The Parable of the Two Sons
"What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will? They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him." -Matthew 21
Jesus is saying that the second son was better than the first. To me this parable makes no sense because the second son is all talk but no action. The first son actually goes on to work in the vineyard and does what his father wanted. The second son is a liar. I realize that the parables are not to be taken for their literal meaning but in this case (and probably many others) it seems contradictory.
What is Jesus trying to illustrate by means of this story that makes no sense?
"What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will? They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him." -Matthew 21
Jesus is saying that the second son was better than the first. To me this parable makes no sense because the second son is all talk but no action. The first son actually goes on to work in the vineyard and does what his father wanted. The second son is a liar. I realize that the parables are not to be taken for their literal meaning but in this case (and probably many others) it seems contradictory.
What is Jesus trying to illustrate by means of this story that makes no sense?