In 2025 we're working our way through the gospels and invite you to join us as we seek to learn from Jesus. Find all our notes, from this year and past years, at the Faith Food tab. And if you'd like ideas for suggested pacing, download our March calendar. Welcome, friends, we're so glad you're journeying with us. Let's grow together!

Our notes on Matthew 21 include:

An Overview: Topic, Themes, and Summary.
An Outline Of our thoughts and questions.
Exploration Into discerning authority.
A Reflection On being part of the crowd.
An Invitation to Respond to God beholding you.

Matthew 21

Stone Wall by _Alicja_ at Pixabay

Overview

General Topic

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is met with celebration, but His actions and words quickly escalate the evil intent of the priests who reject Him.

Key Themes

Recognition. Fulfillment. Cleansing.

Summary

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem on a donkey surrounded by people cheering Him on as the Messiah. He first stops at the temple where He cleanses it. There, children recognize Him as the Messiah. The next morning, Jesus curses a tree that bears no fruit, tells His disciples they can do the same and more with faith, then returns to Jerusalem to curse the priests. He tells the priests two stories that clearly identify them as corrupt workers opposed to God's kingdom. The priests' desire to imprison Jesus grows.

Outline

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, and ! a connection. Researched answers are in italics. *R communicates that in-depth research follows.

On the Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-11)

Before entering Jerusalem, Jesus asks His disciples to bring Him a specific donkey and foal.

? There was a foal? I only remember the donkey. Why was there a foal? The foal was what Jesus rode on. Likely, the mother came too so the foal would remain calm. - NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
? Why was a donkey chosen? As a connection to His birth? Connection to Balak and Balaam? To Saul, the king of the donkeys vs. David ,the king of sheep?

This fulfilled Zechariah's prophecy. (Zechariah 9:9)

Matthew is the only gospel that records both the mother and the foal, which matches the prophecy. It also matches Matthew's purpose: to prove Jesus is the Messiah the Jews have been waiting for. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (Review background information on Matthew.)

They spread their cloaks on the donkey, on the foal, and on the ground.
All around people proclaimed His identity as the Messiah.

! Hosanna = a plea for salvation.

"yasha" + "anna" = deliver + beg = "I beg you to save" or "Please deliver us." - Got Questions
O Eternal One, save us (yasha), we beg (anna) You. O Eternal One, we beg You, bring us success! Psalm 118:25 VOICE

! Son of David = Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shell execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:5-6 KJV
! Comes in the name of the Lord = I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. John 5:43 KJV

On Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17)

Jesus cleanses the temple, declares its purpose, and heals people while children proclaim He is the Messiah.

🎵For the buyers and the sellers were no different fellas than what I profess to be.🎶 ("Put Your Hand in the Hand" performed by Selah) Connect to this song with us.
*The buyers and the sellers were bartering for the price of forgiveness, not realizing they could never pay the price.
! "Israel had been entrusted with the revelation of God. They were appointed to bless the whole world. But they had not chosen Yahweh, and neither do we...almost none of us expect Him to return. But, at that moment, Yahweh was near... [He] was coming to claim what was his. He was coming to make like Josiah (2 Kings 23). He was coming to present a purified temple, one last time, for one last Passover." - Blaine Eldredge, The Paradise King. p. 207

The priests, shocked by the children's proclamation, are pointed to prophecy by Jesus.

! Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2 KJV
! This is the truth: unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 VOICE (See Matthew 18 notes.)
* One strength of children is they are less tainted by the conformity of the world and more able to see the Truth.

Then, Jesus goes to Bethany for the night.

On Cursing the Fig Tree (Matthew 21:18-22)

In the morning, Jesus curses a fig tree that produced no fruit.

? Is Jesus' frustration reflective of His impending suffering? Or to teach His final poignant lessons before He leaves?
! Trees represent humans (Bible Project) and fruit represents our deeds (Matthew 7:16).
! My Father examines every branch in Me and cuts away those who do not bear fruit. He leaves those bearing fruit and carefully prunes them so that they will bear more fruit; John 15:2 VOICE

Immediately it withers.

