Matthew 21

Matthew 21:1

JESUS HUMBLY HIMSELF AS KING V. 1-11

1. “And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem,” (kai hote engisan eis lerosoluma) “And when they came near unto Jerusalem,” Jesus, His disciples, and a multitude that went before and followed Him as He went up to the annual feast of the Passover.
2. “And were come to Bethphage,” (kai etlhon eis Bethphage) “And came into Bethphage,” a small village some one mile east of Jerusalem. Bethphage means “house of unripe figs;” Today, in addition to many olive trees the area is sprinkled with fig trees still, Mark 11:1.
3. “Unto the Mount of Olives,” (eis to oros ton elaion) “To the Mount of Olives,” named because of the covering of olive trees on the mountain. It is a mountain range east of Jerusalem, separated from the city by the valley of Jehoshaphat. It Isaiah 2,397 feet above sea level at the highest point.
4. “Then sent Jesus two disciples,” (tote lesous apesteilen duo methetas) “Then, at that point, Jesus sent two disciples,” from Bethphage, no trace of which is known today. But it is described as “engisan”; (near to) Jerusalem, as one comes into Jerusalem, from the direction of Jericho, Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29. It was from this point, the Bethphage area, He chose and sent two disciples for His transportation for entrance into Jerusalem proper.

Matthew 21:2

1. “Saying unto then, Go into the village over against you,” (legon autois pareuesthe eis ten katenanti humou), “Repeatedly or clearly saying to them, you all (two) go into the village opposite you,” thought to be Bethany, believed to be adjoining Bethphage to the west, on toward Jerusalem which they were approaching.

2. “And straightway ye shall find an ass tied,” (kai euthus heuresete onon dedemenen) “And you will immediately find an ass that has been tied,” standing tied, Luke 19:30. The ass was a symbol of peace, in contrast with the horse, which had been brought into Israel by Solomon from Egypt, and was a symbol of war. The Judges of Israel rode upon asses.

3. “And a colt with her:” (kai polon met’ autes) “And a colt (will be),with her,” Mark 11:2. The Jewish kings were forbidden of the Lord to multiply horses, Deuteronomy 17:16. the Lord to multiply horses, Deuteronomy 17:16.

4. “Loose them, and bring them unto me.” (lusantes agage moi) “Loose (them both) and lead them to me.” Even without asking the owner. Even in going up to battle Israel was to use neither horses nor chariots, but go up against enemies, after a chap lai n-priest’s direct message to them from the Lord, Deuteronomy 20:1-4. Every Jew, believing Zechariah 9:9, expected the Messiah to enter Jerusalem riding on an ass.

Matthew 21:3

1. “And if any man say ought unto you,” (kai eai ean tis humin eipe ti) “And if anyone should say anything,” should raise any question about what you are doing. And their actions were expected to be questioned or challenged by someone, as they were, Matthew 11:5-6.
2. “Ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them;” (ereite hoti ho kurios auton chreian echei) “You shall say, the Lord has a need of them;” One might infer that the need was physical; the need was for a ride because of the long, tedious, and weary ascent up to Jerusalem. But the greater need was to fulfill prophecy, Matthew 21:4; and really they belonged to Him, Psalms 24:1.
3. “And straightway he will send them.” (euthus de apostelei autous) “Then immediately he will send them,” Mark 11:3, for my need, or for me to use, without hesitation or delay. When the Lord has need of us, do we straightway say, “Here am I,” Isaiah 6:8?

Matthew 21:4

1. “All this was done,” (touto de gegonen) “Now this (thing) happened or occurred,” Luke 19:32-34.
2. “That it might be fulfilled,” (hina pletothe) “In order that (the thing) might be fulfilled,” come to pass, attesting the truthfulness of Bible prophecy, Psalms 119:160.
3. “Which was spoken by the prophet, saying,” (to hrethen dia tou prophetou legontos) “The thing spoken through the prophet, saying,” prophesying as follows: Zechariah 9:9.

Matthew 21:5

1. “Tell ye the daughter of Sion,” (eipate te thugatri Sion) “You all tell the daughter of Zion,” tell Jerusalem, tell the chosen people of God who are there, make it clear in word and in symbol of peace, Isaiah 62:11-12.
2. “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee,” (edou ho basileus sou erchetai soi) “Behold the king who comes to you, of His own accord and choice,” in harmony with, and fulfilling the Scriptures.
3. “Meek, and sitting upon an ass,” (praus kai epibebekos epi onon) “Meek, and having mounted (upon) or riding upon an ass,” a symbol of peace, not of war, Zechariah 9:9.
4. “And a colt the foal of an ass.” (kai eip popon huion hupozugiou) “And upon a colt (a son, foal, or heir) of an ass.” He became a donkey for man in burden bearing, at His first coming, that the redeemed and His saints might ride white horses with Him to victory, when He comes to put down all evil, a second time, Revelation 19:11-16.

Matthew 21:6

1. “And the disciples went,” (proseuthentes de hoi mathetai) “Then the (two) disciples went out,” from that place, as they were instructed, Matthew 21:1. They obeyed without questioning the word of the Lord, John 14:15; John 15:14; James 1:22.
2. “And did as Jesus commanded them,” (kai poiesantes kathos suetaksen autois ho lesous) “And they did what Jesus had directed them;” They found things exactly as Jesus had described they would be, Mark 11:4-6.

