Matthew 21:28

26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”

27 So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

29 ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.

30 Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
KJV
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.
WEB
But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’
ASV
But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in the vineyard.
DARBY
But what think ye? A man had two children, and coming to the first he said, Child, go to-day, work in [my] vineyard.
BLB
But what do you⁺ think? A man had two sons, and having come to the first he said, ‘Son, go today, work in the vineyard.’
ÅB
«Men hva mener dere? En mann hadde to sønner, og han gikk til den ene og sa: ‘Sønn, gå og arbeid i vingården min i dag!’
OTB
Hva mener dere? En mann hadde to sønner. Han gikk til den første og sa: ‘Sønn, gå og arbeid i vingården i dag.’
B1930
Men hvad tykkes eder? En mann hadde to sønner, og han gikk til den ene og sa: Sønn, gå idag og arbeid i min vingård!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 20:1

    “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 15:58

    Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

    Read in context
  • Mark 13:34

    It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 10:15

    I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say.

    Read in context
  • Luke 15:11–32

    Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 21:33

    Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 17:25

    “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”

    Read in context
  • Luke 13:4

    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?

    Read in context