! And he [whose delight is in the law of the Lord] shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:3 KJV
*Surely the fig tree represents an ungodly person (perhaps the priests) who produce evil fruit (like intent to imprison the Messiah).

Astonished, the disciples question how Jesus did it.
Jesus tells them faith is required.

* Jesus' constant reminder to us: We don't have enough faith.
! Faith is synonymous with trust. Every time you hear faith mentioned in the Bible, replace it with trust. Do you trust Him? - Brant Hansen

With faith, you can stop evil and redirect power.

! For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 KJV
! Tree = human; Mountains = powers. (Delve into our research on these symbols.) In Jewish culture, moving mountains was an idiom for doing the impossible. - NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
* We don't want evil trees to produce fruit. We don't want evil to remain in power. Through faith in God, we have the power to stop it.

Pray, believing you have this power, and whatever you ask will be granted.

* I believe this verse specifically regards the fight against "the rulers of the darkness of this world" and "spiritual wickedness", not literally whatever you want. God is not a genie.
* However, I do believe God does answer every prayer. Sometimes it is not how you expect it, sometimes it is not when you expect it, and sometimes it is to direct you into alignment with His will.

On Divine Authority (Matthew 21:23-27)

Back at Jerusalem's temple, Jesus' preaching is interrupted by the priests who demand to know who gave Him permission to preach there.
Jesus responds with a question: Were the baptisms performed by John of heaven's authority or his own?

? Who did have the authority to redeem sins, because I'm thinking only Jesus?
? How do we know if an action, a choice, or a ritual is from heaven's authority or of our own whim? *R

The priests, knowing they've been trapped, respond with a non-answer.

* Clearly, baptism was by heaven's authority or Jesus would not have chosen it as an example.

So, Jesus refuses to tell them under whose authority He works, and instead, tells them a parable.

On the Parable of the Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)

A father with two sons asks them both to work.
The first declines initially, but then does the work.

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Matthew 20:16 KJV (See an exploration of this verse.)

The second hastily agrees, but does nothing.
Which did the Father's will?
"The first," the priests respond.
Jesus informs the priests that the people they consider unrighteous will enter God's kingdom first, because they believed John but the priests did not.

There are two paths before you; you may take only one path. One doorway is narrow. And one door is wide. Go through the narrow door. For the wide door leads to a wide path, and the wide path is broad; the wide, broad path is easy, and the wide, broad, easy path has many, many people on it; but the wide, broad, easy, crowded path leads to death. Now then that narrow door leads to a narrow road that in turn leads to life. It is hard to find that road. Not many people manage it. Matthew 7:13-14 VOICE (Watch "Living in the Reality of the Two Paths". Sermon by Grant Agler.)
* While the Pharisees think they are doing the Father's work, they are doing work of their own authority.

On the Parable of the Tenant Farmers (Matthew 21:33-44)

Then, Jesus tells a second parable. A Landowner prepared His field and rented it out.

Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring froth grapes, and it brought forth wild [bitter] grapes. Isaiah 5:1-2 KJV [VOICE]
For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. Isaiah 18:4 KJV
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8 KJV

When He sent servants to collect payment, the tenants killed them. They even killed the next group of servants who were more numerous that the first group.

? Is the first group prophets and the second disciples?

So, the Landowner sent His own Son, believing the tenants would respect Him.

For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. Here's the point. God didn't send His Son into the world to judge it; instead, He is here to recue a world headed toward certain destruction. John 3:16-17 VOICE
Just as a lion or a young lion fiercely growls over his prey even while shepherds band together to fight him off, A lion won't be scared off by their shouts or deterred by their noise and threatening gestures. So, too, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, will descend to defend Mount Zion and its hill without fail. Isaiah 31:4 VOICE

But, they killed Him, too.
When asked what the Landowner would do to the tenants, the priests said "Kill them and choose new faithful tenants."