Matthew 21:7

1. “And brought the ass, and the colt,” (egagon ten onon kai ton polon) “That is, they brought (led) the ass and the colt,” with no one detaining or preventing them, Mark 11:7; Luke 19:35. It is not clear whether Jesus rode both the ass and the colt alternately, or whether He rode upon the clothes on the colt only.
2. “And put on them their clothes,” (kai epethekan epano auton ta himatia) “And they put on them their garments,” their loose, large garments, Mark 11:7; Luke 19:35.
3. “And they set him thereon.” (kai epekathisen epono auton) “And he sat upon them,” upon the ass and the colt, Mark 11:7; Luke 19:35; This is that foretold prophecy of Zec 9:9. Jesus sat on the garments, upon the colt, and entered, went up into Jerusalem as a king of peace, the Prince of Peace, John 12:14-16.

Matthew 21:8

1. “And a very great multitude,” (ho de pleisos ochlos) “Then a very large crowd,” or a large percent of the multitude that went before Him and followed Him as He went up to Jerusalem on the back of the colt, Luke 19:36-37.
2. “Spread their garments in the way;” (estrosan heauton ta himatia en te hodo) “Strewed their garments in the road-way,” Mark 11:8. This was a sign of honor, shown to royal and noble people in the East, 2 Kings 9:11-13; Luke 19:37.
3. “Others cut down branches from the trees,” (alloi de ekopton kladous apo ton dendron) “Then others (of the crowd) cut branches or limbs from the trees,” Mark 11:8; They cut branches specially from the palm tree, and cast them as an emblem of victory in the way, John 12:12-13.
4. “And strewed them in the way.” (kai estromnum en te hodo) “And they strewed them in the road-way,” Mark 11:8, the way Jesus was going up into Jerusalem, from the area of Bethany; It was a joyous and triumphant procession. To the unbelieving world He was a Ghetto King from Nazareth, from which no good thing could come, John 1:46; But to believers He was the Savior, Redeemer, and King of glory, triumphant, 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 7:9.

Matthew 21:9

1. “And the multitudes that went before,” (hoi de ochloi proagontes auton) “And crowds going on before him,” who met Him coming out from Jerusalem when they heard that Jesus was coming into the city, John 12:12.
2. “And that followed, cried, saying,” (kai hoi akolouthountes ekrazon legontes) “And those following him cried out repeatedly,” many of these had followed Him down from His Galileean ministry, Mark 11:9.
3. “Hosanna to the son of David:” (Hosanna to eis David) “Hosanna to the son or heir of David,” meaning the Messiah of David’s lineage; The term Hosanna means “0 Save” or “0, Deliver,” Psalms 118:25-26.
4. “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord;” (eulogemenos ho erchomenos en onomati kuriou) “Blessed is (exists) the one who is coming, in the name of the Lord,” by the mandate of the Lord of glory, John 3:17. The mood of the festive passover was upon the crowd, Luke 19:38; John 12:13.
5. “Hosanna in the highest” (Hosanna en tois hupsistois) “Hosanna in the highest,” in the highest places of honor and dignity. “0 Save!” as a cry, was an holy hurrah! Yet only a few hours passed before many of this same carnal, fickle, emotionally charged crowd was crying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him,” Luke 23:21; John 19:6; John 19:15.

Matthew 21:10

1. “And when he was come into Jerusalem,” (kai eiselthontos autou eis lerosoluma) “And as he entered into Jerusalem,” the city of Jerusalem proper, a city that was frozen stiff with cold formalism and ceremonialism.
2. “All the city was moved, saying,” (eseisthe pasa he polis legousa) “All the city was shaken (shaken up emotionally, excitedly) repeatedly saying,” inquiring one of another. This reception of Jesus hit them like a tornado, a cyclone, an hurricane, or an earthquake.
3. “Who is this?” (tis estin houtos) “Who is this one?” this personage of such renoun, such repute? Who stirs such deep emotions. Some of the city were moved favorably and some unfavorably, John 12:19.

Matthew 21:11

1. “And the multitude said,” (hoi de ocholi elegon) “Then the crowds said,” with evident pride and gladness, both the multitude that went before and they that had followed Him, Matthew 21:9, bear witness saying,
2. “This is Jesus the prophet,” (houtos estin ho prophetes lesous) “This one is Jesus the prophet,” of whom Moses prophesied, Deuteronomy 18:15-18.
3. “Of Nazareth of Galilee.” (The one who is from Nazareth of Galilee," who came to fulfill prophecy, Matthew 2:23.

Matthew 21:12

A SECOND TIME JESUS THE TEMPLE V. 12-17

1. “And Jesus went into the temple of God,” (kai eislethen lesous eis te heiron) “And Jesus entered the temple area,” glanced around and left, because it was late in the afternoon, Mark 11:11. He didn’t like what He saw and returned the next day for what follows,
2. “And cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple,” (kai eksebalen pantas tous polountas kai agorazontas en to hiero) “And he cast out all those who were buying and selling (commercially merchandising) in the temple area,” Mark 11:15.
3. “And overthrow the tables of the moneychangers,” (kai tas trapezas ton kollubiston katestrepsen) “And he overturned (upset, or capsized) the tables of the moneychangers,” Mark 11:15; Jews from abroad were exchanging Roman coins for the ½ shekel to pay their temple tax, Matthew 17:24. It appears that the entire temple area had become more a place of commercial gain, economic shopping convenience, and an entertainment center, than a place of Sanctified religious worship and service, John 2:13-17.
4. “And the seats of them that sold doves,” (kai tas kathedras ton polounton tas peristeras) “And the seats of those selling the doves in the temple area,” Mark 11:15; The doves were sold for sacrifices or offerings, Leviticus 5:7; Leviticus 12:6-8.

