THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY (Mark 11:1 *, Luke 19:23; John 12:12). Mt. curiously misrepresents the poetic description of one animal in Zechariah 9:9 by making Jesus send for two, and even perhaps ride upon both, though thereon (Matthew 21:7) may refer to the garments. The intimation to the owner that Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE (Mark 11:15 *, Luke 19:45; John 2:13). Mt. here omits the first part of Mk.'s divided account of the figtree, and links the Temple incident with the entry. It is the temple of God (Matthew 21:12), and the phrase for all nations (Matthew 21:13) is omitted, though, as Lk. a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CURSING OF THE FIG TREE AND THE POWER OF FAITH (Mark 11:12 ff., Mark 11:20 *). What Mk. has severed, Mt. joins together. The miracle is enhanced by happening at once. The special mention of Peter is strangely omitted. In both Gospels the tree is condemned for falsity, not fruitlessness, and symb... [ Continue Reading ]
THE QUESTION OF AUTHORITY (Mark 11:27 *, Luke 20:1). Mk. is no doubt right in connecting the priest's question with the purging of the Temple, though these things may include teaching (and healing). For scribes and elders Mt. has elders of the people. BY WHAT AUTHORITY: lit. by what kind of authorit... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW 21:28 TO MATTHEW 22:14. A trilogy of parables, perhaps from Q, enforcing the implicit teaching of the fig-tree incident. MATTHEW 21:28. THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS. Mt. only. With Matthew 21:32 _cf._ Luke 7:29 f. Wellhausen points out that in Mt. the religious relationship between man and G... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD (Mark 12:1 *, Luke 20:9). The chief peculiarities of Mt.'s version are (Matthew 21:39) the slaying of the heir outside the vineyard (perhaps a recollection of Jesus suffering without the gate), (Matthew 21:41) the opponents of Jesus pronouncing sentence on themselves and... [ Continue Reading ]