27
They decided to concede that round to Jesus. "We don't know," they answered. Jesus said, "Then neither will I answer your question.
28
"Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, 'Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.'
29
"The son answered, 'I don't want to.' Later on he thought better of it and went.
30
"The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, 'Sure, glad to.' But he never went.
31
"Which of the two sons did what the father asked?" They said, "The first."
32
John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn't care enough to change and believe him.
33
"Here's another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip.
34
When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.
35
"The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away.
36
The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment.
37
The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. 'Surely,' he thought, 'they will respect my son.'