Matthew 21:13

1. “And said unto them, It is written,” (kai legei autois gegraptai) “And he said directly to them, It has been written,” inscribed in your holy book, Isaiah 56:7.
2. “My house shall be called the house of prayer;” (ho oikos mou oikos proseuches klethesetai) “My house shall be called an house of prayer,” Mark 11:17; not my Market or my commercial center. It had been sanctified as an holy place, dedicated to God for spiritual things, not for a place of material gain.
3. “But ye have made it a den of thieves.” (humes de auton poieite spelaion leston) “Yet you all are making it a den or habitat and commercial center of robbers,” Mark 11:17, thieves, thugs, etc. They were not even honest as tradesmen, but exorbitant in their charges and unjust in money changing, Jeremiah 7:11; Malachi 3:8.

Matthew 21:14

1. “And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple;” (kai proselthon auto tuphloi kai choloi en to hiero) “And there approached him in the temple area blind and lame ones,” with physical ills or debilities. They came to the area to beg for charity, Acts 3:1; Acts 14:8; John 9:8.
2. “And he healed them.” (kai etherapeusen autous) “And he healed them,” all those that were brought there, Luke 14:21; As Peter and Joh did the lame man, at the Gate Beautiful, Acts 3:1-10; John 20:30-31. He thus symbolized the higher healing of the soul that all spiritually blinded and lame need.

Matthew 21:15

1. “And when the chief priests and the scribes saw,” (idontes de hoi archiereis kai hoi grammateis) “Then the chief or administrative priests and scribes perceiving, beholding, or realizing,” what He had done, the influence He had generated.

2. “The wonderful things that he did,” (ta thaumasia ha epoiesen) “The marvels (of miracles) which he did,” right there in their presence. Which involved the healings and cures He wrought, the cleansing of the temple, and the motivation He had given His followers, to their envy,

3. “And the children crying in the temple, and saying,” (kai tous paidas tous krazontas en to hiero kai legontas) “And the children crying out in the temple area, and repeatedly saying,” what they had heard the pilgrims saying as they entered the city with Jesus; Not the traders.

4. “Hosanna to the son of David;” (Hosanna to huio David) “Hosanna to the heir of David,” to the Messiah; Somebody had to be the Messiah! Their own law and prophets taught them so why not Jesus? Matthew 21:9.

5. “They were sore displeased,” (eganaktesan) “They were emotionally incensed,” with jealousy and fear. They as priests and scribes were evidently getting a shake-down, or a kick-back on the commercialism they were condoning, permitting, and even aiding and abetting, Malachi 3:8; John 2:15; What is more they went about to kill Him immediately, Mark 11:18.

Matthew 21:16

1. “And said unto him,” (kai eipen auto) “And they said to him,” directly to Jesus; In frustration and pious insincerity they said:
2. “Hearest thou what these say?” (akoueis ti autoi legousin) “Do you hear, understand, or realize what these are repeatedly saying?” Surely He did; He wasn’t deaf. Their challenge was to make certain that He understood that they were displeased with His presence.
3. “And Jesus saith unto them, Yea;” (ho de lesous legei autois nai) “Then Jesus replied to them, certainly.” Don’t you all? Do you all really not comprehend what is being said by these children, right out of the Book of God that you claim to believe? Psalms 118:26.
4. “Have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings,” (oudepote anegnote hoti ek stomatos nepion kai thelazonton) “Did you all (as priests and scribes) never even read that out of the mouth of even infants and suckling ones,” even five years of age and under. They should have both read and practiced it.
5. “Thou hast perfected praise?” (katertiso ainon) “Thou (you) did prepare praise?” Psalms 8:2.

Matthew 21:17

1. “And he left them, and went,” (kai katalipon autous ekselthen) “And leaving them there he went out,” out of the temple area and,
2. “Out of the city into Bethany;” (ekso tes poleos eis Bethanian) “Outside the city (also) into Bethany,” which means “house of dates,” near two miles east of the temple area of Jerusalem. Matthew 26:6-13 indicates He visited the home of Simon the Leper while there, Mark 14:3.
3. “And he lodged there.” (kai eulisthe ekei) “And he lodged out there,” spent the night out there east of the city, near the east end of the Mount of Olives, perhaps in the home of Simon the leper or Mary, Martha and Lazarus; Luke 21:37; John 11:1-3. There He spent each night of the Passion Week, until the night of His betrayal. What a blessed guest the humble village of Bethany entertained these final nights of His earthly life, while Jerusalem housed the plotting priestly conspirators of the life of Jesus Christ, Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-6; Hebrews 13:2.

Matthew 21:18

CURSING OF THE BARREN FIG TREE V. 18-22

1. “Now in the morning,” (proi de) “Then early in the morning,” on the next morning before sunrise, Mark 11:12.
2. “As he returned into the city,” (epanagagon eis ten polin) “As he was going up into the city of Jerusalem,” or returning into Jerusalem where He had spent the previous day cleansing the temple and healing the lame and blind, Matthew 21:14.
3. “He hungered.” (epeinasen) “He hungered,” or He was hungry, Mark 11:12 b. He was human enough to hunger Himself, yet Divine enough to perform miracles and feed multiplied thousands! What Humility! Yet, what Deity! 2 Corinthians 8:9; John 6:51-52; Hebrews 4:15-16.

Matthew 21:19

1. “And when he saw a fig tree in the way,” (kai idon suken mian epi tes hodou) “And seeing a certain fig tree on or along the way (the roadside),” a solitary fig tree, one alone.
2. “He came to it, and found nothing thereon,” (elthen ep auten kai oudon heuren en aute) “He went up to it and found nothing (in the way of fruit), nothing to eat in it,” or upon it. This was a symbol of Israel’s barrenness when Jesus came to her for fruit; Israel was that barren fig tree.
3. “But leaves only,” (ei me phulla monon) “Except leaves only,” an outward show of forms of empty piety and spiritless worship, propagated by evil priests and elders, John 1:11-12.
4. “And said unto it,” (kai legei aute) “And he said directly to it,” aloud, as He later wailed over Jerusalem, for her rejection of Him, Matthew 23:37-39.
5. “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth for ever.” (ou meketi ek sou karpos genetai) “Fruit may never be out or from you,” (eis ton aiona) “Even forever,” into the ages. This one miracle of judgment stands among many miracles of blessings, Mark 11:14.
6. “And presently the fig tree withered away.” (kai ekeranthe parachrema he suke) “And the fig tree was instantly dried up,” Mark 11:20-21, in a moment, demonstrating the miraculous power of Jesus over nature, John 20:30-31.

