Matthew 21 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' journey - his entry into Jerusalem. Picture the excitement of the crowds and the profound messages he shares amidst the throngs.
The Reading: Matthew 21
World English Bible1 When they came near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
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2 saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them, and bring them to me.
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3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
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4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
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5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
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6 The disciples went, and did just as Jesus commanded them,
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7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them.
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8 A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Others cut branches from the trees, and spread them on the road.
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9 The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
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10 When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”
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11 The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
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12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves.
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13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”
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14 The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.
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15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant,
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16 and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?’”
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17 He left them, and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there.
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18 Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry.
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19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit from you forever!” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
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20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?”
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21 Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it would be done.
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22 All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
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23 When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
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24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
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25 The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
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26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
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27 They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
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28 But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’
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29 He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went.
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30 He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’ m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go.
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31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you.
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32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.
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33 “Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household, who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug a wine press in it, built a tower, leased it out to farmers, and went into another country.
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34 When the season for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the farmers, to receive his fruit.
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35 The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
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36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they treated them the same way.
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37 But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
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38 But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and seize his inheritance.’
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39 So they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
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40 When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?”
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41 They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will give him the fruit in its season.”
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42 Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes?’
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43 “Therefore I tell you, God’s Kingdom will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation producing its fruit.
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44 He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust.”
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45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them.
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46 When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
A Royal Entrance
As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he sends two disciples to find a donkey and her colt. This act fulfills a prophecy about the coming King, who arrives humbly, not on a grand horse but on a donkey. The crowds are ecstatic, spreading their cloaks and waving palm branches, shouting 'Hosanna!' - a call for salvation.
Cleansing the Temple
Upon entering the city, Jesus heads straight for the temple. Here, he sees merchants and money changers, spilling over the sacred space with their commercial activities. In a passionate move, he overturns their tables, declaring that God's house should be a place of prayer, not a den of robbers. This bold action stirs both admiration and anger from those in authority.
Healing and Indignation
As Jesus heals the blind and lame in the temple, children shout praises, which infuriates the religious leaders. When they challenge him about their cries, Jesus responds with wisdom, quoting scripture that acknowledges how even children can offer pure praise.
The Fig Tree Lesson
The next morning, Jesus encounters a fig tree that bears no fruit. He curses it, and it withers away, shocking his disciples. Jesus uses this moment to teach them about faith and the power of prayer, emphasizing that true belief can move mountains.
Challenging Authority
In a tense exchange, the chief priests question Jesus' authority. He cleverly turns their inquiry back on them, focusing on John the Baptist's baptism, leading to their inability to answer. A parable about two sons illustrates that it's those who initially reject but later obey - like the tax collectors and prostitutes - who will enter God's Kingdom before the self-righteous leaders.
The Vineyard Parable
In another parable, Jesus recounts a master who sends servants to collect fruit from his vineyard but is met with violence. The master eventually sends his son, but the farmers kill him. This story reflects the rejection of Jesus himself and foreshadows the consequences for those who refuse to recognize him as the Messiah.
Why It Matters
Humility in Leadership
Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem reminds us that true greatness comes from serving others, not from seeking power or recognition. The humility of riding a donkey contrasts starkly with the expectations of a conquering king and challenges us to rethink our own views of leadership.
Sacred Spaces
Jesus' cleansing of the temple speaks to the importance of reverence in places of worship. It urges us to examine how we treat our own spiritual spaces, ensuring they remain centers of prayer and reflection rather than distraction.
The Power of Faith
The lesson from the fig tree emphasizes the potential of faith. When we believe wholeheartedly, we can tap into divine possibilities, encouraging prayer and trust in God's goodness in our daily lives.
Obedience over Words
Jesus' parables highlight the value of actions over mere words. It's not enough to say we will follow; we must demonstrate our faith through our choices. In a world filled with distractions, let's strive to be the ones who bear fruit by actively living out our beliefs.
If you're seeking a community or a church to explore these teachings further, find a church near you with Sancta.
Coming Up Next: Matthew 22
In the next chapter, Matthew 22, we continue our journey as Jesus faces challenging questions from the religious leaders. Don't miss how he skillfully navigates their traps and shares profound truths about love and the Kingdom of God.