This is the story of sinners (the first son) who initially reject their father's command, but later regret their decision and actually desire to go work in His vineyard. As Jesus tells it, the religious authorities indict themselves as the second son, who initially said he would go work in the vineyard, but never did because he never had the true desire.

If there were ever two groups of people the religious leaders could be absolutely sure would never inherit the kingdom of God, it would be the tax collectors and the prostitutes. Yet through the parable of two sons Jesus just told them they would enter the kingdom before them.