But what think ye?--The question serves to connect the parable with the foregoing incident, and so gives point to its special primary application. In many MSS. the answers of the two sons are inverted, and it is accordingly the "second," and not the first, who is said, in Matthew 21:31, to have done the will of his Father.Go work to day in my vineyard.--The parable rests on the same imagery as that of the Labourers, with some special variations. Both of those who are called to work are "sons," and not hired labourers--i.e., there is a recognition of both Pharisees and publicans, the outwardly religious and the conspicuously irreligious, as being alike, in a sense, children of God. Verses 28-32. - The parable of the two sons. (Peculiar to St. Matthew.) Verse 28. - But what think ye? A formula connecting what follows with what has preceded, and making the hearers themselves the judges. By this and the succeeding parables, Jesus shows his interlocutors their true guilty position and the punishment that awaited them. He himself explains the present parable in reference to his hearers, though, of course, it has, and is meant to have, a much wider application. A certain man (ἄνθρωπος, a man) had two sons. The man represents God; the two sons symbolize two classes of Jews - the Pharisees, with their followers and imitators; and the lawless and sinful, who made no pretence of religion. The former are those who profess to keep the Law strictly, to the very letter, though they care nothing for its spirit, and virtually divorce religion from morality The latter are careless and profane persons, whom the Lord calls "publicans and harlots" (ver. 31). The first. Westcott and Hort, relying on no very weighty authority, reverse the order of the sons' answers, altering ver. 31 in agreement with this arrangement. Christ's reply countenances the received text, setting the repentant before the professing son. It is a matter of small importance (see Tischendorf, in loc.). "The first son "here typifies the evil and immoral among the Jewish people. Go, work today. Two emphatic imperatives. Immediate obedience is required. "Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Psalm 95:7, 8). God called his sons to serve in his vineyard - the Church. He called them by the prophets, and more especially by John the Baptist, to turn from evil ways, and to do works meet for repentance (Matthew 3:8). Christ gives two examples, showing how this call was received.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek “Butδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. what Τί (Ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. [do] you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. think? δοκεῖ (dokei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem. [There was] a man ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. who had εἶχεν (eichen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. two δύο (dyo) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'. sons. τέκνα (tekna) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child. He went προσελθὼν (proselthōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4334: From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to. to the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. first πρώτῳ (prōtō) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost. [and] said, εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. ‘Son, Τέκνον (Teknon) Noun - Vocative Neuter Singular Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child. go ὕπαγε (hypage) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 5217: To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively. [and] work ἐργάζου (ergazou) Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 2038: To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. today σήμερον (sēmeron) Adverb Strong's 4594: Today, now. Neuter of a presumed compound of the article ho and hemera; on the day; generally, now. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. vineyard.’ ἀμπελῶνι (ampelōni) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 290: A vineyard. From ampelos; a vineyard. Links Matthew 21:28 NIVMatthew 21:28 NLT Matthew 21:28 ESV Matthew 21:28 NASB Matthew 21:28 KJV Matthew 21:28 BibleApps.com Matthew 21:28 Biblia Paralela Matthew 21:28 Chinese Bible Matthew 21:28 French Bible Matthew 21:28 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 21:28 But what do you think? A man (Matt. Mat Mt) |
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