Matthew 21:28-32, The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “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.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Comments

For Jesus, performance counted, not promise. God accepted the unlikely tax collectors and prostitutes while excluding the religious elites, who rejected the saving actions of God. This parable closely resembles the longer and more nuanced Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Prayer

Eternal God, the light of the minds that know thee, the joy of the hearts that love thee, the strength of the wills that serve thee; grant us so to know thee that we may truly love thee, so to love thee that we may freely serve thee, to the glory of thy holy name.

(Gelasian Sacramentary, 5th century)