CHAPTER XXI. _Christ rides into Jerusalem upon an ass, and the multitude_ _receive him joyfully_, 1-11. _He enters the temple, and expels the money-changers, c_. 12, 13. _The blind and the lame come to him and are healed_, 14. _The chief priests and scribes are offended_, 15. _Our Lord confoun... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:2. _YE SHALL FIND AN ASS TIED, AND A COLT_] _Asses_ and _mules_ were in common use in Palestine: _horses_ were seldom to be met with. Our blessed Lord takes every opportunity to convince his disciples that nothing was _hidden_ from him: he informs them of the most minute occurrence;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:3. _THE LORD_ (the proprietor of all things) _HATH NEED OF_ _THEM_] Jesus is continually humbling himself, to show us how odious _pride_ is in the sight of God: but in his humility he is ever giving proofs of his almighty power, that the belief of his _divinity_ may be established.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:4. _ALL THIS WAS DONE_] The word _all_, in this clause, is omitted by some MSS., versions, and fathers. _WHICH WAS SPOKEN_] The Spirit of God, which predicted those things that concerned the Messiah, took care to have them literally fulfilled: 1. To show the truth of prophecy in g... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:5. _TELL YE THE DAUGHTER OF SION_] The quotation is taken from Zechariah 9:9, but not in the precise words of the prophet. This entry into Jerusalem has been termed the _triumph_ of Christ. It was indeed the triumph of _humility_ over _pride_ and worldly grandeur; of _poverty_ over... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:7. _AND PUT ON THEM THEIR CLOTHES_] Thus acknowledging him to be their _king_, for this was a _custom_ observed by the people when they found that God had appointed a man to the kingdom. When Jehu sat with the captains of the army, and Elisha the prophet came, by the order of God, t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:8. _CUT DOWN BRANCHES FROM THE TREES_] Carrying palm and other branches was emblematical of victory and success. See 1 Mac. xiii. 51; 2 Mac. x. 7; and Revelation 7:9. The rabbins acknowledge that the prophecy in Zechariah refers to the Messiah; so Rab. _Tancum_, and Yalcut Rubeni... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:9. _HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID_] When persons applied to the king for help, or for a redress of grievances, they used the word _hosanna_, or rather from the Hebrew הושיעה נא HOSHIAH NA! _Save now_! or, _Save, we beseech thee_! - redress our grievances, and give us help from oppres... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:10. _ALL THE CITY WAS MOVED_] Or, _the whole city was in_ _motion_. εσεισθη, was in a tumult - they saw and heard plainly that the multitude had proclaimed Christ _king_, and _Messiah_. _Who is_ _this_? Who is accounted worthy of this honour?... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:11. _THIS IS JESUS_ THE PROPHET] ο προφητης THAT _prophet_ whom Moses spoke of, Deuteronomy 18:18. _I will raise them up a prophet - like unto thee_, c. Every expression of the multitude plainly intimated that they fully received our blessed Lord as the promised Messiah. - How stran... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:12. _JESUS WENT INTO THE TEMPLE OF GOD_, c.] "_Avarice_," says one, "covered with the veil of religion, is one of those things on which Christ looks with the greatest indignation in his Church. Merchandize of holy things, simoniacal presentations, fraudulent exchanges, a mercenary s... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:13. _MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED THE HOUSE OF PRAYER_] This is taken from Isaiah 56:7. _BUT YE HAVE MADE IT A DEN OF THIEVES._] This is taken from Jeremiah 7:11. Our Lord alludes here to those _dens_ and _caves_ in Judea, in which the public robbers either hid or kept themselves fort... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:14. _THE BLIND AND THE LAME CAME_] Having condemned the _profane_ use of the temple, he now shows the proper use of it. It is a _house of prayer_, where God is to manifest his goodness and power in giving _sight_ to the spiritually _blind_, and _feet_ to the _lame_. The _Church_ or... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:15. _THE CHIEF PRIESTS - WERE SORE DISPLEASED_] Or, _were_ _incensed_. Incensed at what! At the purification of the profaned temple! This was a work _they_ should have done themselves, but for which they had neither _grace_ nor _influence_; and their pride and jealousy will not suff... