The Two Sons

The first son's initial words are wrong, but his final action moves in the right direction. The second son's words are right, but his action contradicts them. The parable therefore challenges the idea that correct religious words are sufficient when they are not matched by genuine response. Metamelomai overlaps with regret and change of mind but is not the same word as metanoeō/metanoia, often used for repentance. Here the concrete point is clear: the son changes his decision and acts differently. It is therefore wise not to load the entire later theological concept of repentance into a single Greek verb. The parable is built around a clear contrast: First son: words = no, action = yes. Second son: words = yes, action = no. Jesus does not ask who spoke more respectfully but who did the father's will. Jesus' application explicitly says that tax collectors and prostitutes believed John. The parable should therefore not be reduced to the claim that belief is irrelevant and only works matter. In Jesus' application, belief, response, and changed action belong together. Jesus lets the religious leaders answer the question. When they say "the first," they state the principle Jesus then uses in his criticism of their own response to John. Jesus' criticism in verse 32 is especially sharp. The leaders did not believe John. Then they saw other people believe him, yet even this did not lead them to reconsider. The problem is therefore not only an initial wrong decision but a continued unwillingness to change.

Independent English translation from the Greek text, using SBLGNT as the primary Greek edition.