Matthew 21:30

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he came {G4334} to the second {G1208}, and said {G2036} likewise {G5615}. And {G1161} he answered {G611} and said {G2036}, I {G1473} go, sir {G2962}: and {G2532} went {G565} not {G3756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The father went to his other son and said the same thing. This one answered, `I will, sir'; but he didn't go.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse, Matthew 21:30, is a pivotal moment within Jesus' Parable of the Two Sons, introducing the second son who, when commanded by his father to work in the vineyard, readily assents with a polite "I go, sir," but then fails to act. It stands in stark contrast to the first son, who initially refused but later repented and obeyed, thereby highlighting the profound difference between outward profession and genuine, active obedience. The verse underscores the parable's central message concerning the true nature of discipleship and the emptiness of mere lip service without corresponding action.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 21:30 is embedded within the Parable of the Two Sons, which Jesus tells immediately after His authority is challenged by the chief priests and elders in the temple courts. This parable, found in [Matthew 21:28-32](/matthew/21-28-32 "Matthew 21:28-32 - The Parable of the Two Sons"), serves as a direct response to their questioning of His actions and teachings. The first son's initial refusal followed by repentance and obedience provides a foil for the second son's polite agreement followed by inaction, which is the focus of this verse. The parable itself is part of a series of parables of judgment (including the [Parable of the Wicked Tenants](/matthew/21-33-46 "Matthew 21:33-46 - The Parable of the Wicked Tenants") and the [Parable of the Wedding Feast](/matthew/22-1-14 "Matthew 22:1-14 - The Parable of the Wedding Feast")) that Jesus delivers in Jerusalem, signaling the impending rejection of the religious establishment and the transfer of God's kingdom to those who bear its fruit.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this parable is the Temple courts in Jerusalem, a highly significant location for Jewish religious life. Jesus is speaking to the "chief priests and elders of the people," who represented the religious and political establishment of first-century Judaism. In this patriarchal society, a son's obedience to his father was a foundational societal expectation, making the actions of both sons deeply resonant. The parable implicitly critiques the prevalent religious culture where outward displays of piety, adherence to tradition, and verbal affirmations of faith were often prioritized over genuine internal transformation and active obedience to God's will. Many religious leaders of the time were accused by Jesus of hypocrisy, appearing righteous externally while their hearts were far from God, a theme central to His ministry, as seen in passages like [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees").
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 21:30 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew and Jesus' broader teaching. Foremost among these is the theme of **genuine obedience versus false profession**. The second son's failure to act despite his polite affirmation highlights Jesus' consistent critique of those who offer mere lip service to God while their lives do not reflect true submission to His will. This directly relates to the theme of **hypocrisy**, a sin Jesus frequently condemned, especially among the religious elite, as exemplified in His woes against the Pharisees in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees"). The parable underscores that **actions speak louder than words**, emphasizing that true faith is demonstrated by deeds, not just verbal declarations. Ultimately, the parable, with this verse as a key component, points to the theme of **the transfer of the kingdom of God** from those who reject God's messengers and fail to produce fruit, to those who, like the first son, may initially resist but ultimately repent and obey, thus bearing the fruit of righteousness, as Jesus states in [Matthew 21:43](/matthew/21-43 "Matthew 21:43 - The Kingdom Taken Away").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **second (Greek, _deúteros'_):** From G1208. This term precisely identifies the son being addressed, setting up the direct comparison with the first son. His position as "second" is crucial for the parable's contrasting message, as his response will be juxtaposed against his brother's.
* **sir (Greek, _kýrios'_):** From G2962. The use of "sir" (κύριε) by the second son indicates a respectful and deferential address to his father, highlighting his outward politeness and seeming submission to authority. This politeness contrasts sharply with his subsequent disobedience, underscoring the superficiality of his verbal assent.
* **went not (Greek, _apérchomai_ and _ou'_):** From G565 and G3756. The combination of the verb "to go" (ἀπῆλθεν) with the absolute negative particle "not" (οὐκ) forms the critical turning point of the verse. It starkly reveals the son's failure to act on his promise, demonstrating a complete lack of follow-through despite his verbal affirmation. This phrase is the linchpin of the parable's message about the emptiness of mere words without corresponding action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he came to the second, and said likewise":** This opening phrase establishes the father's consistent approach, extending the same command to the second son as he did to the first. The phrase "said likewise" (ὡσαύτως) emphasizes that the opportunity and expectation were identical for both sons, setting the stage for their divergent responses and the parable's core comparison.
* **"And he answered and said, I go, sir":** Here, the second son's immediate verbal response is presented. His "I go, sir" (ἐγὼ, κύριε) is a polite, respectful, and seemingly obedient affirmation. It conveys an immediate willingness and intention to comply with his father's request, contrasting with the first son's initial blunt refusal. This verbal assent represents outward profession and a superficial display of readiness.
* **"and went not":** This short, decisive clause delivers the shocking and crucial twist. Despite his respectful and affirmative words, the second son utterly failed to follow through on his promise. The absolute negative "not" (οὐκ) underscores the complete absence of action, revealing the hollowness of his earlier profession. This is the pivotal point that exposes the son's hypocrisy and highlights the parable's central message: true obedience is demonstrated by deeds, not merely by words.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 21:30 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is **Juxtaposition** or **Contrast**, established immediately by presenting the second son's response in direct opposition to the first son's. Within this verse itself, there is a stark **Antithesis** between the second son's polite verbal affirmation ("I go, sir") and his subsequent complete lack of action ("and went not"). This creates a profound sense of **Irony**, as the son who outwardly appears more compliant is, in fact, disobedient. The use of the **Parable** form itself allows Jesus to use a relatable, everyday scenario (a father and his sons working in a vineyard) to illustrate a deeper spiritual truth about genuine obedience and hypocrisy, making the lesson accessible yet piercing. The phrase "said likewise" also implies a subtle **Repetition** of the father's command, emphasizing the equal opportunity and expectation given to both sons before their differing responses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 21:30 profoundly contributes to the biblical understanding of true righteousness and the nature of discipleship. It underscores that God is not merely concerned with outward declarations or polite religious language, but with the genuine transformation of the heart that leads to obedient action. This verse challenges the notion that verbal assent or religious affiliation alone constitutes a right relationship with God. Instead, it emphasizes that true faith is living and active, producing the "fruit" of obedience and service. The second son's failure serves as a stark warning against spiritual complacency and the dangers of hypocrisy, where one's public persona or verbal commitments do not align with their private conduct or actual submission to divine will. It reinforces the biblical principle that genuine repentance and faith are always evidenced by a change in behavior and a commitment to doing God's will.

