Matthew Chapter 21: The King’s Entry and Authority


Matthew chapter 21 marks the beginning of Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem, presenting Him as the Messianic King who enters the city triumphantly, cleanses the temple, and faces challenges to His authority. Through these events and teachings, including the cursing of the fig tree and parables, Jesus reveals His divine identity, judges unfruitful Israel, and calls for genuine faith. Set during Passover week, this chapter sets the stage for escalating conflicts leading to the crucifixion. Using the English Standard Version (ESV) for scriptural references, this article explores Matthew 21, breaking it into key sections and providing cross-references to deepen its meaning.

Context and Setting
Matthew chapter 21 follows Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem (Matthew 20:17-34), occurring during Passover week, just days before His crucifixion (Matthew 26). The events unfold in Bethany, the road to Jerusalem, the temple, and surrounding areas. Matthew, written primarily for a Jewish audience, emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy (Matthew 1:1; 21:5). This chapter transitions from Jesus’ Galilean ministry to His climactic actions in Jerusalem, preparing for confrontations with religious leaders (Matthew 22–23) and eschatological teachings (Matthew 24–25). Its purpose is to affirm Jesus as the Christ, calling for faith and obedience (Matthew 7:21).

Key Sections and Themes

1. The Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-11)
As Jesus approaches Jerusalem from Bethphage near the Mount of Olives, He sends two disciples to fetch a donkey and her colt, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9: “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey” (Matthew 21:1-5, ESV). The disciples spread cloaks on the animals, and crowds lay cloaks and palm branches on the road, shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:8-9, ESV), quoting Psalm 118:25-26. The city, stirred, asks, “Who is this?” and the crowds reply, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee” (Matthew 21:10-11, ESV).

Cross-References:
  • Zechariah 9:9: The humble king’s entry, fulfilled in Jesus’ procession.
  • Psalm 118:25-26: The Messianic blessing, proclaimed by the crowd.
  • John 12:12-19: The parallel account of the triumphal entry.
  • 2 Samuel 7:12-16: The promise of David’s eternal throne, linked to “Son of David.”
Significance: Jesus’ entry as the Messianic King fulfills prophecy, with the donkey symbolizing humility and peace, not conquest. The crowd’s “Hosanna” acknowledges Him as David’s heir, though their understanding is partial, seeing Him as a prophet. The event provokes Jerusalem’s attention, setting the stage for His authoritative actions and conflicts with leaders.

2. Cleansing the Temple and Healing (Matthew 21:12-17)
Jesus enters the temple and drives out those buying and selling, overturning the money-changers’ tables and declaring, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21:13, ESV), quoting Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. The blind and lame come to Him, and He heals them (Matthew 21:14). Children shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” prompting the chief priests and scribes to object (Matthew 21:15). Jesus defends them, citing Psalm 8:2: “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise” (Matthew 21:16, ESV). He then leaves for Bethany (Matthew 21:17).

Cross-References:
  • Isaiah 56:7: The temple as a house of prayer for all nations, defiled by commerce.
  • Jeremiah 7:11: The temple as a robbers’ den, fulfilled in its misuse.
  • Mark 11:15-19: The parallel account of the temple cleansing.
  • Psalm 8:2: Children’s praise ordained by God, affirmed by Jesus.
Significance: Jesus’ cleansing of the temple asserts His authority over God’s house, condemning its commercialization and restoring its purpose as a place of prayer. His healing of the marginalized fulfills Messianic expectations (Isaiah 35:5-6), while the children’s praise validates His identity. The leaders’ indignation foreshadows their opposition, highlighting their spiritual blindness.

3. The Cursing of the Fig Tree (Matthew 21:18-22)
Returning to Jerusalem, Jesus, hungry, sees a fig tree with leaves but no fruit and says, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” causing it to wither (Matthew 21:18-19, ESV). The disciples marvel, and Jesus teaches, “If you have faith and do not doubt… whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matthew 21:21-22, ESV).

Cross-References:
  • Mark 11:12-14, 20-24: The parallel account, spread over two days.
  • Jeremiah 8:13: God’s judgment on fruitless Israel, symbolized by the fig tree.
  • Hebrews 11:6: Faith as essential for pleasing God, reflected in Jesus’ teaching.
  • Hosea 9:10: Israel as a fig tree, judged for unfruitfulness.
Significance: The fig tree, symbolizing Israel, appears fruitful (with leaves) but lacks fruit, representing the nation’s spiritual barrenness despite outward religiosity. Its cursing foreshadows judgment on unrepentant Israel (Matthew 23:38). Jesus’ lesson on faith encourages disciples to trust God’s power in prayer, aligning their requests with His will.

