Parable of the Two Sons

For another parable told by Jesus about two sons, see Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Jesus and John the Baptist (15th century).

The Parable of the Two Sons is a parable told by Jesus in the New Testament, found in Matthew (Matthew 21:28–32). It contrasts the tax collectors and prostitutes who accepted the message taught by John the Baptist with the "religious" people who did not.

Narrative

The parable is as follows:

"But what think ye? A certain man had two sons. He came to the first, and said, 'Son, go to work in my vineyard today.' He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he repented, and went. He came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir!' but went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father?"

"The first."

Jesus said to them, "Verily I say unto you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into the Kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn't believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn't even repent afterward, that you might believe him."

Interpretation

In this parable, Jesus reproved those who considered themselves virtuous; whereas those they considered sinners, such as the tax collectors and prostitutes, were accepting the message of John the Baptist and repenting. The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican has a similar theme.