MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:1 The Messiah Asserts His Authority over Jerusalem. Jesus’ authority over Jerusalem is revealed in his triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1), actions in the temple (Matthew 21:12), cursing the fig tree (Matthew 21:18), debates with religious leaders (Matthew 21:23), and woes pro... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:4 THIS TOOK PLACE TO FULFILL. Matthew specifies that Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem upon a colt fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Jesus’ action is an open declaration that he is the righteous Davidic Messiah, for the prophecy says, “YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU.” The f... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:6 THE DONKEY AND THE COLT. Matthew alone mentions two animals. Having the mother donkey move alongside her colt would be the best way to calm it during the noisy entrance into Jerusalem. AND HE SAT ON THEM. “Them” refers to the cloaks. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getEleme... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:8 CLOAKS ON THE ROAD symbolized the crowd’s submission to Jesus as king (see 2 Kings 9:13). BRANCHES (palms) symbolized Jewish nationalism and victory (see John 12:13). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:9 HOSANNA. Hebrew, meaning “O save” (see 2 Samuel 14:4). SON OF DAVID. See note on Matt. 9:27. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:12 John’s Gospel records a similar cleansing of the temple at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (John 2:13). Interpreters have proposed two explanations: (1) there was only one cleansing, but John narrated the action at the beginning for thematic/theological purposes, while... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:15 HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID! Jesus acknowledges the children’s praise and links it to Psalms 8:2, thus claiming to be the Messiah. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:17 TO BETHANY. A village about 2 miles (3.2 km) from Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Perhaps Jesus LODGED at the home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha, who were close friends of his (Luke 10:38; John 11:1; John 12:1). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:18 Matthew discusses the cursing of the fig tree and the disciples’ reaction together, treating the events topically (compare note on v. Matthew 21:12). The tree was cursed most likely on Monday morning on the way into the city. On Tuesday morning the disciples react to th... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:19 FOUND NOTHING ON IT BUT ONLY LEAVES. See note on Mark 11:13–14. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:23 THESE THINGS most likely refers to Jesus’ disrupting the temple’s commercial activities the previous day (vv. Matthew 21:12). It also includes his authority to heal (vv. Matthew 21:14) and to teach in the temple (v. Matthew 21:23), since he is neither an official priest... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:25 FROM HEAVEN OR FROM MAN? The leaders’ refusal to answer this question shows their dishonesty and traps them. If they do not know whether John was from God, how can they judge whether Jesus is? ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=i... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:28 The parable of the TWO SONS demonstrates the religious leaders’ failure to respond rightly to John the Baptist’s prophetic ministry. A person’s actions ultimately prove whether or not he is obedient to God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for ... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:33 MASTER OF A HOUSE. Large farming estates owned either by foreigners or by wealthy Jews were common in Palestine (see note on Mark 12:1). The landowners frequently rented their vineyards to local farmers. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:34 BEAT, KILLED, STONED. The treatment of the SERVANTS brings to mind what God’s prophets experienced throughout OT history (see 1 Kings 18:4; Jeremiah 20:1). SON. An unmistakable allusion to the Father sending his own Son, Jesus. ⇐ ⇔ [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:42 CORNERSTONE (compare Psalms 118:22). The REJECTED Son will receive the position of ultimate importance. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:43 The leaders have failed to carry out their obligations to God both in their personal lives and in leading the nation of Israel. Therefore their privileged role is being TAKEN AWAY and GIVEN TO A PEOPLE PRODUCING ITS FRUITS. The church will be a new “people” consisting o... [ Continue Reading ]