📖 Biblical Definition
Christ's parable in Matthew 21:28-32, told to the chief priests and elders. A man with two sons told the first to work in the vineyard; he answered I will not but afterward repented and went. The second said I go, sir but did not go. Christ asked which did the father's will; they answered: the first. Christ closed: the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
TWO SONS, n.
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A scriptural parable of Christ; the two sons.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 21:29 — "He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went."
Matthew 21:30 — "He answered and said, I go, sir: and went not."
Matthew 21:31 — "Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first."
Matthew 21:32 — "The publicans and the harlots believed him."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity prizes the right answer; Christ prized actual obedience.
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Christ's parable cuts at the heart of religious presumption. The second son said yes and did not go; he had the right vocabulary but no obedience. The first son said no, repented, and went; his words were wrong but his life was right. Christ said the first son did the father's will.
Modern Christianity often prizes the right answer over actual obedience. We affirm the creeds, recite the doctrines, and say I go, sir — while not going. The publicans and harlots who believed John's preaching went into the kingdom ahead of the religious leaders who said yes and stayed home. Repent and go; the right answer is the working answer.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
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G5043 — teknon — son, child
G3538 — metanoeo — to repent
Usage
"Modern Christianity prizes the right answer; Christ prized actual obedience."
"Right vocabulary without obedience does not the Father's will."
"Repent and go; the right answer is the working answer."