Matthew 21:20

1. “And when the disciples saw it,” (kai idontes hoi mathetai) “And the disciples upon seeing it,” perceiving how it instantly withered, Matthew 21:19.
2. “They marvelled, saying,” (ethaumasan letontes) “They marveled repeatedly saying,” one to another, acknowledging the magnitude of the judgment miracle Jesus had just performed, John 3:2.
3. “How soon is the fig tree withered away!” (pos parachrema ekseranthe he suke) “Did you see how instantly the fig tree was withered?” Or how soon it came to be withered? All the way to the ground, Mark 11:20-21. This observation was made by Peter the following morning.

Matthew 21:21

1. “Jesus answered and said unto them,” (apokritheis de ho lesous eipen autois) “Then Jesus answering said to them,” to the marveling or astounded disciples, Matthew 21:20.
2. “Verily I say unto you,” (amen lego humin) “I truly tell you all;” The “truly” (Gk. amen) is equal to the Hebrew “amen” and is used as a term of incontestable affirmation or certainty to His church disciples.
3. “If ye have faith, and doubt not,” lean echete pistin kai me diakrithete) “If you all have or hold faith and do not (at all) doubt,” have undoubting or unwavering faith, Matthew 17:20; Mark 11:23.
4. “Ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree,” (ou monon to tes sukes poiesete) “You will not only do the kind of things that happened to the fig tree,” perform miracles in demonstration with power over nature, John 14:12.
5. “But also if ye shall say unto this mountain,” (alla kan to orei touto, eipete) “But also, if you all shall say to this mountain,” in earnest prayer, with the spiritual gifts that I give and leave with you, John 14:11-14.
6. “Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea;” (artheti kai bletheti eis ten thalassan) “you be taken and cast or tossed into the sea,” as if blown away by a sudden, dynamic volcanic eruption, Mark 16:19-20.
7. “It shall be done.” (genesetai) “It will come to be,” or be done that way; Luke 17:5-6. Our Lord certified to His church that they should do “greater works,” after He had gone away, and they had been empowered, than He had done before them, John 14:12.

Matthew 21:22

1. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask,” (kai panta hosa an aitesete) “And all things whatever you all may ask,” in the purview of my word and will, in my name, in harmony with what I have mandated, charged, or commissioned you all to do, Matthew 7:7-11; John 15:7.
2. “In prayer, believing,” (en te proseuche pisteuohtes) “In the believing kind of prayer,” in His name, by His authority, John 14:14; James 4:3; James 4:5; James 4:16.
3. “Ye shall receive.” (lempsesthe) “You all shall receive it,” in the right measure, at the right time, and in harmony with truth, James 1:6; 1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:14-15.

Matthew 21:23

WHEN JESUS’ WAS , V. 23-27

1. “And when he was come into the temple,” (kai elthontos autou eis to hieron) “And as he came into the temple,” perhaps, and apparently for His last time in His earthly ministry. Mark 11:27 indicates that He was approached and harangued even before He began teaching.
2. “The chief priests and the elders of the people,” (hoi archiereis kai hou presbuteroi tou laou) “The chief (or administrative) priests and the elders of the people,” who had already determined to put Him to death, but were attempting to create an occasion to incite blame from Him, Matthew 20:18; Mark 11:18.
3. “Came unto him as he was teaching,” (proselthon auto didaskonti) “Approached him while he taught,” Luke 20:1, harassing and hounding Him, that they might incite Him to say or do something that would justify them, in the eyes of the crowd, to take and arrest Him, Matthew 21:45-46; Luke 19:47-48.
4. “And said, By what authority doest thou these things?” (legontes en poia eksousia touta poieis) “Interruptedly saying, By what authority (or administrative right) are you doing these things?” The miracles you did here yesterday and the teaching you are doing today? Mark 11:28. Did they really want to know the source of His authority? Luke 20:2.
5. “And who gave thee this authority” (kai tis soi edoken ten eksousian touten), “And who doled out to you, gave over to you, this kind of authority?” It was the same approach they took toward the apostles later, Acts 4:7; Acts 4:10. The answer was that The Father who sent Him owned the temple and He was teaching in His own temple. The Scribes, Chief priests, and elders did not own or even honor it, See? John 3:35; John 5:22; John 5:43; John 8:29; Matthew 28:18-20.

Matthew 21:24

1. “And Jesus answered and said unto them,” (apokritheis de ho lesous eipen eutois) “Then replying or responding, Jesus said to them,” the chief priests and the harassing elders, and scribes in the temple who questioned His authority and interrupted His teaching and preaching, Matthew 21:23; Luke 20:1.
2. “I also will ask you one thing,” (hom ean eipete moi) “Which if you all will tell to me the answer,” simple and plain, so that I and those who hear may understand, Ephesians 5:17.
3. “ I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things." (kago humin ero en poia eksousia tauta polo) “I will also tell you all by what source of administrative authority I do these things,” the kind of things that distress you all, Mark 11:29; Luke 20:3. Actually they had entrapped themselves with their own conceited question, a moronic question, in relation to the wisdom and knowledge of the Son of God, 1 Corinthians 1:25; 1 Corinthians 3:18-20. They dug a hole, then fell in it themselves, Psalms 7:15. Jesus often met questions by posing questions that clarified issues raised by the questions asked Him, or some idea He was setting forth, as Paul also did, 1 Corinthians 3:19; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; and as James did, James 4:1-6.