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:16. _OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES_] The eighth Psalm, out of which these words are quoted, is applied to Jesus Christ in _three_ other places in the new covenant, 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 2:6. Which proves it to be merely a prophetic psalm, relating to the Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:17. _AND HE LEFT THEM_ (καταλιπων, _finally leaving them_) _AND WENT - INTO BETHANY; AND HE LODGED THERE._] Bethany was a village about _two_ miles distant from Jerusalem, by Mount Olivet, John 11:18; and it is remarkable that from this day till his death, which happened about six... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:18. _NOW IN THE MORNING, AS HE RETURNED INTO THE CITY_] Which was his custom from the time he wholly left Jerusalem, spending only the day time teaching in the temple; see Matthew 21:17. This was probably on Thursday, the 12th day of the month _Nisan_. _He hungered _- Probably neit... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:19. _HE SAW A FIG TREE IN THE WAY_] επι της οδου, _By the_ _road side_. As this fig tree was by the _way side_, it was no _private_ property; and on this account our Lord, or any other traveller, had a right to take of its fruit. For a full explanation of this difficult passage, rel... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:20. _HOW SOON IS THE FIG TREE WITHERED AWAY!_] We often say to our neighbours, "How suddenly this man died! Who could have expected it so soon?" But who takes warning by these examples? What we say _to-day_ of OTHERS, may be said _to-morrow_ of OURSELVES. Be ye also ready! Lord, inc... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:21. _IF YE HAVE FAITH, AND DOUBT NOT_] See on Matthew 17:20. _Removing mountains_, and _rooting up of mountains_, are phrases very generally used to signify the _removing_ or _conquering_ great _difficulties_-getting through _perplexities_. So, many of the rabbins are termed _roote... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:22. _ALL THINGS - YE SHALL ASK IN PRAYER, BELIEVING_] In order to get salvation, there must be, 1. a _conviction_ of the want of it: this begets, 2. _prayer_, or _warm desires_, in the heart: then 3. the person _asks_, i.e. makes use of _words_ expressive of his wants and wishes:... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:23. _BY WHAT AUTHORITY DOEST THOU THESE THINGS?_] The things which the chief priests allude to, were his _receiving_ the _acclamations_ of the people as the _promised Messiah_, his _casting_ the _traders_ out of the _temple_, and his _teaching_ the _people_ publicly in it. _WHO GAV... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:24. _I ALSO WILL ASK YOU ONE THING_] Our Lord was certainly under no obligation to answer their question: he had already given them such proofs of his Divine mission as could not possibly be exceeded, in the miracles which he wrought before their eyes, and before all Judea; and, as... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:25. _THE BAPTISM OF JOHN_] Had John a _Divine commission_ or not, for his baptism and preaching? Our Lord here takes the wise in their own cunning. He knew the estimation John was in among the people; and he plainly saw that, if they gave any answer at all, they must convict themsel... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:27. _WE CANNOT TELL._] Simplicity gives a wonderful confidence and peace of mind; but double dealing causes a thousand inquietudes and troubles. Let a man do his utmost to conceal in his own heart the evidence he has of truth and innocence, to countenance his not yielding to it; God... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:28. _A_ CERTAIN _MAN HAD TWO SONS_] Under the emblem of these two sons, one of whom was a _libertine, disobedient_, and _insolent_, but who afterwards thought on his ways, and returned to his duty; and the second, a _hypocrite_, who promised all, and did nothing; our Lord points out... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 29. _I WILL NOT_] This is the general reply of every sinner to the invitations of God; and, in it, the Most High is treated without ceremony or respect. They only are safe who _persist not_ in the denial.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 30. _I GO, SIR_] This is all respect, complaisance, and professed, obedience; but _he went not_: he promised _well_, but did not perform. What a multitude of such are in the world, professing to know God, but denying him in their works! Alas! what will such professions avail, when God comes to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 31. _THE PUBLICANS AND THE HARLOTS_] In all their former conduct they had said NO. Now they yield to the voice of truth when they hear it, and enter into the kingdom, embracing the salvation brought to them in the Gospel. The _others_, who had been always professing the most ready and willing... