Matthew 21:28 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus tells a parable of a father who asks his first son to go work in the vineyard.
What Does Matthew 21:28 Mean?
Jesus begins a parable, inviting His hearers to consider it: "What think ye?" A man with two sons asks the first to go work that day in his vineyard. The vineyard was a familiar image for the people of God and the labor He calls them to.
By posing the story as a question, Jesus draws His listeners into rendering a judgment that will ultimately fall on themselves. The father's call to work pictures God's invitation to every person to take up their place in His purposes. The simple request sets the stage for a searching lesson about the difference between mere words and true obedience.
Matthew 21:28 in the Original Language
ampelon (ἀμπελών), 'vineyard' -- a common image for God's people and His work among them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 21:28
What does Matthew 21:28 mean?
Jesus tells a parable of a father who asks his first son to go work in the vineyard.