“Now” of Good News Translation represents either a translational equivalent of the Greek particle, translated “But” by New English Bible, or a transitional marker introduced for the sake of English readers, which is more probable. Barclay translates “What do you think?” but adds “Jesus went on,” which serves both as a transitional marker and as an indicator that Jesus is still speaking.
What do you think? translates the same question form used in 17.25 and 18.12, with the exception that in 17.25 “you” is singular (addressed to Simon Peter) as opposed to the plural “you” of 18.12 and this verse. The problem with a literal rendering of the question, as in most translations, is that it has no point of reference for the reader. One’s initial response to the question can well be “What do I think about what?” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch resolves this difficulty by rendering “What do you say to the following story?”
A man had two sons is literally “A man had two children.” Good News Translation uses “There was once…” (An American Translation, Phillips, Barclay, New International Version, New American Bible “There was…”), which is a normal pattern for introducing a story in English. This introductory formula leaves open the possibility that the story is true, whereas a formula such as “Once upon a time…” would indicate immediately that the story to follow is not true. In all probability this is a parable, but in translation one should not intentionally imply that the story has no basis in reality. On the other hand, in the telling of the story one should use an opening formula that is neutral.
As indicated above, the word sons actually means “children” (the same word used in the quotation in 2.18). However, when used in a context which specifically identifies the sex of the children as males (as the Greek does in verse 31), it is permissible to translate “sons.” There is no indication of the age of the sons, but the fact they were old enough to be asked to work in the fields indicates they were not small children.
“The older one” of Good News Translation (New American Bible “the elder”) is literally the first (so most translations). There is no way to decide whether “the first (verse 28) … the second (verse 30)” means “first one … then the other” or “the older … then the younger.” Good News Bible bases its interpretation on the assumption that in the Jewish culture a man would apparently have approached the older son first.
The noun Son is the singular form of the word translated sons in the first part of the verse. When used to address someone it was considered a term of endearment. For example, Jesus uses it when addressing the paralyzed man in 9.2. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch here translates “My son,” whereas in 9.2 the translators chose to leave it implicit.
Vineyard was discussed at 20.1. As there, the fact that the field in question is a vineyard is not essential to the story, and if the normal translation for the term results in an awkward sentence here, then a general form such as “farm” or “fields” is possible.
The command may need to be expressed with an indirect form, such as “asked the son to go and work in the vineyard that day.”
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .