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Matthew
21:23-32
With thanks to page sponsor:
Kathi McShane
(sept0809)
 | Reading the Text:
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| Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
 | The
Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto. |
| Comparative texts about Pharisees
& Sadducees from Josephus, Tosefta, Mishnah & Babylonian Talmud. Comparative
texts about Baptism: Water &
Spirit from DSS, Josephus, Babylonian Talmud. Comparative primary texts about
Purity and Social
Relations (see esp "Tax Collectors Visit," from Mishnah, Midrash, Tosefta,
and Babylonian Talmud. At Mahlon H. Smith's (Rutgers University) Into His Own: Perspective on the World
of Jesus. |
|
XXXIII.28-29, 31-32, 35-39; Tatian's Diatessaron
(c. 150-160). |
|
I.XX.2,
IV.XX.12, Adversus
Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons.
(c. 180) |
|
Chapter X, On Baptism, Tertullian
(c. 198) |
|
II.4, Stromata,
Clement of Alexandria (c 200) |
|
V.III, The
Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome.
(c. 225) |
|
VI.14, Commentary
on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St.
Gregory Nazianzen], Origen.
(c.230) |
|
X.20, Commentary
on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247) |
| From the
Catena
Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas. |
| From the Geneva Notes.
 | "They hurry to the kingdom of God and you go slowly, so that you should at
least have followed their example. Mark then that this word, "go into", is
improperly taken in this place because none of them followed Christ." |
|
| From
Matthew
Henry's Commentary.
| "Parables which give reproof, speak plainly to the offenders, and judge
them out of their own mouths." |
|
| From
Wesley's
Notes.
| "The publicans and harlots - The most notorious sinners were
reformed, though at first they said, I will not. And ye seeing the amazing change
which was wrought in them, though at first ye said, I go, sir, repented not afterward
- Were no more convinced than before. O how is this scripture fulfilled at this
day!" |
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| From the
Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
| "The publicans and the harlots were the first son, who, when told to work
in the Lord's vineyard, said, I will not; but afterwards repented and went. Their early
life was a flat and flagrant refusal to do what they were commanded; it was one continued
rebellion against the authority of God. The chief priests and the elders of the people,
with whom our Lord was now speaking, were the second son, who said, I go, sir, but went
not. They were early called, and all their life long professed obedience to God, but never
rendered it; their life was one of continued disobedience." |
|
| From The People's
New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
| "The Greek word here translated "repent," is not the one which is
used in all commands as, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,"
"Repent and be baptized," "Repent and be converted," etc. This term
means, rather, regret or sorrow; the word in the other passages means "change
your minds" or "hearts."" |
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| Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
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Commentary,
Matthew 21:23-32, Ira Brent Driggers, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2008. |
|
Comments
(commentary) and
Clippings
(technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican
Diocese of Montreal. |
|
"First Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages in the Lectionary,"
Pentecost 20,
William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
| "It is odd that we still find so
many people inside the church who have a greater problem moving with compassion for change
in society than many outside the church. They seem bent on protecting
God." |
|
|
Dylan's Lectionary Blog,
Proper 21. Biblical Scholar
Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary
of the Episcopal Church.
| "God is
calling us to give up our judge's seats. Our edicts never saved anyone
anyway (nor did they doom anyone either, though we may have told ourselves
and others otherwise). Instead, God invites us to enjoy the freedom for
which his people were made..." |
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| Exegetical
Notes by Brian P. Stoffregen at CrossMarks.
| "I'm wondering if it is
God who comes and does things that threaten and shatter our
understandings of God; and that it is the demonic who wants us to
maintain the status quo about God -- which will normally be too narrow
an understanding of the God whose ways are far beyond our own." |
|
|
Matthew 21:23-32, Carmen Nanko-Fernández, Lectionary Homiletics
sample.
| "The sons in the parable, each in his own way,
demonstrate the distance between word and deed; and each of their
responses is disrespectful of the father whose request seems
reasonable in light of the relationship." |
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"Showing Up," Roger Lovette, The Christian Century, 2005.
| "It’s not always the one who talks or preaches or
teaches who reflects the will of the Father." |
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|
"Says Who?"