For you, the Eternal's Word is your happiness. It is your focus - from dusk to dawn. You are like a tree, planted by flowing, cool streams of water that never run dry. Your fruit ripens in its time; your leaves never fade or curl in the summer sun. No matter what you do, you prosper...the journey of the righteous has been charted by the Eternal. Psalm 1:2-6 VOICE
For those who focus on sin, the story is different. They are like the fallen husk of wheat, tossed by an open wind, left deserted and alone...Their road suddenly will end in death. Psalm 1:4-6 VOICE

Jesus then reminded them of another prophecy about a stone the builders rejected which became the chief cornerstone.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the very stone that holds together the entire foundation. Psalm 118:22 VOICE
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believe shall not make haste. Isaiah 28:16 KJV (See cross references.)

And told the priests that the Kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to the faithful.

? Does falling on the stone mean repentance/dependence? Matthew 21:44 (omitted in some transcripts)
* Destroy your desire to please self (repent), or be destroyed. The KJV actually says the stone will "grind him to powder".
Ideas in Matthew 21:44 also appear in these verses (NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible)

Isaiah 8:14-15 KJV: And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
Isaiah 28:16 VOICE: So the Lord, the Eternal, has this to say: Eternal One: See here, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone - a cornerstone, chosen and precious, for a firm foundation. Whoever trusts in it will never be disgraced.
Daniel 2:44 VOICE: In the days when the kings of iron and clay [likely Greek] reign, the God of heaven will set up another kingdom, a kingdom that can never be destroyed, a kingdom that will never be ruled by others. It will crush all the other kingdoms and bring them to an end. This kingdom will last forever.

On the Priests' Resolve to Imprison Jesus (Matthew 21:45-46)

Knowing Jesus was talking about them, the priests became even more determined to arrest Him.

Exploration

How do we know if a ritual is by divine authority or human whim? (Matthew 21:25)

About the Question

Jesus was more wanting to know if the Pharisees believed John came in God's authority, rather than if the act of baptism specifically came from divine authority. Other examples include:

Mosaic law confirms Moses' authority.
The cross confirms Jesus' authority.
By the fruit, you can tell. (Matthew 7:15-20)

If the Pharisees accepted John, they had to accept Jesus because John identified Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:32-36).

About Divine Authority

We're all given divine authority and are expected to use it.

Remember Elijah? He was a man, no different from us. He prayed with great intensity asking God to withhold the rain; God answered his prayers and did not allow a single drop of rain to fall for three and a half years. It did not rain until Elijah prayed again for God to open the skies, when the rain came down and the earth produced a great crop. James 5:17-18 VOICE (See also I Kings 17:1.)
I tell you this: if you have faith and do not doubt, then you will be able to wither a fig tree with one glance. You will be able to tell mountains to throw themselves into the ocean, and they will obey. Matthew 21:21-22 VOICE
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 KJV
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit...Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:15-20 KJV

We can tell if someone acts from divine authority by their fruits such as goodness, righteousness, and truth. (Ephesians 5:9-10)
How do we know if we are living in divine authority?

We repent by committing to choose His way over our own. (Proverbs 28:13; I John 1:9; 2 Chronicles 30:9)
We believe in the one He sent. (Romans 1:16; John 6:40)
We trust. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
We obey what He teaches. (Romans 2:13; I John 2:3-6; Titus 1:16)

*Thoughts: We know if someone acts by divine authority by the fruit they produce. This question is more about the person behind the ritual, which makes sense because they are the one influencing others to undergo the ritual. People were baptized because they believed John was influenced by divine authority. People followed Mosaic law because they believed Moses was influenced by divine authority. People follow Jesus's teachings because they believe He is divine authority. We decide this by the fruit they bear.

Sources:

"By What Authority?" at Signpost
"How Do You Know?" Sermon by Andrew Thomas
"Walking in Divine Authority" at World Challenge

Reflection

I wonder if Jesus riding a donkey was really a "strange parade" if people knew their prophecy. Perhaps it was, if they weren't willing to connect the dots so they could see the whole picture. I wonder if I would have been able to.

