New International Version“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
New Living TranslationThen the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.
English Standard VersionAnd he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.
Berean Standard BibleThen the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go.
Berean Literal BibleAnd having come to the second, he said likewise. And answering he said, 'I will sir,' and he did not go.
King James BibleAnd he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
New King James VersionThen he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.
New American Standard BibleAnd the man came to his second son and said the same thing; and he replied, ‘I will, sir’; and yet he did not go.
NASB 1995“The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, ‘I will, sir’ but he did not go.
NASB 1977 “And he came to the second and said the same thing. But he answered and said, ‘I will not’; yet he afterward regretted it and went.
Legacy Standard Bible And the man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered and said, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go.
Amplified BibleThen the man came to the second son and said the same thing; and he replied, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go.
Christian Standard BibleThen the man went to the other and said the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he answered, but he didn’t go.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen the man went to the other and said the same thing. “’I will, sir,’ he answered. But he didn’t go.
American Standard VersionAnd he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
Contemporary English VersionThe man then told his younger son to go work in the vineyard. The boy said he would, but he didn't go.
English Revised VersionAnd he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"The father went to the other son and told him the same thing. He replied, 'I will, sir,' but he didn't go.
Good News TranslationThen the father went to the other son and said the same thing. 'Yes, sir,' he answered, but he did not go.
International Standard VersionThen the father went to the other son and told him the same thing. He replied, 'I will, sir,' but he didn't go.
NET BibleThe father went to the other son and said the same thing. This boy answered, 'I will, sir,' but did not go.
New Heart English BibleAnd he came to the other, and said the same thing. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
Weymouth New TestamentHe came to the second and spoke in the same manner. His answer was, "'I will go, Sir.' "But he did not go. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go.
World English BibleHe came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd having come to the second, he said in the same manner, and he answering said, I [go], lord, and did not go;
Berean Literal BibleAnd having come to the second, he said likewise. And answering he said, 'I will sir,' and he did not go.
Young's Literal Translation And having come to the second, he said in the same manner, and he answering said, I go, sir, and went not;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd having come to the second, he said likewise. And he, having answered, said, I, Lord: and he departed not. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd coming to the other, he said in like manner. And he answering, said: I go, Sir; and he went not.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd approaching the other, he spoke similarly. And answering, he said, ‘I am going, lord.’ And he did not go.
New American BibleThe man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.
New Revised Standard VersionThe father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he came to the other one and said to him likewise. And he answered and said, Here am I, my Lord, and yet he did not go.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“Then he came to the other and said to him likewise, but he answered and said, 'I will, my lord', and he did not go.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd he came to the other, and spoke to him in like manner. And he answered and said, I go, sir; and went not.
Godbey New Testament Audio Bible
Context The Parable of the Two Sons… 29‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. 30Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. 31Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.…
Cross References Luke 15:11-32Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. / The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. / After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. ...
Ezekiel 18:30-32Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!
James 1:22-25Be 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. ...
Romans 2:4-5Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? / But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
Isaiah 1:16-20Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! / Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” / “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. ...
Luke 7:29-30All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John. / But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.
Jeremiah 3:12-14Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever. / Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD. / “Return, O faithless children,” declares the LORD, “for I am your master, and I will take you—one from a city and two from a family—and bring you to Zion.
Matthew 7:21-23Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
John 5:39-40You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, / yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.
Ezekiel 33:11Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
Luke 13:3-5No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish. / Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam collapsed on them: Do you think that they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem? / No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Acts 26:19-20So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. / First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.
Proverbs 1:23-33If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. / Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, / because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, ...
2 Corinthians 7:10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Hebrews 3:7-15Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. ...
Matthew 23:3
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. Ezekiel 33:31
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. Romans 2:17-25
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, … Jump to Previous Likewise Manner Second SirJump to Next Likewise Manner Second SirMatthew 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.Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing.In this parable, the "man" represents God the Father, who approaches His children with a call to work in His vineyard, symbolizing His kingdom. The "second son" represents those who outwardly profess obedience to God but fail to follow through with action. This reflects the religious leaders of Jesus' time, who claimed to uphold God's law but often neglected its true spirit. The repetition of the father's request emphasizes God's consistent and patient call to all His children, regardless of their initial response. ‘I will, sir,’ he said.
The second son's response is respectful and appears obedient, addressing his father as "sir," which indicates a recognition of authority. This mirrors the behavior of those who honor God with their lips but whose hearts are far from Him, as seen in Isaiah 29:13. The son’s verbal commitment contrasts with his subsequent actions, highlighting the theme of hypocrisy and the importance of genuine obedience over mere words. But he did not go.