Gracia Grindal,
Christian Century, 2002.
| "It is no different today. Power always protects
itself. Those of us in religious leadership are just as venal as any in
the world. We speak sanctimoniously of peace and unity and shut out those
who challenge our authority..." |
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"The
Obedient Son," Susan Pendleton Jones, The Christian Century,
1999.
| "The stories in Matthew 21 center on
controversies that occur days before Jesus goes to the cross." |
|
|
"Two
Sons: Yeses That Don't Mean a Darn Thing!" Gospel Analysis, Sermons from
Seattle,
Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle,
Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
| "The parable for today
about the Two Sons in the Vineyard needs to be seen in its context with
the deepening conflict with the Pharisees." |
|
|
"Matthew 21:28-32, Pentecost 19," Perspectives on the Parables --
Glimpses on the Kingdom of God, Robert H. Albers, Word & World: Theology for
Christian Ministry, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1984. |
|
Matthew in the Margins, by
Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia. |
|
Wellspring of
the Gospel, Ordinary 26A, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn
Turner, Weekly Wellsprings. |
|
"True Change,"
Larry Broding's
Word-Sunday.Com: A
Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's
Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
| "How difficult is true moral
change?" |
|
|
"Which
of the Two?"
Jerry Goebel, One
Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study
and activities.
| "There is a very beautiful rabbinic blessing that
goes; 'May your leaders be those broken by compassion.'" |
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|
"The
Authority of Jesus," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible
Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed
textual notes. |
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| Articles & Background:
| "The
Two Sons," wikipedia. |
| "Which Son Obeyed
his Father? The Textual Problem in Matthew 21:29-31," Daniel B. Wallace, Dallas
Theological Seminary.
| "Thus, when one
looks at the internal coherence of the story, it seems evident that the Western reading
flattens out the mystery and presents the Pharisees as not only unrighteous but blithering
idiots. But such a lack of subtlety was probably not a part of the story or the historical
situation. And the third reading improves the text—at first glance—but in
reality seems to unravel the rich tapestry that is being woven by the Master Teacher
himself." |
|
|
"Under the
Spell of Good Intentions," Soren Kierkegaard, Bruderhof Communities.
(Archived)
| "As an alcoholic constantly
requires stronger and stronger drink, so the one who has fallen under
the spell of good intentions and smooth-sounding declaration constantly
requires more and more good intentions. And so he keeps himself from
seeing that he is walking backwards." |
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| Articles in
ATLAS Journals. (Direct link when you are
subscribed and logged in to
ATLASerials online collection of Religion and Theology Journals.):
| Albers, Robert H., "Perspectives on
the Parables - Glimpses of the Kingdom of God," Word & World,
1984. (Section on this text begins on page 444.)
Image Browse -
PDF |
| Grindal, Gracia, "Says Who?" The
Christian Century, 2002.
Image Browse -
PDF |
| Jones, Susan Pendleton, "The Obedient
Son," The Christian Century, 1999.
Image Browse -
PDF |
| Lovette, Roger, "Showing Up," The
Christian Century, 2005.
Image Browse -
PDF |
| Michaels, J. Ramsey, "The Parable of
the Regretful Son," Harvard Theological Review, 1968.
Image Browse -
PDF |
| Smillie, Gene R.,
"Jesus' Response to the Question of His Authority in Matthew 21,"
Bibliotheca Sacra, 2005.
Image Browse -
PDF |
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| Reviews:
|
Review: Welsey G.
Olmstead, Matthew's Trilogy of Parables: The
Nation, the Nations and the Reader in Matthew 21:28-22:14. Cambridge
University Press, 2004. Review by Garwood Anderson in SBL's Review of
Biblical Literature. |
| Wilson, Alistair I.,
When Will These Things Happen?: A Study of Jesus as Judge
in Matthew 21-25. PaterNoster Press, 2005.
Review
by Samuel Subramanian, Review of Biblical Literature, 2006. |
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| Sermons:
|
"Two Sons:
Yeses That Don't Mean a Darn Thing!"
Sermons from Seattle,
Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle,
Washington. |
|
"Side Comments to the Church Crowd,"
19 Pentecost - 25 September 2005, David Zersen, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the
RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors. |
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"Who's On First?" John Jewell,
1999. |
|
Father
Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
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| With Children:
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| Drama:
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| Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
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Clip Art, Matthew 21:31, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators. |
| Clip Art Images:
Matthew 21:28-32, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú. |
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Matthew 21:23-27,
Matthew 21:28-32, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora,
Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use
these for free.") |
|
Matthew 21:23-32, at
Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration.
Liberation emphasis. |
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| Hymns and Music:
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| Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's
Art Index: |
| Movies scenes with the following themes,
listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
| A Simple Plan (1998) - which of
these two sons did the will of the Father? |
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|
Study Links and Resources for the Book of Matthew |
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