Matthew 21:25

1. “The baptism of Joh, whence was it?” (to baptisma to loannou pothen en) “The baptism of Joh, from what source of authority was it?” Just give your considered opinion or judgement, and I will answer your question regarding the source of my authority, fair enough?
2. “From heaven, or of men?” (eks ouranou e eks anthropou) “Out of and from heaven’s authority, or out of and from human authority only?” The answer is plain, John 4:6; John 4:32-34; Matthew 3:1-3; John 1:19-30 gives the plain answer.
3. “And they reasoned with themselves, saying,” (hoi de dielogizonto en heautois legontes) “Then they reasoned (in council aside) among themselves, saying,” repeatedly trying to get together on the issue of their own entrapment, after trying to dig a pit to bury Jesus, Psalms 7:15; To question the word and wisdom of the Lord is self-destructive.
4. “If we shall say, From heaven, he will say unto us,” (ean eipomen eks ouranou erei hemin) “if we reply, from heaven, he will certainly reply,” Mark 11:31. Such a confession would require that they logically believe in and confess Him whom Joh preached to be the Lamb of God, John 1:29.
5. “Why did ye not then believe him?” (dia ti ouk episteusate auto) “On account of what, or for what reason then did you all not believe him?” and receive Him as the Messiah? Luke 20:5. How impossible it is to cover up any and all kinds of sin, even the sin of doubt, skepticism, and unbelief, John 3:18; John 8:24; Romans 2:1-4.

Matthew 21:26

1. “But If we shall say, Of men;” (ean de eipomen eks anthropon phoboumetha ton ochlon) “Then if we say, from men, we have fear (of) the crowd,” which brings a snare, Proverbs 29:25.
2. “We fear the people;” (phoboumetha ton ochlon) “We fear the crowd,” those who followed and went before him in his ministry preaching Jesus in the triumphal entry, Matthew 21:8-9.
3. “For all hold Joh as a prophet.” (pantes gar hos peotheten echausin ton loannen) “Because all hold Joh in esteem as a prophet.” Luke 20:6.

Matthew 21:27

1. “And they answered Jesus, and said,” (kai apokithentes to lesou eipan) “And upon answering Jesus,” or when they did finally answer him, “they replied,” with the composite worldly wisdom of fools, as scribes, elders, and chief priests, Matthew 21:23; Mark 11:27.
2. “We cannot tell.” (ouk oidamen) “We do not really know,” or know what to say about that man and about your question. But they did. They were cowards. They tied and Jesus gave them their (I.D.), John 5:43; John 8:44.
3. “And he said unto them,” (ephe autois kai autos) “And then he said to them,” in a concluding judgment, because they would not have believed Him, Luke 16:31; John 8:24.
4. “Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.” (oude ego lego humin en pola eksousia tauta polo) “Neither will I tell you by what administrative authority I do these things,” about which you make inquiry, Mark 11:33; Luke 20:8.

Matthew 21:28

PARABLE OF CALL OF TWO SONS V. 28-32

1. “But what think ye?” (ti de humin dokei) “Then what do you think about this?” About this situation: set forth in conclusion, Matthew 21:32.
2. “A certain man had two sons;” (anthropos eichen tekna uo) “A man once had two children;” A parabolic lesson is here presented, as a method of teaching that Jesus used in teaching the religious Jewish administrators, scribes, elders, and administrative priests of two classes of people, Matthew 21:23; Mark 11:27.
3. “And he came to the first and said, Son,” (proselthon to proto eipen eknon) “Approaching the first in order or rank he said, Child;” That first child, older son was Israel, Though she said “no,” “I will not,” she will later repent and go, at the return of the Lord, Romans 11:23-25. Or was this first son signifying the heathen rabble, as well? Matthew 21:31.
4. “Go work today in my vineyard.” (hugape semeron ergazou en to ampeloni mou) “Go work today in the vineyard,” the vineyard of the certain man, Matthew 20:1. Israel, in her organized program of worship and service, was God’s vineyard, but now His children, the first born rejected the Messiah, refused to do His work, Isaiah 5:1-7.

Matthew 21:29

1. “He answered and said,” (ho de apokrithas eipen) “Then he answering said,” or reacted by his own choice.
2. “I will not:” (ou thelo) “I will not to do it, Lord:” He refused to enter into the labors of his Father, whose Son (Jesus) came to do His Father’s will in redemption and establishing the church, John 1:11-12.
3. “But afterward he repented, and went.” (hosteron metameletheis apelthen) “Later upon repenting, he went,” at long last he went; His second thoughts were best or better; but after many days of dispersion, Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 21:20-24.

Matthew 21:30

1. “And he came to the second, and said likewise.” (proselthon de deuteron eipen hosautos) “Then approaching the second (child) he said in a similar manner,” or said the same thing, “go work today in the vineyard.”
2. “And he answered and said, I go, sir:” (ho de apokritheis eipen ego kurie) “And he replying said, I go Lord,” as the Pharisees and Sadducees, organized religious orders, first did to Joh the Baptist, wanting to enter the preparation group for Jesus, without salvation, Matthew 3:7-10.
3. “And went not.” (kai ouk apelthen) “And he did not go,” at all, Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 15:8-9. Both the first and the second son of the certain man in this parable appear to represent, first Israel as a whole, as God’s vineyard, and second the rejection or refusal of the official administrators of their worship program to receive and follow the Savior, John 1:11-12; Matthew 23:37-39.

