Matthew 21

Matthew 21:1

WHen they drew nigh] Mark 11:1. Luke 19. 29.

mount of Olives] A little hill on the east side of Jerusalem, planted with olive-trees, Zechariah 14:4. Acts 1:12.

Matthew 21:2

over against you] Or, before you. It may be Bethphage it self, which they were entring into.

straightway ye shall finde] Ye shall not need to seek up and down for them, ye will soon see them.

a colt] A young asse; yet such a one as might be rid on, as Judg. 10. 4. and 12. 14.

Matthew 21:3

The Lord hath need] I, who am Lord of all, and have more right to them, then they have use of them. He doth not beg nor borrow, but require, as his own.

he will send them] He will let you have them. Christ would not have them against the will of the owners, but made them willing to let them go. Or, he will send them back: That is, the Lord will restore them, assoon as he hath done with them. The former agrees best with Mark 11:6.

Matthew 21:4

All this] Christ did not send for the asse to ride on into Jerusalem for ease of his journey, or to come in some new way, that the people might take the more notice of him; but that he might shew himself to be the Messias, whose coming in this manner was foretold by the prophets.

Matthew 21:5

Tell ye] Isaiah 62:11. Zechariah 9:9. John 12:15.

the daughter of Sion] The citizens of Jerusalem, which was built on mount Sion. An Hebrew phrase, often used in the Lamentations. See the like, Psalms 45:12. and Psalms 137:7.

sitting upon an asse] To shew his humility, and the peaceablenesse of his Kingdom, he rides on an asse, not on some stately war-horse.

and a colt] Either he rid on them by turns, or else upon one of them, though both be mentioned. See the like, chap. 27. 44. for it is likely Christ rid onely upon the colt. See Luke 19:30. Mark 11:7. Or, even upon a colt. So the particle is used, Mark 10:45.

of an asse] Gr. of one under the yoke. A tame asse, not a wilde one; but used to draw in the team, rather then to be ridden.

Matthew 21:6

And the disciples] Matthew 11:2.

Matthew 21:7

put on them] Either on them both, because they knew not which Christ would ride on; or else on one of them. See notes on v. 5.

their clothes] Their upper garments, which were loose.

they set him thereon] Upon their garments. So did the captains, when they proclaimed Jehu king, 2 Kings 9:13.

Matthew 21:8

spread their garments in the way] They strawed the way with them for him to ride on them as a king. We read not that ever David or Solomon rid in such state.

cut down branches] It may be they had no loose garments to spread in the way, and laid these in stead of them. All this was done in signe of joy and triumph.

Matthew 21:9

cryed, saying] Thus they used to cry in the feast of tabernacles or booths, made of boughs, Nehemiah 8:15. and, it may be, at other solemn times also.

Hosanna] Save now: or, Save we beseech thee. Taken out of Psa 118:26.

to the son of David] They desired God to preserve their new king, the son of David; and so acknowledge Christ to be their king by this solemnitie. See on Chap 9. 27.

Blessed is he, &c.] Psalms 118:27. Well be it to him that cometh in the name of the LORD, that is to say, whom the LORD hath promised, and now given us for our king.

in the highest] Blessed is he that is in the highest, Luke 2:14. Or, Save him, that he may save us, not onely here, but in heaven also, Psalms 20:9.

Matthew 21:10

And when] Mark 11:15. Luke 19. 45. John 2. 13.

he was come into Jerusalem] The noise began at the descent of the mount of Olives, and the company in likelihood encreased in the way: but at his entring the citie, the citizens take notice of it.

all the citie was moved] All the men of Jerusalem were moved, as at a strange and uncouth sight, Chap. 2. 3. Rth 1:19.

Who is this?] It is likely, many of them knew him, but he had been long absent, hving withdrawn himself because of the malice of the Pharisees, John 4. 3. and 7. 1. and now came in a stately and unusuall manner. This might make them ask who he was.

Matthew 21:11

This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth] Either some of them took him for the Messias, and some for a prophet, or else, they having solemnly acknowledged him before to be the Messias, thought it sufficient now to describe the person particularly, being demanded onely who he was: and they call him the prophet of Nazareth, in regard of his education, and the abode of his parents there, Chap. 2. 23. Luke 14. 16, 24.

