Matthew 21 Esv (2024)

FAQs

What is the main point of Matthew 21? ›

Matthew 21 finds Jesus arriving near Jerusalem after leaving Jericho in the previous chapter. His triumphal entry is accomplished riding a donkey, and to raucous praise, fulfilling a prophecy about the Messiah.

The fact that the colt is also tied shows he is at least old enough to wander from his mother. The fact that the colt has not yet been ridden connects to the idea of sacrifice. In that era, only "unused" animals were used for such sacrifices. Jesus will be riding on an animal which is symbolically "untouched."

In this parable, Jesus reproved those who considered themselves virtuous; whereas those whom they considered sinners, such as the tax collectors and prostitutes, were accepting the message of John the Baptist and repenting. The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican has a similar theme.

Context Summary

Matthew 21:1–11 follows Jesus on His final, "triumphal" entry into Jerusalem. He rides on a donkey for the final mile or so to intentionally fulfill a prophecy from Zechariah about the king arriving in Jerusalem. The crowds praise Him as the Messiah, lining His path with branches and their cloaks.

Matthew 21:23-27

The chief priests confront Jesus in the temple and interrogate Him about His authority. They publicly ask Him a framing question hoping to entrap Him. Jesus promises to answer their question if they will answer His alternatively framed question about John the Baptist's authority.

Matthew 21:18–22 describes a morning when Jesus, being hungry, discovers no figs on a leafy fig tree. He curses the tree never to bear fruit again, and the tree withers at once. The disciples notice the withered tree and ask Jesus how He did it.

Jesus' riding a donkey on his triumphant entry to Jerusalem is a model of humility and selflessness. Donkeys are symbols of humbleness, and by choosing one instead of a horse, Jesus showed his humility. This fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy about the coming of a righteous king on a donkey.

The Definition of "Colt"

Strictly speaking, a colt is an uncastrated (intact) male horse, pony, donkey, or mule younger than four years of age. The word is pronounced to rhyme with "bolt." The term's proper usage takes into account the fact that the baby horse is a male.

There is specific terminology used to describe horses depending on their age: Foal: A horse of either sex less than one year old. Yearling: A horse of either sex that is between one and two years old. Colt: A male horse under the age of four.

Jesus, comparing the religious leaders to the second son, says that even the tax collectors and prostitutes who believed John the Baptist and repented will enter the kingdom of God before these important and powerful religious men.

What does Matthew 21 30 mean? ›

Jesus is telling a parable to illustrate a powerful and devastating point to some of Israel's religious leaders (Matthew 21:28–29). In context, this is a direct criticism of their hypocritical attacks on Jesus, while they themselves ignore the will of God (Matthew 21:23–27).

The parable of the two sons, in Matthew 21:28-31, is about the importance of repentance. It says that just as the repentant son found favour, so will publicans and harlots enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus gives the events a prophetic interpretation through a parable: a man planted a fig tree expecting it to bear fruit, but despite his visits it remained barren; the owner's patience wore thin, but the gardener pleaded for a little more time; the owner agrees, but the question of whether the tree would bear fruit, ...

Matthew 21:12–13 Emphasizes Glorifying God Through Actions

God, help us, as temples of Your holy spirit, to seek after You. Make us men, women of prayer who are long with You in prayer, who commune with You in prayer. God, keep us from being a prayer-less people.

Christ specifically tells the disciples they will receive anything they ask—but only if they have faith. This means trust in God and His power to do what He wants to do. It also means an alignment with the will of God—it does not mean using the Creator as a vending machine.

Jesus teaches us that with unshakeable faith and fervent prayer, all things are possible (Matthew 21:21-22). Jesus wants us to have real, fruit-bearing faith in Him, not to simply go through the motions. Reflect: Are you wholeheartedly seeking to please God?

Jesus is using the parable of a divided kingdom and a divided house to show that if He is using Satan's power to cast out demons, Satan's kingdom won't survive. Satan would gain no strategic value by allowing Jesus to use Satan's authority to attack his own work.

The Sadducees and Pharisees have understood that Jesus was speaking against them. They desire to arrest Him for what He said. But they do not do so at this time, because they are afraid of how the many people who believe Jesus is a prophet will respond if they tried to seize Him.

What's the big idea? Matthew wrote his account of Jesus's ministry to show that Jesus was and is indeed the King, Israel's long-awaited Messiah. He reflected this concern in his opening line, “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).