Matthew 21:28 - Parable

Jesus said, "But what do you think of this? A man with two sons told the older boy, 'Son, go out and work on the farm today' 'I won't,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father told the youngest, 'You go!' and he said, 'Yes, sir, I will' But he didn't. Which of the two was obeying his father?" And the chief priests replied "The first, of course."

Then Jesus explained his meaning: "Surely evil men and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom before you do. For John the Baptist told you to repent and turn to God, and you wouldn't, while every evil men and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to repent, and so you couldn't believe."

I would have guess the first son because he actually did go. They were both wrong but the 2nd lied or changed his mind.

So, I'm confused. Apparently, I don't understand this parable. Can you help me with this? Thanks.

As said, the first Son said NO! then changed his mind and went, repented a change of mind to believe God over n to at first believing God
Then asked the second Son, he said he would and did not, I bet probably hid to not get caught her is not doing as asked to do.
As we have seen. many a clergy get exposed to their self righteousness attitudes
Do the will of, believe God in risen Son Jesus for you and see new, get surprised what happens through you once you do believe God in risen Son for you, all sin taken away as far as the east is from the west Psalm 103:12
Luke 18:9-14 who got justified?

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Two things that Jesus said about Satan. He was Liar and a Murderer from the beginning

Jesus was contrasting religious hypocrites who pretend to serve God, but don't know him and in works deny him, with honest folk not blinded by self-righteousness, who repent when their hearts convict them and do God's will

Yes I think the lesson of the parable is actions tell the truth.

air im grumpy and say nah I’m not gonna gos do it , but the. Repent and go do it I’ve done the Will of the one who told me to do it

But if he tells me to and I say “ sure thing I’ll go do it “ but I don’t , then I haven’t done his Will .

saying I’ll do something is not the same as doing it even if my attitude was wrong to begin with if I repent and do it I’ve done it . If I say I will but don’t , I haven’t

Actions soeak the truest things and words can be true or untrue .

Your initial perception is correct. Though you are correct a little about the attitude of the first son for he did initially refuse to obey and in his words refused, but he is the one that ultimately actually did turn and also do what his Father commanded The second son spoke well and nice, maybe even he intended well or ill at that, but ultimately he is the one that did not go and do what the Father commanded.

So it is the prostitutes and the publicans of Jesus time were more likely to enter the Kingdom of God before the Pharisees and the Sadduccees because besides just repenting of their evil and being healed by Jesus, and believing he is the Son of God, they also did then do the commands of the Father. The Pharisees and Sadduccees not only did they do great evil due to their false heresies and religion, but furthermore it made in them the dynamic of unbelief which blinded them from believing on Jesus that he is the Son of God, despite even mindblowingly being in his presence at his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the foal in fulfilment of the prophecy of kingship of the Messiah.

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I am wondering if this parable is about Israel in two different time periods-one past and one future.

The one who said he would be the one past. Israel thought they were following God but when the Messiah came they wouldn't plow the field and do what was expected of Israel.

The one who said he wouldn't is the story of the future when Israel will bring many to the Lord and the world when they have a change of mind.

I think that's taking it beyond what Jesus meant, ie that the ones who said they wouldn't, but then repented were the tax collectors and whores of that time. However, that principle does apply universally throughout time

I am thinking of the 144,000 from the 12 tribes

Well this is going off in another direction, but I don't think natural Israel has anything to do with the 144,000. They are with Christ on Mt Zion, which is the throne of God from where he rules. I think the 12 tribes of Israel is figurative language for the overcomers who will rule all nations with an iron rod.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

I believe I understand now.

When Jesus said "Surely evil men and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom before you do (so, I assumed they answered the wrong son). For John the Baptist told you to repent and turn to God, and you wouldn't, while every evil men and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to repent, and so you couldn't believe."

I thought Jesus was mad that they chose the wrong answer. But no, they chose the right answer. They knew but were behaving like the second son. That's what Jesus was talking about.

So glad I got this straightened out.

Thanks so much for your help!