The Second Son Not Going - Matthew 21:30

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus asked the chief priests and the elders of Jerusalem, “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. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus declared the second son said, “I go, sir: and went not” where we read:

And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

The verse reads, “And he came to the second, and said likewise.” Matthew began with the words, “and he came” or “the father of the vineyard arose and appeared” “to the second” which means “to the second son”, “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” “likewise” which means “in a similar manner and fashion as the father told the first son”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the father came to his second son and requested that he go into his vineyard to work.

The verse continues, “And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.” Matthew added the words, “and he answered” which means “and the second son began to speak and respond” “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “I go” or “I will depart and leave to the vineyard”, “sir” or “one who has the power of deciding, master and lord”: “and went not” or “but did not actually go to the vineyard to work”. Matthew wrote how the second son gave his affirmation with respect to his father's request to go into his vineyard, but he did not keep his word and go to the field.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus continue His story about the father who sent his sons into his vineyard to work. This second son respectfully gave his assent to his father, however, he did not keep his word. God desires a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and mental and verbal compliance are insufficient. There must be a consistency between what a person “says” and what they “do”. This second son gave his father lip service, but did not go to His vineyard to work. Those who come to God must not only say the words of repentance, but also follow Him in “word and in deed”. (See 1 John 3:18)

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus asks which of the sons “did the will of his father”?, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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