Matthew 21:15

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

And {G1161} when the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} scribes {G1122} saw {G1492} the wonderful things {G2297} that {G3739} he did {G4160}, and {G2532} the children {G3816} crying {G2896} in {G1722} the temple {G2411}, and {G2532} saying {G3004}, Hosanna {G5614} to the Son {G5207} of David {G1138}; they were sore displeased {G23},

But when the head cohanim and Torah-teachers saw the wonderful things he was doing, and the children crying out in the Temple, "Please deliver us!" to the Son of David, they were furious.

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!”

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were moved with indignation,

Commentary

Matthew 21:15 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' final days in Jerusalem, highlighting the stark contrast between innocent, heartfelt worship and hardened, religious opposition. Following His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and the dramatic cleansing of the temple, Jesus continued to perform "wonderful things," including healing the blind and lame right there in the sacred courts (Matthew 21:14). It was these miraculous acts, coupled with the spontaneous, joyful praise of children, that provoked the ire of the established religious authorities.

Context

This verse is set during Holy Week, just days before Jesus' crucifixion. The events immediately preceding it are crucial: Jesus had entered Jerusalem triumphantly, hailed by crowds. His subsequent act of driving out merchants and money-changers from the temple courts demonstrated His authority over religious institutions. The "wonderful things" mentioned in this verse refer to the miracles of healing that followed, showing Jesus' compassion and power within the temple itself. The chief priests and scribes were the religious elite, responsible for upholding Jewish law and temple order. Their authority was challenged by Jesus' actions and the public's response to Him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority vs. Religious Opposition: Jesus' actions in the temple, both cleansing and healing, undeniably demonstrated His divine authority. The "chief priests and scribes," representing the rigid religious establishment, were "sore displeased" because Jesus' popularity and power undermined their control and challenged their understanding of the Messiah.
  • Innocent Faith vs. Hardened Hearts: The children's simple, unadulterated praise of Jesus stands in stark contrast to the skepticism and anger of the religious leaders. Their pure hearts recognized Jesus for who He was, while the leaders, blinded by tradition and self-interest, could not. This theme is further explored in Matthew 21:16, where Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2.
  • Messianic Recognition: The children's cry, "Hosanna to the Son of David," is a clear declaration of Jesus' messianic identity. "Son of David" was a recognized title for the Messiah, signifying His rightful claim to the throne of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

  • Hosanna: This word, from the Hebrew hoshi’ah-na (הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא), literally means "save, we pray!" or "save now!" Over time, it evolved into an exclamation of praise and joy, particularly in a liturgical context, while retaining its original plea for deliverance.
  • Son of David: This title is highly significant, directly linking Jesus to the Davidic covenant and the prophetic expectation of a Messiah from David's lineage who would reign forever.
  • Sore Displeased: The Greek word used here, aganakteō (ἀγανακτέω), conveys a strong sense of indignation, outrage, or extreme annoyance. It indicates their deep frustration and anger at Jesus' actions and the children's praise.

Practical Application

Matthew 21:15 reminds us that genuine faith and worship can often be found in the most unexpected places, even among those deemed insignificant by society. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we open to God's work, even when it upsets our traditions or challenges our preconceived notions? The passage also highlights the danger of spiritual blindness, where rigid adherence to rules or personal power can prevent us from recognizing and celebrating God's presence and power. We are called to cultivate the simple, unadulterated faith of children, ready to praise God for His "wonderful things" and acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 21:9

    And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

  • Luke 19:39

    And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

  • Luke 19:40

    And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

  • Matthew 27:1

    ¶ When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

  • John 7:42

    Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

  • John 12:19

    The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

  • Matthew 22:42

    Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, [The Son] of David.