The Parable of the Two Sons: Obedience and Repentance

This parable highlights the contrast between outward obedience and true heartfelt repentance.

The Parable of the Two Sons: Obedience and Repentance

Matthew 21:28-32/ KJV

28. 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.
29. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Sermons Related to this Bible Chapter - The Parable of the Two Sons: Obedience and Repentance

Parables #11: Too late for regrets : God emphasizes to you the urgency of abandoning yourself to Him. He gives you obvious examples of His action but you snub him. Be careful, either you could regret it but too late, or your attitude will send you into a worrying spiral against faith. Meanwhile, it's not those we think of who happily take hold of God's promises

General themes for this chapter of the Bible: Triumphal Entry; Cleansing the Temple; Fig Tree withers

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A night scene shows two brothers walking away from the family home in different directions. One is walking towards a bright light, the other walks away from it into darkness. The path reflects the choices they have made and the path their lives are taking. The diverging paths at night visually represent the choices made by the sons and the vastly different directions their lives take as a result.

A vineyard in the process of being pruned. Some vines are healthy and well-maintained, others are neglected and overgrown, representing the choices and consequences of the two sons. The focus is on the contrast between the cared-for and neglected vines, The image should not contain any text or explicit representation of the sons. The visual contrast between well-maintained and neglected vines powerfully illustrates the parable's central theme of choices and their consequences without explicit depiction.

A simple, worn wooden yoke lies abandoned in a dusty field, symbolizing the weight of responsibility and the burden of obedience. The absence of a person highlights the consequences of ignoring the yoke of duty. The image should not contain any text or explicit representation of the sons. The abandoned yoke symbolizes the weight of responsibility and the burden of obedience, visually illustrating the consequences of neglecting one's duty without explicit representation.

A macro closeup of a weathered, sun-baked vineyard, showing the painstaking detail of the cultivation, symbolizing the father's labor and the son's potential. The soil is rich and dark, hinting at the potential for both good and bad harvests. Some grapes are ripe and bursting, others withered, reflecting the parable's theme of potential realized and potential wasted. This macro shot focuses on the details of the vineyard, symbolizing the potential for good or bad harvests, mirroring the sons' choices. The contrast between ripe and withered grapes reflects the parable's core message.

A macro closeup of a worn, wooden plow abandoned in a field at dusk. Rust covers parts of the plow, suggesting abandonment and neglect. A few wilting weeds grow near it, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and missed opportunity. The setting sun casts long shadows, emphasizing the passage of time and lost chances. The abandoned plow represents the neglected potential and wasted opportunities resulting from disobedience, the rust symbolizing the decay of a life unfulfilled.

A vibrant sunrise paints the sky in oranges and yellows over a sprawling olive grove. The olive trees, symbols of peace and abundance, are laden with ripe olives, representing the potential for a bountiful harvest if the son had obeyed his father's wishes. A path winds through the grove, leading to a distant farmhouse. The abundance of olives in the bright morning sun symbolizes the potential reward for obedience and the blessings that come from following God's will.

A bright morning scene depicting a field of wheat ready for harvest. The golden wheat stalks sway gently in the warm breeze, their abundance signifying the blessings of obedience and the reward for fulfilling one's responsibilities. The sun's golden rays emphasize the goodness and prosperity that comes from following God's will. The golden wheat field, ready for harvest, represents the blessings resulting from fulfilling one's responsibilities, a direct reflection of the obedient son's actions and rewards.

The sun sets over a desolate, rocky landscape, casting long shadows and a feeling of loneliness and regret. The harsh landscape, without vegetation, reflects the consequences of the disobedient son's choices. The sky is a mixture of somber purples and oranges, conveying a sense of loss and missed opportunities. The desolate landscape at sunset mirrors the emptiness and regret associated with the disobedient son's choices, reflecting the consequences of ignoring one's responsibilities.

An evening scene shows a barren vineyard, vines withered and unproductive, bathed in the fading light of the setting sun. The barrenness represents the consequences of disobedience and wasted potential. The colors are muted and somber, conveying a sense of emptiness and regret. The barren vineyard, bathed in the fading light, visually represents the lack of fruit and the consequences of the son's disobedience, mirroring the unproductive life resulting from his choices.