Matthew 21:12

into the Temple of God] Not to the tower or castle, to shew what manner of kingdom his was, whereof some shew had been made in his harbingers, taking up the asse for him, and in the peoples carriage towards him. By the temple is here meant, that court of the temple in which the people prayed, Luke 1. 10.

he cast out] He shewed himself to be the high-priest, and Lord of the temple, by purging it. He had done this once before, John 2:15. but doth it now again, for they had polluted t again. The first purgation seems to be about the beginning of his publike ministery, and this about the latter end of it. This was done the second day. See Mark 11:12; Mark 11:15.

all them] He spared none, great nor small.

that sold and bought] Cattell for sacrifices, in likelihood.

overthrew the tables] Shewing thereby that they ought never to be set up again.

of the money-changers] Which changed forraign coin into Jewish shekels, to pay the priests; or great moneys into small, for the ease of purchasers.

that sold doves] Poor mens offerings, Levit. 5. 7, 11. and 4. 22. Luke 2:24.

Matthew 21:13

My house] Isaiah 56:7.

but ye have made it] Jerem. 7. 11. Mark 11:17. Luke 19:46.

a den of theeves] A place to exercise your traffick and fraud in, whereby, under colour of promoting Gods service there, ye seek to enrich your selves, and make my fathers house like such a den or cave, where theeves lie in wait to spoil men, as they passe, and make it a receptacle for them, and their stoln goods, Hosea 6:9.

Matthew 21:14

and he healed them] To shew his divine power in his temple, and to stop the mouthes of the Pharisees, if they should question him for purging the temple. This might be done the first day, for Mark mentions his going into the temple then, but nothing that he did, Mark 11:11.

Matthew 21:15

saw the wonderfull things] They take no notice of them, though they saw them, but blame him for suffering the children to praise him.

Matthew 21:16

Hearest thou what these say] As if they would say, Their blasphemy is so great, that thou wouldst rebuke them, if thou didst observe what they say.

have ye never read] See on Chap. 12. 5.

Out of the mouth] Psalms 8:2.

thou hast] These children do not blaspheme, but God hath stirred them up to acknowledge me to be the Messias to his glory.

perfected] In the Psalm it is, grounded; which is all one in effect, for that which is perfected, is stable and sure.

Matthew 21:17

went out of the citie] He would not stay there by night, till the night in which he was betrayed: Or, he went away to avoid all suspicion of affecting a temporall kingdom.

to Bethany] A little village neer Jerusalem, John 11:18. where he might enjoy the societie of Mary and Martha, and Lazarus, whom he had newly raised from the dead.

Matthew 21:18

he hungred] Shewing thereby, that he was subject to our corporall infirmities; And also, that he might have occasion to work the ensuing miracle. See Chap. 4. 2.

Matthew 21:19

And when he saw] Mark 11:13.

Let no fruit grow on thee] Some conceive that our Saviour intended to shew hereby the destruction of Jerusalem, because they brought forth nothing but leaves of ceremonies. Others think it had no signification, but was onely an occasion of the ensuing exhortation, Verse 21.

presently the fig-tree withered] It began to wither presently, but it was not quite withered till toward the next morning. See Mark 11:20.

Matthew 21:21

if ye have faith, &c.] See on Chap. 17. 20.

and doubt not] The Greek word signifieth, a stickling, or wavering of minde, so that we cannot tell which way to take.

Matthew 21:22

all things] Agreeable to Gods well, 1 John 5. 14. Mark 11:24.

beleeving] Prayers then without faith are fruitlesse.

Matthew 21:23

And when he was come] Mark 11:27. Luke 20 1.

By what authoritie] A captious question. If he should have said, By divine authoritie, they would have accused him of blasphemy. By humane authoritie, he could not say, for they were the rulers that had the care of the temple. If he should say, Without authority, they would have accused him of sedition.

Matthew 21:24

I also will ask you one thing] Christ asks them the like entangling question, as appears, verse 25, 26. So he takes the subtill in their subtilty, 1 Corinthians 3:19.

Matthew 21:25

The baptism of John] John’s preaching is by a figure called Baptism, because he preached the baptism of repentance, Mark 1:4.

they reasoned with themselves] They beat their heads about it, and mused, or laid their heads together.

From heaven] From God, as appears by the opposition. So Daniel 4:28. Luke 15:18; Luke 15:21.

Matthew 21:26

we fear the people] Lest they should stone us, Luke 20. 6.

for all hold John as a prophet] Chap. 14. 5.

Matthew 21:27

We cannot tell] They could, but durst not. Se verse 25, 26.

Matthew 21:28

But what think you] He thinks it not enough to stop their mouth, but by a parable he makes them to condemn themselves, as Nathan did David, 2 Sam. 12.

