What Does Matthew 21:28 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The call joins being named a son with being sent to work today, while leaving the answer open.
THE MEANING
The verse places you inside a question: you are addressed as a child and given a concrete task for today. The vineyard is where the response to that call will become visible, but this verse leaves the response unresolved.
THE ROOT
ἐργάζου
ergazou
GROWS FROM
ἔργον
ergon
work, deed; that which is done
The command ἐργάζου (ergazou, work) belongs to the same word family as ἔργον (ergon, deed or work). The language holds the labor and the deed it produces close together: the father’s request is meant to take shape in what happens in the vineyard today.
ALSO GROWS
deed: Work, deed, or action.
ἔργον
The same seed names both the work requested and what is done.
worker: A laborer or worker.
ἐργάτης
The worker is named from the same family as the work itself, linking the person to the task.
THE PATTERN
A call becomes visible in the work and fruit that follow it.
What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.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.THE THREAD
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.The command translated “work” here, ἐργάζου (ergazou, work), shares its word family with ἔργον (ergon, deed or work), the word James uses for “works.” Both verses connect what is held inwardly with what takes form in action.
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