* [James 2:14-26](/james/2-14-26 "James 2:14-26 - Faith Without Works is Dead")
* [Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")
* [Luke 6:46](/luke/6-46 "Luke 6:46 - Why Do You Not Do What I Tell You?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 21:30 serves as a powerful mirror for self-examination for every believer. It compels us to move beyond mere verbal assent to God's commands and to honestly assess whether our actions truly align with our professions of faith. Do we, like the second son, readily say "yes, Lord" in our prayers, worship, or theological affirmations, only to neglect the practical outworking of our discipleship in daily life? This verse challenges the comfort of spiritual complacency and warns against the subtle creep of hypocrisy, where our outward appearance of piety masks an inward reluctance to obey. True faith is not passive; it is an active, dynamic commitment that translates into tangible obedience, service, and love. This passage calls us to a deeper, more integrated faith where our words and deeds are in harmonious testimony to our genuine submission to God's will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How often do my words of commitment to God outpace my actual actions of obedience?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be saying "yes, Lord" but "going not"?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to align my actions more closely with my stated beliefs and commitments to God?**

### FAQ
**Who does the second son in the parable represent?**

Answer: The second son, who politely says "I go, sir" but fails to work in the vineyard, primarily represents the religious leaders of Jesus' day—the chief priests and elders to whom Jesus was speaking. These individuals outwardly professed obedience to God, meticulously followed religious laws, and held positions of authority, giving the appearance of righteousness. However, Jesus implies that their hearts were not truly submitted to God's will, and their actions demonstrated a lack of genuine repentance and faith, particularly in their rejection of John the Baptist's message and Jesus Himself. This is explicitly stated in [Matthew 21:31-32](/matthew/21-31-32 "Matthew 21:31-32 - Jesus' Application of the Parable"), where Jesus tells them that tax collectors and prostitutes, who initially refused but later believed, would enter the kingdom before them.

**What is the main message or point of the Parable of the Two Sons?**

Answer: The core message of the Parable of the Two Sons is that **true obedience to God is demonstrated by action, not merely by verbal profession or outward appearance.** It emphasizes that God values a repentant heart that leads to genuine submission and active participation in His will, even if there was initial resistance, over a polite but ultimately empty promise. The parable critiques hypocrisy and highlights that those who genuinely seek to do God's will, regardless of their past, are more righteous in God's eyes than those who appear righteous but fail to act. This aligns with Jesus' teaching that true discipleship is characterized by bearing good fruit, as seen in [Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15-20 "Matthew 7:15-20 - False Prophets and Their Fruits").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 21:30, through its stark portrayal of the second son's disobedience, ultimately points to the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. Unlike the son who said "I go, sir" but went not, Jesus perfectly embodied the Father's will, declaring, "I always do what pleases him" ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). His entire life, from His incarnation to His crucifixion, was a resounding "yes" to the Father's call. He did not merely profess willingness; He actively and sacrificially fulfilled God's redemptive plan, culminating in His obedience "even to the point of death on a cross" ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Through His perfect obedience, Jesus secured salvation for those who, like the first son, may have initially strayed but through repentance and faith in Him, are enabled by the Holy Spirit to genuinely obey. Thus, Christ is the ultimate "Son who went," not only fulfilling the Father's will but also empowering His followers to live lives of true, active obedience that bear fruit for the Kingdom, a stark contrast to the empty promises of the second son. This truth is foundational to the New Covenant, where believers are given a new heart and the Spirit to walk in God's statutes, as promised in [Ezekiel 36:27](/ezekiel/36-27 "Ezekiel 36:27 - God's Spirit in His People") and fulfilled in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Titus 1:16

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

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.

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.

Romans 2:17

¶ Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

Romans 2:25

For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.