Gospel of Matthew Matthew 21:1-17 Christ’s Official Presentation in Jerusalem In this chapter Matthew begins his account of Jesus’ last week before the crucifixion. In these events leading up to the cross we see the ultimate purpose for which Christ came. J. C. Ryle describes the significance of this chapter: “Our Lord knew well that the time of His earthly ministry was drawing to a close. He knew that the hour was approaching when He must finish the mighty work He came to do, by dying for our sins upon the cross. Knowing all this, He no longer, as in time past, sought secrecy. Knowing all this, He thought it good to enter the place where He was to be delivered to death, with peculiar solemnity and publicity. It was not fitting that the Lamb of God should come to be slain on Calvary privately and silently. Before the great sacrifice for the sins of the world was offered up, it was right that every eye should be fixed on the victim. It was suitable that the crowning act of our Lord’s life should be done with as much notoriety as possible. Therefore it was that He made this public entry. Therefore it was that He attracted to himself the eyes of the wondering multitude. Therefore it was that all Jerusalem was moved. The atoning blood of the Lamb of God was about to be shed” ( Expository Thoughts on the Gospels , 1:263-264). For over three years Jesus has informally presented Himself to Israel as their Messiah and King. Now at the beginning of Passion Week, He officially presented Himself to the Jews in these four ways: 1) by His triumphal entry; 2) by His cleansing of the temple; 3) by His healing of the sick; and 4) by His accepting the praise of children in the temple. 1. Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (vs. 1-11) A. The importance of His entry This event is recorded in all four Gospels (Mk. 11:1-10; Lk. 19:29-38; Jn. 12:12-15). B. The time of His entry This day is usually referred to as Palm Sunday, just days before Jesus’ crucifixion. Bible scholars have fixed the date as Sunday, 9 Nisan (April), A. D. 30, based on the prophecy of Daniel 9:24-26. C. The manner and significance of His entry Jesus sent two of His disciples into the village to find a colt on which He would ride into Jerusalem. The only reason the disciples gave was, “The Lord has need of him.” The owner of the colt was evidently someone who believed in Jesus. He never questioned or argued with them, but willingly released the colt. The Bible tells us that this was a colt on which no man ever sat. The Jews regarded animals that had never been ridden or used in the field as especially suited for a holy purpose. Christ’s entry on the colt in this manner was significant for a couple of reasons: 1) it fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9; 2) it revealed Christ’s deity in His foreknowledge of the colt and the owner’s response and also in His control over an animal that had not been ridden before. Larry Richards comments: “In the ancient world when a king rode a horse, it symbolized war. When he rode a donkey, it symbolized peace. The people missed the symbolism. They expected Him to lead a rebellion against Rome, and when He did not, the shouts of ‘Hosanna’ quickly became the cry of ‘Crucify Him” ( Bible
Reader’s Companion , 623). Some people prepared for Christ’s entry by spreading their clothes (outer garments) on the street. This was an ancient act of homage reserved for high royalty, suggesting that they recognized His claim to be King of the Jews. D. The response to His entry The outward response of the multitude was a chorus of acclamation. “Hosanna” means “Save now,” and is a quote from Psalm 118:25. This along with the title “Son of David,” reveals that the crowd accepted Jesus’ messianic claim. The religious leaders said that the whole world had gone after Him (Jn. 12:19). However, this favored response was only emotional and superficial. Some were not sure who Jesus was (Mt. 21:10), and before the week was over, many of these same people were shouting, “Crucify Him.” 2. Christ’s cleansing of the temple (vs. 12-13) A. The reason for His cleansing Jesus had cleansed the temple three years earlier (Jn. 2:13-17), but it had once again become a den of thieves. Jesus regarded both merchants and their customers as guilty of desecrating the temple. Doves and other animals were bought and sold for sacrifice. Money-changers had a lucrative business of exchanging Roman coins and other forms of currency for money that was acceptable for temple offerings. Both animal-sellers and money-changers were using this opportunity to make excessive profits and effectively rob their patrons. Once again Jesus used scripture to authorize His actions (“it is written,” Mt. 21:13). This citation combines two Old Testament prophecies (Is. 56:7; Jer. 7:11). B. The significance of His cleansing In cleansing the temple Jesus partially fulfilled a messianic prophecy found in Malachi 3:1-3, thereby making a claim to be their Messiah. 3. Christ’s healing of the blind and lame (vs. 14) These miracles of healing also took place in the temple for all to see. These miracles are simply stated as a matter of fact, but they were amazing displays of divine power. Jesus gave convincing proof of His claim to be their Savior and Messiah. 4. Christ’s accepting of the children’s praise (vs. 15-17) MacArthur’s comment is helpful: “The crowd in Jerusalem for the Passover would have included a large number of 12 year-olds (“children” in verse 15 may be translated “boys”) preparing for bar mitzvah , who were there to celebrate their first Passover, just as Jesus Himself had done (Lk. 2:41-42)” ( MacArthur Study Bible ). The religious authorities saw Jesus’ miracles and heard the children (boys) praising him and they became very angry. In their frustration they asked Jesus, “Don’t you hear what these children are saying?” To which He replied with a question of His own: “Haven’t you read the scripture that speaks of children offering perfect praise?” Instead of disavowing their praise, Jesus honored them for it by referring to Psalm 8:2, which speaks of praise offered to God. This section about Jesus in the temple ends with an ominous tone, “and He left them, and went out of the city” (Mt. 21:17). This tragically illustrates the statement in John’s Gospel: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (Jn. 1:11).
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