This phrase underscores the central message of the parable: the discrepancy between words and actions. The second son's failure to act on his promise serves as a warning against empty professions of faith. James 2:17 reinforces this idea, stating that faith without works is dead. The parable challenges believers to examine their own lives for consistency between their declarations of faith and their deeds. It also serves as a call to repentance and true obedience, aligning one's actions with God's will. Persons / Places / Events 1. The FatherRepresents God, who calls His children to work in His vineyard, symbolizing His kingdom. 2. The Second SonRepresents those who verbally commit to God's will but fail to follow through with action. 3. The VineyardSymbolizes the kingdom of God and the work He calls His followers to do. 4. The First Son (from the previous verse)Represents those who initially resist God's call but ultimately obey. 5. Jesus' AudiencePrimarily the chief priests and elders of the people, whom Jesus addresses in this parable to illustrate their failure to act on their professed beliefs. Teaching Points The Importance of Action Over WordsTrue obedience to God is demonstrated through actions, not just verbal commitments. Self-ExaminationBelievers should regularly assess whether their actions align with their professed faith and commitments to God. Repentance and ChangeLike the first son, there is always an opportunity to repent and align actions with God's will, even after initial resistance. Authentic FaithAuthentic faith is characterized by a willingness to follow through on commitments to God, reflecting a heart transformed by His grace. Accountability in CommunityEncourage accountability within the Christian community to support one another in living out commitments to God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 21:30?
2. How does Matthew 21:30 challenge our understanding of obedience to God?
3. What does the second son's response teach about true repentance and action?
4. How can we apply the lesson of Matthew 21:30 in daily decision-making?
5. Compare the sons' actions to James 1:22 about being doers of the word.
6. In what ways can we ensure our actions align with our commitments to God?
7. What is the significance of the second son's change of mind in Matthew 21:30?
8. How does Matthew 21:30 challenge the concept of obedience in faith?
9. Why does Jesus use the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:30?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 21?
11. What are the predictions for the biblical end times?
12. Which son truly obeyed his father's will?
13. Why do the crowds in Matthew 21:9 publicly proclaim Jesus as the 'Son of David' if secular records are silent about this event?
14. What is the Olivet Discourse about?What Does Matthew 21:30 Mean Then the man went to the second son• Jesus has just spoken of a first son who refused, then repented (v. 29). Now attention shifts. • The “man” pictures the Father, patiently approaching the next child—mirroring how God repeatedly calls His people (Isaiah 65:2; 2 Peter 3:9). • In parable context, this second son stands for Israel’s religious leaders who have long enjoyed covenant privilege yet still need to respond (Romans 2:17-24).
and told him the same thing• The father issues an identical command, showing that God’s standard never changes from person to person (Acts 17:30-31). • Equal opportunity also underscores equal accountability (Romans 2:11). • Like the first son, this second son is asked to “Go and work in the vineyard today” (v. 28)—an invitation to active obedience, not mere sentiment (Ephesians 2:10).
‘I will, sir,’ he said• The quick, respectful reply sounds exemplary: “Yes, sir!” • Words without deeds, however, mean little (Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter”). • Many publicly affirm allegiance yet resist when obedience costs something (Proverbs 20:6; Luke 6:46). • For the original audience, the polite response mirrored the outward piety of scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:27-28).
But he did not go• The pivot exposes hypocrisy—profession without performance (James 1:22; 2:17). • Disobedience cancels the promise; the vineyard remains untilled. • 1 John 2:4 warns, “Whoever says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not keep His commandments is a liar.” • Jesus’ larger point: tax collectors and prostitutes, like the first son, are entering the kingdom ahead of the religious elite because genuine repentance trumps hollow courtesy (Matthew 21:31-32).
summaryMatthew 21:30 contrasts lip service with lived obedience. The second son’s courteous “I will” masks a heart unwilling to act, illustrating how outward religion can hide inward rebellion. God’s call is clear and consistent; true repentance is proven by doing, not merely saying. (30) I go, sir.--The tone of outward respect, as contrasted with the rude refusal of the elder son, is eminently characteristic as representing the surface religion of the Pharisees. Verse 30. - The second. He typifies the Pharisees, the scrupulous observers of outward form, while neglectful of the weightier matters - judgment, mercy, and faith ( Matthew 23:23). I go, sir, Ἐγὼ κύριε: Eo, domine. This son is outwardly respectful and dutiful; his answer is in marked contrast to the rough "I will not" of his brother. He professes zeal for the Law, and ready obedience. And went not. Such men did no real work for God, honouring him with their lips and outward observances, while their heart was far from him, and their morality was unprincipled and impure.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Thenδὲ (de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.[the man] wentΠροσελθὼν (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 theτῷ (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.second [son]δευτέρῳ (deuterō)Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1208: Second; with the article: in the second place, for the second time. As the compare of duo; second.[and] told [him]εἶπεν (eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.the same thing.ὡσαύτως (hōsautōs)Adverb
Strong's 5615: In like manner, likewise, just so. From hos and an adverb from autos; as thus, i.e. In the same way.‘I [will],Ἐγώ (Egō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.sir,’κύριε (kyrie)Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.he said.ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis)Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.Butκαὶ (kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. he did not go.ἀπῆλθεν (apēlthen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 21:30 He came to the second and said (Matt. Mat Mt) |
