Fragments on Matthew · §3 · Theophilus of Alexandria

The parable's point: repentant tax collectors and prostitutes are justified

Theophilus is explaining the point of the parable of the two sons from Matthew 21:28–32, now stating what the parable means for the first group.

This is what the parable wants to say: the tax collectors and the prostitutes repented and did the things pleasing to God, and so they are justified, having been persuaded by John—even though at first they were disobeying the law, or rather, disobeying God himself.

Greek

3 μτ 21, 28–32 Τοῦτο βούλεται εἰπεῖν ἡ παραβολή, ὅτι οἱ μὲν τελῶναι καὶ αἱ

πόρναι μετανοήσαντες καὶ τὰ ἀρεστὰ τῷ θεῷ ποιήσαντες δικαιοῦνται Ἰωάννῃ

πεισθέντες, εἰ καὶ κατ' ἀρχὰς ἠπείθουν τῷ νόμῳ, μᾶλλον δὲ τῷ θεῷ.

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About this text

Theophilus on the parable of the two sons: the Gentiles first refused and then repented, while Israel promised to obey and did not.

Theophilus of Alexandria (c. 345–412) is the name on these fragments on Matthew. They are not his fragments on John.

He takes up the story of the two sons. The first stands for the Gentiles. God, the common Father, sowed a teachable and natural law in their minds. They said to the wood, "You are my Father," and later repented and went to the vineyard. The second son is Israel, called through Moses, who said they would do and hear, and then did neither.

John justifies the prostitutes who repented. The Pharisees, who keep the law in words only, are rejected. The kingdom of heaven is in deeds, not in words.

Printed text used

Translated from PG 65 (Greek)

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