Matthew 21:28 (WEB)
But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’
Catechism · 1
“Words are not enough, deeds are required.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 21:28-32.
Fathers and councils · 18
Augustine of Hippo
“And he answered and said, I go, sir; and went not;” and so on, down to the words, “And whosoever shall fall upon this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxi. 28–44.
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John Chrysostom
“They say, the first.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxi. 28–31. [There are a few slight variations from the received text.]
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Thus much prefaced, the Lord brings forward a parable, to convict them of their irreligion, and shew them that the kingdom of God should be transferred to the Gentiles.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Those who are to be judged in this cause, He applies to as judges, that condemning themselves they might be shewn to be unworthy to be acquitted by any other. It is high confidence of the justness of a cause, that…
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He speaks to the Gentile people first, through their knowledge of the law of nature; “Go and work in my vineyard;” i.e. “What you would not have done to you, that do not you to others.” [Tobit 4:16] He answers…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For the Gentiles from the beginning leaving God and his righteousness, and going over to idols and sins, seem to make answer in their thoughts, We will not do the righteousness of God.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
But when, at the coming of the Saviour, the Gentile people, having done penitence, laboured in God’s vineyard, and atoned by their labour for the obstinacy of their refusal, this is what is said, “But afterward he…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
But afterwards turning their backs, they lied unto God, according to that in the Psalms, “The sons of the strangers have lied unto me.” [Ps 18:44] This is what is said, “But he went not.” The Lord accordingly asks…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Whence we may gather, that in this parable the Lord spoke to such as promise little or nothing, but in their works shine forth; and against those who promise great things but do none of these things that they have…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
It should be known that in the correct copies it is read not “The last,” but The first,” that they might be condemned by their own sentence. But should we prefer to read, as some have it, “The last,” the explanation…
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The Lord abundantly confirms their decision, whence it follows, “Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto yon, that the publicans and harlots shall go before you in the kingdom of God;” as much as to say, Not only the…
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Yet the kingdom of God may be understood of the Gentiles, or of the present Church, in which the Gentiles go before the Jews, because they were more ready to believe.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Notwithstanding, the Jews are not shut out that they should never enter into the kingdom of God; but, “when the fulness of the Gentiles shall have entered in, then all Israel shall be saved.”
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
I suppose that the “publicans” here are to represent all sinful men, and “the harlots” all sinful women; because avarice is found the most prevailing vice among men, and fornication among women. For a woman’s life is…
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John came preaching the way of righteousness, because he pointed to Christ, who is the fulfilling of the Law.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, because his venerable conversation smote the hearts of sinners, as it follows, “But the Publicans and harlots believed on him.” Mark how the good life of the preacher gives its force to his preaching, so as to…
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Whence others think that the parable does not relate to Gentiles and Jews, but simply to the righteous and to sinners. These by their evil deeds had rejected God’s service, but after received from John the baptism of…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
This He brings in because the Priests had asked not in order to learn, but to tempt Him. But of the common folk many had believed; and for that reason He brings forward the parable of the two sons, shewing them…
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Cross-references · 3
Cited together in Jerome on Matthew 21:28–32 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Jerome on Matthew 21:28–32 (2) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Pseudo-Chrysostom on Matthew 21:28–32 (3) (Catena Aurea).