Matthew 21:31

1. “Whether of them twain did the will of his father?” (tis ek ton duo epoiesen to thelema tou patros) “Which of the two children did the will of the father?” as posed in the above parable or story, Matthew 21:28-30.
2. “They say unto him, The first.” (legousin ho husteros) “They reply (to him) the first,” the one who refused at first, then repented and went into the vineyard, as a few of the Jews did at first, of which His church-vineyard, was made up, John 1:11; John 12:46-50.
3. “Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you,” (legei autois ho lesous amen lego humin) “Jesus said directly to them, truly I tell you all,” you scribes, administrative priests, and official elders of Israel, Matthew 21:23; who have resented me, rejected me, and despised my church work which is made up of the few who have repented, been baptized, and joined hands to follow me, Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 5:13-16.
4. “That the publicans and the harlots,” (hoti hoi telonai kai hai pornai) “That the tax collectors and the harlots,” the most immoral and the heathen, like the Samaritan woman, Mary Magdalene, and Zacchaeus.
5. “Go into the kingdom of God before you.” (proagousin hunas eis ten basileian tou theou) “Are actually going into the kingdom of God before you all,” more readily repenting of their immoral sins and turning from then than you obstinate Messiah rejecting religious Jewish rulers.

Matthew 21:32

1. “For Joh came unto you in the way of righteousness,” (elthen gar loannes pros humas en hodo dikaiasunes) “Because Joh came to you in a way of righteousness,” preaching repentance, Matthew 3:1-3; Matthew 3:8; Romans 10:1-4; Romans 10:10.
2. “And ye believed him not:” (kai ouk episteusate auto) “And you all did not believe him,” or his message; Though he preached repentance and “that men should believe on Him that came after him, that is Christ,” Acts 19:4.
3. “But the publicans and the harlots believed him,” (hoi de telonai kai hai pernai episteusan auto) “But the tax-collectors and the harlots believed him,” the testimony of Joh the Baptist concerning me, Luke 3:12-13.
4. “And ye, when ye had seen it,” (humeis de idontes) “Yet you all beholding, looking on,” seeing the changes wrought in their lives, the ones who did repent and believe on Jesus Christ, Mark 1:4-5.
5. “Repented not afterward,” (oude metemelethete husteron) “Did not later repent,” even after you saw the changes in their lives; You had more than the testamentary requirements of two or three witnesses, as prescribed in your law, yet you all did not and have not repented and believed, John 8:14; John 8:17; Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6.
6. “That ye might believe him.” (tou pisteusai auto) “So as to believe him.” In order of conditions required for a sinner to be saved one must repent to God (the trinitarian God) and believe on Jesus Christ as set forth orderly in the Scriptures, Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19; Acts 20:21.

Matthew 21:33

THE DEMANDS FRUIT FOR USE OF HIS V. 33-46

1. “Hear another parable:” (allen perabolan akousate) “You all just listen to another parable,” or give heed to another parable, as follows: Though the other was not first called a parable, this asserts that it was, Matthew 21:28-32.
2. “There was a certain householder,” (anthropos en oikodespotes) “There was a housemaster man,” who represented the master architect of the universe, Almighty God, Mark 12:1.
3. “Which planted a vineyard and hedged it round about,” (hostis ephuteusen ampelona kai phragmon auto perietheken) “Who planted a vineyard and put a hedge (fence) around it.” That vineyard He planted was Israel, hedged about by the Law and the prophets to protect and to guide her, Isaiah 5:1-7.
4. “And digged a winepress in it, and built a tower,” (kai orukesen en auto lenon kai okodomesen purgon) “And he dug in it (the vineyard) a winepress and built a tower,” as described Isaiah 5:1-2. The tower was for the vineyard like the high walled city, a watchtower for warning and protection, Ezekiel 33:7-11.
5. “And let it out to husbandmen,” (kai eksedoto auton georgois) “And he leased it to husbandmen, to be custodian of His worship and service, a witness of salvation and holiness to point men to Christ, Galatians 3:19-24.
6. “And went into a far country.” (kai apedemesen) “And he went far away,” for a long time, having entrusted his vineyard to their stewardship or rental management, to their administration of the oracles of God, Romans 3:2-3. That far country was heaven, to which God returned after giving Moses the Law, Exodus 20:1-26. The harvest is not over yet, as His Son started a new vineyard, John 15:1; John 15:5; John 15:27.

Matthew 21:34

1. “And when the time of the fruit drew near,” (hote de englisen ho karios ton karpon) “And when the time of the fruit-harvest drew near,” when the fruit picking or harvest time came for the husbandman of the vineyard of Israel to send the housemaster His fruit.
2. “He sent his servants to the husbandmen,” (apestei len tous doulous autou pros tous georgous) “He mandated or commissioned his servants to go to the husbandmen” of his vineyard, to the administrator of His work, the chief priests, scribes, and elders, Luke 20:10.
3. “That they might receive the fruits of it.” (labein tous karpous autou) “To take or receive the fruit of that year, that belonged to or was due the housemaster or vineyard owner,” Mark 12:2.