4. The Question of Authority and Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:23-32)
In the temple, the chief priests and elders challenge Jesus, asking, “By what authority are you doing these things?” (Matthew 21:23, ESV). Jesus counters, “Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” (Matthew 21:25, ESV). Fearing the crowd’s response, they say, “We do not know,” and Jesus refuses to answer (Matthew 21:26-27). He tells the Parable of the Two Sons: a father asks his sons to work in his vineyard; one refuses but later goes, while the other agrees but does not (Matthew 21:28-30). Jesus asks which son obeyed, and they say the first. He declares, “Tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you,” as they believed John, while the leaders did not (Matthew 21:31-32, ESV).

Cross-References:
  • John 1:19-27: John’s testimony, linked to Jesus’ question about his authority.
  • Luke 20:1-8: The parallel account of the authority question.
  • Ezekiel 33:31-32: Lip service without obedience, like the second son.
  • Matthew 3:7-10: John’s call to repentance, heeded by sinners but not leaders.
Significance: Jesus’ question exposes the leaders’ refusal to acknowledge divine authority in John or Himself, revealing their hypocrisy. The parable contrasts the repentant sinners, who obey despite initial rebellion, with the leaders, who profess obedience but fail to act. It underscores the kingdom’s accessibility to the humble who respond in faith.

5. The Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46)
Jesus tells another parable: a landowner plants a vineyard, leases it to tenants, and sends servants to collect fruit. The tenants beat, kill, and stone the servants, and later kill the landowner’s son, hoping to seize the inheritance (Matthew 21:33-39). Jesus asks, “What will the owner do to those tenants?” The leaders reply, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to others” (Matthew 21:40-41, ESV). Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and says the kingdom will be taken from them and given to others who bear fruit (Matthew 21:42-43, ESV). The leaders, realizing the parable targets them, seek to arrest Him but fear the crowd (Matthew 21:45-46).

Cross-References:
  • Isaiah 5:1-7: Israel as God’s vineyard, judged for unfruitfulness.
  • Psalm 118:22-23: The rejected stone as the cornerstone, fulfilled in Jesus.
  • Mark 12:1-12: The parallel account of the tenants’ parable.
  • Acts 4:11: Peter’s use of Psalm 118 to proclaim Jesus as the cornerstone.
Significance: The parable allegorizes Israel’s history, with the tenants as leaders, servants as prophets, and the son as Jesus. Their rejection of the son predicts Jesus’ crucifixion, while the owner’s judgment foreshadows the kingdom’s transfer to a fruitful people, including Gentiles (Romans 11:11-12). The cornerstone prophecy affirms Jesus’ ultimate triumph, despite rejection.

Theological Themes
Matthew 21 weaves together several key themes:
  1. Messianic Authority: Jesus’ entry, cleansing, and teaching affirm His kingship (Daniel 7:13-14).
  2. Prophetic Fulfillment: His actions fulfill Old Testament promises (Zechariah 9:9; Psalm 118:22).
  3. Judgment on Unfruitfulness: Israel’s leaders face consequences for spiritual barrenness (Romans 11:20).
  4. Faith and Obedience: The parables call for genuine response to God’s kingdom (James 2:17).
  5. Inclusivity of the Kingdom: Sinners and Gentiles enter through faith, unlike unrepentant leaders (Matthew 8:11-12).
Application for Today
Matthew 21 invites us to acclaim Jesus as our humble King, submitting to His authority. The temple cleansing challenges us to purify our worship, prioritizing prayer over worldly gain. The fig tree’s curse warns against superficial faith, urging us to bear fruit through trust in Christ. The parables call us to obey God’s call, like the first son, and steward His gifts faithfully, unlike the tenants. As we reflect, may we honor Jesus as the cornerstone, live fruitfully, and welcome His kingdom with faith.

Conclusion
Matthew chapter 21 reveals Jesus as the Messianic King who enters Jerusalem, cleanses the temple, and challenges Israel’s unfruitfulness. Through His triumphal entry, miracles, and parables, He asserts His authority and calls for genuine faith. As we study Matthew 21, may we worship the Christ, bear kingdom fruit, and trust in His redemptive triumph.
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