But what think ye? A formula connecting what follows with what has preceded, and making the hearers themselves the judges. By this and the succeeding parables, Jesus shows his interlocutors their true guilty position and the punishment that awaited them.
He himself explains the present parable in reference to his hearers, though, of course, it has, and is meant to have, a much wider application. A certain man ( ἀ ìνθρωπος, a man) had two sons. The man represents God; the two sons symbolize two classes of Jews—the Pharisees, with their followers and imitators; and the lawless and sinful, who made no pretence of religion.
The former are those who profess to keep the Law strictly, to the very letter, though they care nothing for its spirit, and virtually divorce religion from morality The latter are careless and profane persons, whom the Lord calls "publicans and harlots" (Matthew 21:31).
The first. Westcott and Hort, relying on no very weighty authority, reverse the order of the sons' answers, altering Matthew 21:31 in agreement with this arrangement. Christ's reply countenances the received text, setting the repentant before the professing son.
It is a matter of small importance (see Tischendorf, in loc.). "The first son "here typifies the evil and immoral among the Jewish people. Go, work today. Two emphatic imperatives. Immediate obedience is required.
"Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Psalms 95:7, Psalms 95:8). God called his sons to serve in his vineyard—the Church. He called them by the prophets, and more especially by John the Baptist, to turn from evil ways, and to do works meet for repentance (Matthew 3:8).
Christ gives two examples, showing how this call was received.