A certain man had two sons] These are expounded to be th Publicans and Pharisees, Verse 31, 32.

Matthew 21:29

afterward he repented] He thought seriously of the matter, and then went about the work he formerly had refused.

Matthew 21:31

The first] Hereby they confesse by just consequence, That the repenting. Publicans were better then themselves with all their good works in outward shew.

go into the kingdom of God before you] They make haste to the kingdom of God, and ye are slack: so that at leastwise ye should have followed their example. Mark then, that this word go before, is improperly taken in this place, where no man followeth. They shall come to heaven, rather then you: Or, They go before you as guides, and shew you the way to heaven, which you, though you see in them, refuse to follow.

Matthew 21:32

John came unto you] Chap. 3. 8.

in the way of righteousnesse] Living uprightly, being of a good and honest conversation, or, perswading you to do so; as the Hebrews use this word way, for life and manners, Psalms 119:1.

repented not] Of your ill deeds, or of your not beleeving John.

Matthew 21:33

Hear another parable] In the former parable he had shewed them their neglect of Johns doctrine; in this he sets forth their cruelty, shortly to be exercised on himself, and ushers it in by their fathers crueltie to the prophets.

which planted a vineyard] Isaiah 5:1. Jeremiah 2:21. Mark 12:1. Luke 20:9. God planted the Jewish church as his vineyard, Psal. 80. 9, &c.

hedged it] Herein is expressed Gods care of the safetie and prosperitie of it, Psalms 35:27.

digged a wine presse] Furnished it with all things needfull.

built a tower] Made the place strong: for a tower is the rength of a wall.

let it out to husbandmen] To the priests.

went into a far countrey] Left it wholly to their care, in outward appearance, as if he had been absent.

Matthew 21:34

sent his servants] The prophets, whom the Jews slew.

Matthew 21:36

more then the first] They had more prophets a little before the captivitie, then formerly, 1 Samuel 3:1. with Isaiah 1:1. Hosea 1:1.

Matthew 21:37

his son] Christ himself, who here foretels his own death.

Matthew 21:38

come, let us kill him] Chap. 26. 3. John 11. 53. Gen. 37. 19, 20.

let us seize on his inheritance] Rule the church according to our own will still, as we have done hitherto.

Matthew 21:39

cast him out of the vineyard] Delivered him to the Romans to be condemned, and slew him without the citie, Hebrews 13:12.

Matthew 21:40

what will he do] He makes them judges, because he spake the parable against them, and meant to condemn them by their own testimonie, as v. 31.

Matthew 21:41

He will miserably destroy] He will consume those wicked tenants, and provide him better.

Matthew 21:42

Did ye never read] Psalms 118:22. Acts 4:11. See on chap. 12. 3.

which the builders rejected] Those whom he compared to husbandmen before, now he compares to builders.

the head of the corner] The chief stone in the corner is called The head of the corner, which beareth up the couplings or joynts of the whole building, Isaiah 28:16. for which purpose, some stone of principall strength and price is usually made choice of. So is Christ to the Church, though refused by the priests, Ephesians 2:22.

this is the Lords doing] This thing is the Lords doing, to prefer Christ thus rejected.

Matthew 21:43

the fruits thereof] Every kingdom hath its own severall fruits. The fruits of Gods Kingdom are the fruits of the spirit, not of the flesh, Galatians 5:22. Eph. 5. 9. these are fruits not meet for repentance onely, as Luke 3. 8. but beseeming Gods Kingdom also, Romans 6:22.

Matthew 21:44

whosoever shall fall on this stone] Isa. 8. 14, 15. Romans 9:33. 1 Pet. 2. 7. Or, stumble at it.

shall be broken] He shall not hurt it, but himself, as an earthen pot falling on a great stone.

it will grinde him to powder] As every one that offends Christ, shall hurt himself; so every one that Christ is angry withall, shall be utterly destroyed: he shall be, as it were, made small, like chaff, and broken in little pieces, and blown clean away, Daniel 2:44.

Matthew 21:45

his parables] Those two mentioned before, verse 28, 33.

Matthew 21:46

they feared the multitude] Evil magistrates are kept, sometimes, from using cruelty, for fear of their inferiours: for, their breaking Gods law, gives example to the people to break theirs: they cast off Gods power, and the people cast off theirs. This is just with God, though the people sin in so doing.

they took him for a prophet] The people deservedly esteemed him as a prophet, whom the priests unjustly and impiously received as no prophet, but an impostour, chap. 12. 24. Mark 3:22.