Matthew 21:35

1. “And the husbandmen took his servants,” (kai labontes hoi georgoi doulos autou) “And the husbandmen or tenant took collecting-agent servants,” those who were sent by the housemaster or landowner, owner of the vineyard.
2. “And beat one,” (hon men edeiran) “The one they flogged,” and sent away empty handed, without any fruit, Mark 12:3; Luke 20:10.
3. “And killed another,” (hon de apekteinan) “Then that one they killed,” right in the vineyard area, Mark 12:5; then cast him out of the vineyard, like an animal carcass, Luke 20:12.
4. “And stoned another.” (hon de elithobolesan) “Then the other they stoned,” wounding him in the head seriously, roughed him up and sent him away humiliated, empty handed, Mark 12:4; Luke 20:11. This is the kind of treatment true prophets of God had been receiving at the hands of religious administrators of the Mosaic law, as also later described and exposed by Stephen, Acts 7:51-60. Old Testament examples may be found: 1 Kings 22:24-28; 2 Chronicles 24:20-21; 2 Chronicles 36:15-16; Jeremiah 20:1-2; Hebrews 11:36-37; Nehemiah 9:26; Jeremiah 37:15.

Matthew 21:36

1. “Again he sent other servants,” (palin apesteilen allous doulous) “Again he sent other similar slave collectors for his share of the fruit,” to press upon the husbandmen honesty and honor in stewardship, Malachi 3:8-10; 1 Corinthians 4:2.
2. “More than the first;” (pleionas ton proton) “More servants than the first ones,” than he sent the first time, that the husbandmen might be without excuse for rendering fair dues to the owner of the vineyard, Psalms 116:12.
3. “And they did unto them likewise.” (Rai epoiesan autois hosautos) “And they did similarly to them,” in roughing them up, giving no fruit for them to return to their master, the owner of the vineyard, Matthew 21:35.

Matthew 21:37

1. “But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying,” (husteron de apesteilen pros autous ton huion autou legon) “Then later he sent to them his son, saying,” in all integrity, surely, certainly, if there be any holiness of character, any integrity in these husbandmen, these tenants.
2. “They will reverence my son.” (entrapesontai hon huion mou) “They will (surely) reverence my heir-son,” John 3:16; Hebrews 1:2; Galatians 4:4-5; my long promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, Mark 12:6; Luke 20:13; But they did not, 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15.

Matthew 21:38

1. “But when the husbandman saw the son,” (hoi de georgoi idontes ton huion) “Yet the husbandmen upon seeing the son,” unattended, alone, unprotected, humbly solicitous of what belonged to Him, and His Father,
2. “They said among themselves,” (eipon en heautois) “They said among themselves” in determined collusion among themselves, in a private plotting council of conspiracy, a thing the very ones He was addressing had already entered into against Him, Mark 12:12; Matthew 21:46; Luke 20:19.
3. “This Is the heir,” (houtos estin hi kieronomos) “This one is the inheritance heir,” as these very fellows later did, Matthew 27:1; He was the heir to whom, by covenant, the vineyard did and would belong, Hebrews 1:2; Psalms 2:8.
4. “Come, let us kill him,” (deute apokteinomen auton) “Come, let us slay or kill him,” just wipe him out, get him out of the picture, Mark 12:7.
5. “And let us seize on his inheritance.” (kai schomen ten kleronomian autou) “And let us take over the inheritance, the whole vineyard,” and its assets, Luke 20:14. But behold what they lost, Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 21:24; Matthew 27:21; Matthew 27:25.

Matthew 21:39

1. “And they caught him,” (kai labontes auton) “And they taking hold on him roughly,” but not without his permission, John 10:18; Mark 12:8.
2. “And cast him out of the vineyard,” (eksebalon ekso tou ampeloonos) “And cast him outside of the vineyard,” out of his own heritage, as an heir-son, Mark 12:8; Luke 20:15.
3. “And slew him.” (kai apekleinan) “And out there they killed him,” Mark 12:8; Acts 2:23; Acts 4:25; Acts 4:27. That the Jews slew Jesus, the religious administrators in particular, is here verified and certified by Paul, himself a former Pharisee and leader among them, 1 Thessalonians 14,15.

Matthew 21:40

1. “When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh,” (hotan oun elthe ho kurios tou ampelons) “Consequently when the lord of the ’ vineyard himself comes,” for He will come again, Mark 12:9; Luke 20:16; Mark 13:34-37.
2. “What will he do unto those husbandmen?” (ti poiesei tois georgois ekeinois) “What will he do to those husbandmen?” or that kind of husbandmen, in your judgement? First, He slew many and scattered their people among all nations, till the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled, Luke 21:24. Second, there is yet an hour of tribulation the great they must endure, and finally each must meet the housemaster one-day, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10.

Matthew 21:41

1. “They say unto him,” (legousin auto) “They replied to him,” very directly, these scribes, elders, and high priests pronounced their own due judgement, now pending.

2. “He will miserably destroy those wicked men,” (kakous kakos apolesei autous) “He will destroy them badly,” or with severe destruction, as described by Paul, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Proverbs 1:23-31; Hebrews 9:26-27; Luke 20:16. They incriminated themselves as Nathan did, 2 Samuel 12:5-7, by their own testimony, Matthew 12:37; Romans 14:11-12.

3. “And will let out his vineyard unto other husbandman,” (kai ton ampelona ekedosetai allois georgois) “And he will give out the vineyard (care) to other husbandmen,” others with more moral and ethical character and integrity. This new vineyard and other husbandmen specifically and definitively refers to the “church ye” that Jesus called and chose, John 15:1-5; John 15:16; John 15:27; 1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 1:8.

4. “Which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.” (oitines apodosousin auto tous karpous en tois kairois auton) “Who will return to him the fruits (fare-share of rental) in their seasons,” as soon as the crops are harvested, at the marriage of the Lamb, 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19:5-9.

