Matthew21

Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, acclaimed as the Son of David, fulfilling prophecy. He then cleanses the Temple, rebuking those who profaned it, and teaches on faith after cursing a barren fig tree. His authority is challenged by religious leaders, to whom he responds with the parables of the Two Sons and the Wicked Husbandmen, revealing their rejection of God's messengers and Son.

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The Triumphal Entry

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples,

saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me.

If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

So the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.

They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.

A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Cleansing the Temple

Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.

And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them.

But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where He spent the night.

The Fig Tree Withered

In the morning, as Jesus was returning to the city, He was hungry.

Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered.

When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Questioning Jesus' Authority

When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?”

“I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”

So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Parable of the Two Sons

But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.

Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go.

Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.

For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.

When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit.

But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.

Again, he sent other servants, more than the first group. But the tenants did the same to them.

Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’

So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those tenants?”

“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and will rent out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his share of the fruit at harvest time.”

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

When the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they knew that Jesus was speaking about them.

Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.

Study Notes for Matthew 21

Verse 1

The Mount of Olives and Bethphage mark the final approach to Jerusalem, signifying the beginning of Passion Week, the most critical period of Jesus' ministry.

Verse 2

Jesus' precise foreknowledge of the animals demonstrates his divine authority and control over the circumstances of his entry, fulfilling prophecy.

Verse 4

Matthew frequently highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, establishing Jesus as the messianic King promised to Israel.

Verse 5

Quoting Zechariah 9:9, this prophecy emphasizes that Jesus enters as a humble King of peace, contrasting sharply with Roman generals who rode warhorses.

Verse 9

"Hosanna" means 'Save, please!' or 'Save now!' and was a liturgical cry of praise. Calling Jesus 'Son of David' affirms his messianic lineage and royal claim.

Verse 10

The term 'all the city was moved' (literally 'shaken') suggests a profound stir and excitement, acknowledging the magnitude of the event and the controversy surrounding Jesus.

Verse 12

Jesus cleanses the Court of the Gentiles, which was intended for prayer but had been converted into a marketplace, obstructing Gentiles' access to worship and exploiting pilgrims.

Verse 13

Jesus merges Isaiah 56:7 ('house of prayer') and Jeremiah 7:11 ('den of thieves'), condemning the religious authorities for turning a place of sacred devotion into a place of greed and corruption.

Verse 15

The chief priests’ anger stems not only from the disruption of their commerce but also from the nature of the Messianic praise being offered to Jesus.

Verse 16

Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2, validating the spontaneous worship of the children while rebuking the religious leaders, implying that those without status often see God's truth more clearly.

Verse 19

This serves as an acted parable. The fig tree symbolizes Israel's lack of spiritual fruit despite its outward appearance (leaves/Torah), leading to divine judgment.

Verse 21

The lesson shifts from judgment to the power of faith. 'Removing this mountain' is a hyperbolic Jewish expression for overcoming immense obstacles through prayer and belief.

Verse 23

This direct challenge from the religious elite aims to undermine Jesus' public ministry and force him to declare his source of power, which they would use to accuse him.

Verse 25

Jesus’ counter-question concerning John the Baptist traps his opponents, forcing them to choose between offending the people (who respected John) or affirming divine mission (which would validate Jesus).

Verse 27

Their refusal to answer, based on political fear, demonstrates their lack of moral authority, thus nullifying their right to question Jesus’ spiritual authority.

Verse 31

The first son represents those initially rejected (tax collectors and sinners) who ultimately repented. Jesus contrasts their genuine repentance with the leaders' verbal assent and practical disobedience.

Verse 33

This parable uses the familiar Old Testament imagery of the vineyard (cf. Isaiah 5) to represent Israel. The householder is God, and the tenants are the religious leaders.

Verse 34

The servants represent the prophets whom God sent throughout Israel's history to call the people to repentance and fruitfulness.

Verse 37

The sending of the Son marks the climax of God's patience and establishes Jesus' self-understanding as the unique, divine heir.

Verse 38

The tenants’ motivation—greed and the desire to seize the inheritance—reflects the leaders’ desire to maintain their power and control over Israel.

Verse 39

“Cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him” tragically foreshadows Jesus' crucifixion outside the city walls of Jerusalem (cf. Heb. 13:12).

Verse 41

The leaders unintentionally pronounce judgment upon themselves, confirming that God will transfer responsibility for the kingdom to those who produce fruit.

Verse 42

Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22–23. This foundational messianic text affirms that the one rejected by the religious establishment (the builders) will be the cornerstone of God's new structure.

Verse 43

This powerful statement declares the transfer of the Kingdom’s administration from the unfaithful leaders of Israel to a new community ('a nation') that yields genuine righteousness and obedience (the Church).

Verse 44

This verse warns of the destructive consequences of rejecting Christ: falling on the stone means being crushed by its weight; the stone falling on someone means inevitable judgment.

Verse 46

The leaders recognized Jesus was speaking of them, yet their fear of the popular opinion (who saw Jesus as a prophet) restrained them from immediate action.

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Matthew21

The Triumphal Entry

Cleansing the Temple

The Fig Tree Withered

Questioning Jesus' Authority

Parable of the Two Sons

Parable of the Wicked Tenants

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