Two sons, dressed in simple clothing of the time, stand before their father in the early morning light. One son looks downcast and ashamed, while the other stands tall with a look of pride, reflecting the contrasting attitudes towards obedience. The setting is a simple farmyard with tools and animals. The contrasting expressions of the sons in the morning light highlight their attitudes toward obedience, illustrating the parable's contrast between outward action and true repentance.

Two young men, one with a determined and positive expression, the other with a sullen and defiant face, work in the fields during the day. The setting is a simple agrarian landscape. The difference in their demeanor reflects their contrasting responses to their father's request. The contrasting work ethics in the daytime field scene highlight the difference between fulfilling one's duty (obedient son) and neglecting it (disobedient son).

The older son is huddled in the shadows of a barn at night, overwhelmed by a sense of guilt and regret for his disobedience. The scene is dark and somber, with a single lantern casting a weak light, representing the darkness of his heart and the weight of his actions. The dark, somber scene illustrates the guilt and regret of the disobedient son, reflecting the darkness within his heart and the consequence of his actions.

overlayed with the bible verse 28. 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.

NOTE: The images reflect the following descriptions related to the theme : The Parable of the Two Sons: Obedience and Repentance

A macro closeup of a weathered, sun-baked vineyard, showing the painstaking detail of the cultivation, symbolizing the father's labor and the son's potential. The soil is rich and dark, hinting at the potential for both good and bad harvests. Some grapes are ripe and bursting, others withered, reflecting the parable's theme of potential realized and potential wasted.
A macro closeup of a worn, wooden plow abandoned in a field at dusk. Rust covers parts of the plow, suggesting abandonment and neglect. A few wilting weeds grow near it, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and missed opportunity. The setting sun casts long shadows, emphasizing the passage of time and lost chances.
A vibrant sunrise paints the sky in oranges and yellows over a sprawling olive grove. The olive trees, symbols of peace and abundance, are laden with ripe olives, representing the potential for a bountiful harvest if the son had obeyed his father's wishes. A path winds through the grove, leading to a distant farmhouse.
A bright morning scene depicting a field of wheat ready for harvest. The golden wheat stalks sway gently in the warm breeze, their abundance signifying the blessings of obedience and the reward for fulfilling one's responsibilities. The sun's golden rays emphasize the goodness and prosperity that comes from following God's will.
The sun sets over a desolate, rocky landscape, casting long shadows and a feeling of loneliness and regret. The harsh landscape, without vegetation, reflects the consequences of the disobedient son's choices. The sky is a mixture of somber purples and oranges, conveying a sense of loss and missed opportunities.
An evening scene shows a barren vineyard, vines withered and unproductive, bathed in the fading light of the setting sun. The barrenness represents the consequences of disobedience and wasted potential. The colors are muted and somber, conveying a sense of emptiness and regret.
Two sons, dressed in simple clothing of the time, stand before their father in the early morning light. One son looks downcast and ashamed, while the other stands tall with a look of pride, reflecting the contrasting attitudes towards obedience. The setting is a simple farmyard with tools and animals.
Two young men, one with a determined and positive expression, the other with a sullen and defiant face, work in the fields during the day. The setting is a simple agrarian landscape. The difference in their demeanor reflects their contrasting responses to their father's request.
The older son is huddled in the shadows of a barn at night, overwhelmed by a sense of guilt and regret for his disobedience. The scene is dark and somber, with a single lantern casting a weak light, representing the darkness of his heart and the weight of his actions.
A night scene shows two brothers walking away from the family home in different directions. One is walking towards a bright light, the other walks away from it into darkness. The path reflects the choices they have made and the path their lives are taking.
A vineyard in the process of being pruned. Some vines are healthy and well-maintained, others are neglected and overgrown, representing the choices and consequences of the two sons. The focus is on the contrast between the cared-for and neglected vines, The image should not contain any text or explicit representation of the sons.
A simple, worn wooden yoke lies abandoned in a dusty field, symbolizing the weight of responsibility and the burden of obedience. The absence of a person highlights the consequences of ignoring the yoke of duty. The image should not contain any text or explicit representation of the sons.

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The Parable of the Two Sons: Obedience and Repentance