Matthew 21:42

1. “Jesus saith unto them,” (legei autois ho lesous) “Jesus then quizzed them,” inquired of them, or probed their Biblical memories, since they were reputed to be Biblical scholars, Matthew 21:23.
2. “Did ye never read in the scriptures,” (oudepote anegnote en tais graphais) “Did you all (as priests and elders, Matthew 21:23) never read in the scriptures,” or do you fail to recall or comprehend, Psalms 118:22-23; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17.
3. “The stone which the builders rejected,” (lithon hon apedokimasan hoi oikodomountes) “A stone which the building ones rejected or tossed aside,” Jesus was that stricken, smitten, or rejected rock or stone, to become our water of life, our salvation, Exodus 11:6; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 2:8.
4. “The same is become the head of the corner:” (houtos egenethe eis kephalen gonias) “This one came to be (to exist as) head of the corner,” the foundation of our salvation, building of life, and head of the church, Acts 4:11; 1 Corinthians 3:11.
5. “This is the Lord’s doing,” (para kuriou egeneto aute) “This cornerstone came to exist from alongside the Lord,” Matthew 26:31; When He was smitten as that Rock, He fulfilled the Scriptures, Exodus 17:6; Psalms 118:23; Zechariah 13:7.
6. “And it is marvelous in our eyes.” (kai ethin thaumaste en ophthalmois hemon) “And it is a marvelous thing in our eyes,” Mark 12:11; or in our sight, Isaiah 8:14-20; Isaiah 28:15-20; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 2:6-8.

Matthew 21:43

1. “Therefore say I unto you,” (dia touto lego humin) “Therefore I tell you all plainly and directly,” you administrators, custodians, and unfaithful stewards of the Law of the Lord, Matthew 21:23; and false leaders in Israel.
2. “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you,” (hoti arthesetai aph’ humon he basileia. tou theou) “That the kingdom of God (trusteeship) shall be severed (taken away) from you all;” from the nation of Israel, as the unfruitful vineyard, Matthew 21:33-41.
3. “And given to a nation,” (kai dothesetai ehtnei) “And its trusteeship and service will be given to another nation, race or people,” to the church, called from among the Gentiles as a people for His name’s sake, Acts 15:14.
4. “Bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (poiounti tous karpous autes) “That will be producing fruits of kingdom of God kind,” or it will produce good fruit for God. The church, called from among the Gentiles in Galilee, was according to God’s purpose and is God’s vineyard which Jesus chose and established, Matthew 4:13-22; John 15:1-6; John 15:26-27; Acts 1:8; Acts 10:37. Jesus was thus also the foundation and became head over all things to the church, built of lively stones, (believers) baptized believers, “fitly” or orderly framed or cemented together as an habitation, or dwelling place for the Lord, Through His Spirit, Ephesians 1:20-22; Ephesians 2:20-22; Ephesians 5:25; 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9.

Matthew 21:44

1. “And whosoever shall fall on this stone,” (kai ho peson epi ton lithon touton) “And the one who falls upon (stumbles over) this stone,” which is Christ, stumbles over His Divinity, Deity, and rejects Him as Redeemer, as
2. “Shall be broken:” (sunthlasthesetai) “Will be broken in pieces,” or in parts, scattered, dispersed, as Israel was at her rejection of the Messiah, Luke 21:24; 1 Corinthians 1:23. They, as Jews, were then falling on that stone, being broken, Isaiah 8:15.
3. “But on whomsoever it shall fall,” (eph’ hon d’ an pese) “Yet on whomever it falls,” as a smiting stone, in judgment, to destruction of Gentile powers one day, Daniel 2:34-35.
4. “It will grind him to power.” (liknmesei auton) “It will crush him (them) to powder,” or drive them away as chaff, when the grain is winnowed at harvest time, Psalms 1:4-6; Luke 21:24; Revelation 16:14; Revelation 16:19. Jesus is presented in three ways as the Stone:

1. First, as the Salvation, foundation stone, Acts 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Corinthians 10:4.
2. Second, as Founder and Head of the Church, Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25; 1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18.
3. Third, as the crushing judgment stone upon heathen nations, Daniel 2:34-35; Revelation 16:14; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 19:19.

Matthew 21:45

1. “And when the chief priests and Pharisees,” (kai hoi archiereis kai hoi Pharisaioi) “And the chief priests and the Pharisees,” of Matthew 21:23, who had been intently listening as He expounded the Scriptures to them, as He did to the Emmaus Road disciples later, Luke 24:25-32.
2. “Had heard his parables,” (akousantes tas parabolas autou) “Having heard his parables,” when He had finished answering their questions and clarifying their relationship to the kingdom of God, Matthew 21:23; Heard the two son and vineyard parables, Matthew 21:28-42.
3. “They perceived that he spake of them.” (egnosan hoti peri auton legei) “They then knew, beyond a doubt, that He had spoken concerning them.” Blind and bigoted, though they were, they could but understand God’s disclosure of themselves as rebels against Him and His Son, that day, Mark 12:12; Luke 20:19-20.

Matthew 21:46

1. “But when they sought to lay hands on him,” (kai zeotountes auton keatesai) “And when they sought (an opportune time) to seize him,” that “same hour” Luke 20:19, because they knew He had spoken the truth in exposing them in their extreme hypocrisy, Mark 12:12. They were in a rage, hardly able to restrain themselves, but,
2. “They feared the multitude,” (ephobethesan tous ochlous) “They feared the crowds,” the reaction of the crowds, who held Him in Messianic esteem at this time, Luke 20:19-20. They frequently sought to kill Him. They had bloody-murderous hearts, John 7:30. They feared for the same reason they refused to tell whether John’s baptism was of heaven or of men, Matthew 21:26.
3. “Because they took him for a prophet.” (epei eis propheten auton eichon) “Since they had already taken Him for a prophet,” Mark 12:12, of whom Moses had prophesied, Matthew 21:11; Deuteronomy 18:15-18; Even though they did not, as a nation, receive Him as the Messiah, Matthew 16:13-14; Luke 7:16; John 6:14; John 7:40.