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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 21:42 CORNERSTONE (compare Psalms 118:22).
The REJECTED Son will receive the position of ultimate importance.
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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 ]