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 32. _JOHN CAME UNTO YOU IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS_] Proclaiming the truth, and living agreeably to it. Or, _John came_ _unto you_, who are _in the way of righteousness_. This seems rather to be the true meaning and construction of this passage. The Jews are here distinguished from the Gentil... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 33. _THERE WAS A CERTAIN HOUSEHOLDER_] Let us endeavour to find out a general and practical meaning for this parable. _A_ _householder _- the _Supreme Being_. The _family _- the _Jewish nation_. The _vineyard _- the _city of Jerusalem_. The _fence _- the _Divine_ _protection_. The _wine-press... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 34. _HE SENT HIS SERVANTS_] _Prophets_, which, from _time_ to _time_, he sent to the Jewish nation to call both priests and people back to the purity of his holy religion. _RECEIVE THE FRUITS OF IT._] Alluding to the ancient custom of paying the rent of a farm in _kind_; that is, by a part of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 35. _BEAT ONE_] εδειραν, _took his skin off, flayed him_: probably alluding to some who had been _excessively scourged_. _KILLED ANOTHER_, c.] Rid themselves of the true witnesses of God by a _variety_ of persecutions.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 36. _OTHER SERVANTS_] There is not a moment in which God does not shower down his gifts upon men, and require the fruit of them. _Various instruments_ are used to bring sinners to God. There are _prophets, apostles, pastors, teachers_: some with his gift after this manner, and some after that.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 37. _LAST OF ALL HE SENT - HIS SON_] This requires no comment. Our Lord plainly means _himself_. _THEY WILL REVERENCE_] εντραπησονται, they will _reflect_ upon their _conduct_ and _blush for shame_ because of it, when they see my son. So the _Syric_ and _Persic_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 38. _SAID AMONG THEMSELVES_] Alluding to the _conspiracies_ which were then forming against the life of our blessed Lord, in the _councils_ of the Jewish elders and chief priests. See Matthew 27:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 39. _CAST_ HIM _OUT OF THE VINEYARD_] Utterly rejected the counsel of God against themselves; and would neither acknowledge the _authority_ of Christ, nor submit to his _teaching_. What a strange and unaccountable case is this! - a sinner, to enjoy a little longer his _false peace_, and the gr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:41. _HE WILL MISERABLY DESTROY THOSE WICKED MEN_] So, according to this evangelist, our Lord caused them to pass that sentence of destruction upon themselves which was literally executed about _forty years_ after. But Luke relates it differently: according to him, they said μηγενοιτ... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:42. _THE STONE_] R. Solom. Jarchi, on Micah 5., says, this _stone_ means the _Messiah_, אכן משיח: Abarbanel is of the same opinion. This seems to have been originally spoken of _David_ who was at first rejected by the Jewish rulers, but was afterwards chosen by the Lord to be the gr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:43. _THEREFORE SAY I_] Thus showing them, that to them alone the parable belonged. _The kingdom of God shall be taken_ _from you_-the Gospel shall be taken from you, and given to the Gentiles, who will receive it, and bring forth fruit to the glory of God. _BRINGING FORTH THE FRUIT... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:44. The 44th verse should certainly come before Matthew 21:43, otherwise the narration is not consecutive. -Verse Matthew 21:42. _The stone which the builders rejected, is become the_ _head of the corner_, c. -Verse Matthew 21:44. _Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be brok... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:45. _THE CHIEF PRIESTS - PERCEIVED THAT HE SPOKE OF THEM._] The most wholesome advice passes for an affront with those who have shut their hearts against the truth. When that which should lead to repentance only kindles the flame of malice and revenge, there is but little hope of th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 21:46. _THEY SOUGHT TO LAY HANDS ON HIM, THEY FEARED THE_ _MULTITUDE_] Restraining and preventing grace is an excellent blessing, particularly where it leads to repentance and salvation; but he who abstains from certain evils, only through fear of scandal or punishment, has already com... [ Continue Reading ]