I wonder how many of the same people shouting "Hosanna!" when He enters Jerusalem, later shout "Crucify Him!". I wonder if that would have been my story, too.

I wonder if the crowd at the parade followed Jesus to the temple and watched Him overturn the tables. Were they still singing "Hosanna!" along with the children?

I wonder if anyone tried to stop Him. If I were a Jew watching as Jesus flipped over a table full of holy sacraments - good things - wouldn't I be confused?

I wonder if I would be perplexed that the Messiah was attacking the temple, a holy place, instead of the government. Wasn't the Messiah supposed to oppose the government? But, alas, what really separated the temple from the government at this point? Weren't they both weapons of power and control? (Blaine Eldredge argues that the government was tied to the temple at this time because they stored important documents of the state there. So, by taking over the temple, Jesus was essentially naming Himself an authority over the government too. - The Paradise King, p. 209-210)

I wonder if I would be thankful by Jesus' actions. Would I understand that Jesus doesn't want my "right practices"; He wants my heart? He wants me to see Him, celebrate Him, and through Him, glorify the Father.

How many "priests" (and I don't just mean pastors) do we still have today who turn their churches, their communities, their families, into a place of governance. "Priests" who spend more time insisting that people should obey specific mandates that the "priest" chose instead of encouraging their flock to listen to God directly.

Am I letting people who distance me from God speak into my life? Like Jesus purified this temple, I must purify my own by cutting off false doctrine so the harmful ideas do not take root. I must overturn any governance that keeps me from my Jesus, because I know He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I trust Him, and others witness that faith by the way I tend my garden.

Respond

Connect

God beholds us. He sees the truth of who we are, and He longs for us to see the truth of who He is so we can work together.

Reflect

Do you behold God? Do you stop and think about who He is to you? Choose a title for God that resonates with who you need Him to be for you today.

Write your own title based on scripture and personal experience, or use this Bible Facts Press list of names of God that appear in scripture.
At each "interruption" or transition in your day, take a moment to behold Him by reflecting on your chosen title and what that means in your life. Know He's beholding you, too.

Do you believe that God beholds you? Do you know that He not only sees you, but He longs to work with you? He knows exactly who you are, and He has work planned for you, specifically.

How are you answering His call to work? From the Parable of the Sons in Matthew 21:28-32, which response more closely resembles yours:

Is it initially a "No," but after reflection you answer the call - like the first son,
Or is it an immediate "Yes!", but with no follow through - like the second son?

When God comes to collect yield from the work He's assigned you, will He receive much because you've been faithful? Or will He be disappointed because you haven't invested in the work He's entrusted to you?

Do you behold others? Do you consider their response to God by looking at the fruit they bear?

When there is no fruit, or the fruit is wicked, do you denounce their power in your life?
When you perceive false ideology blocking your way to Jesus, do you demand it to crumble into the sea?
When you hear others proclaiming Jesus as their Savior and King, do you join their ranks at the temple gate by laying down your cloak of protection to beg for deliverance alongside them? Or do you keep quiet and hide in the crowd worried about what others might think?

Act

Arise; know you are beheld by Him.
Arise and behold Him.
Arise; behold others through His eyes.

In Closing

Father God, You sent Your Son so we could behold Your glory. His life, teachings, and actions reveal who You are to us. We are one in You through the power of Your Son. We are meant to tend Your gardens, to nurture the life You gave us, and the life of others you entrusted to us. Lies, shame, fear, and cunning confuse us. Teach us to see these snares clearly, and when we do, to use the power You've given us through faith to wither and remove them indefinitely so we can behold You clearly.

Are you ready for Matthew 22?

Sample these related posts:

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Matthew 7 & 8 | The Wolfe Notes

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Interested in more faith-related blogs? Then you're looking for Faith Food. At Faith Food, you'll find links to all our faith-related blogs and a short description of each.

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Matthew 21 | The Wolfe Notes