All signs point to Jesus: A journey through the book of Matthew chapter 21-22

 

CHAPTER 21-22

QUESTIONS

What was the meaning of the word “hosanna” that the crowds shouted to Jesus?

Why did Jesus use so much force and anger when He cleansed the temple?

Why would Jesus do something so harsh in the early spring? (21:18–22)

Why didn’t Jesus directly answer their question? (21:23-27)

What was Jesus teaching through this parable? (21:28-32) 

What is the meaning of this parable? (21:33-46)

What is Jesus trying to teach through this parable? (22:1-14)

What answer were the Pharisees hoping Jesus would give? (22:15-22)

Why were the Sadducees rejecting the resurrection of the dead?

What was the trap here? (22:34-40)

Why were the Jewish scribes unable to answer Jesus’ question? (22:41-46) 

This week is Palm Sunday and we’ve appropriately reached the point in our study of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.   This is the origin of the celebration of Palm Sunday- ..and a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. (21:8) 

This part of the Bible always confused me growing up.  Jesus is being worshiped and praised on one day , then mocked and ridiculed the next.  So finally I can dive deeper to see what is really going on here. 

As Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey like a king being praised as a savior while they shouted ‘Hosanna’ which means to save.  The Israelites at the time were placing their hopes on the one that would free them from oppression of the Roman government.   He came to fulfill the prophecy as in Zechariah.  Some believed as the true Messiah, however some were bewildered or had little understanding. (V.11).  The attributes of Jesus are on full display as He is the divine king, Savior King, prophetic king, authoritative king and coming king. However, it is also the beginning of the climactic ending to HIs first coming. 

Some were expecting this savior to defeat these human oppressors with aggression.  Instead, he came to defeat death and the wages of sin with submission.  He came the first time humbly riding on a colt to rescue sinners and be crucified as king.  He will come a second time sovereignly reigning on a horse (Rev 19:11-16) to rule sinners and be crowned as King. 

As we see in Matthew 21:21to rest of chapter 22, Jesus’ authority continues to be questioned and rejected by some people due to sin and unbelief.  This is illustrated by several parables. 

My view of Jesus as the promised king in chapters 21-22, shows me that I may be worshiping the King for the wrong reasons of for what he can do for me now. Maybe I reject out of misplaced fear as the leading priests did?  May I respond with praise and gladly surrender to the King today. 

Let us prioritize prayer and seek the King EVERY day. Let us bear fruit in our lives. The king deserves more than just hollow worship.  Let us have faith as his church. 

JESUS’ MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM, WHERE HE MEETS CONFRONTATION AND REJECTION

Jesus rides into Jerusalem as the Messiah.

Read 21:1–11.

Q 107:

A 107:

What was the meaning of the word “hosanna” that the crowds shouted to Jesus?

The Hebrew word “hosanna” means “save [us] now.” The crowds were proclaiming Jesus the promised Messiah, and they were asking Him to save them. Of course, that is exactly what He was there to do—to go to the cross to save the world from our sins.

But the crowds were thinking of an earthly kingdom—that Jesus would save Judah from the Romans. This might explain in part why the crowd was so pro-Jesus on Sunday, but by Good Friday were jeering Him as He hung from the cross.

Jesus cleanses the temple.

Read 21:12–17.

Q 108:

A 108:

Why did Jesus use so much force and anger when He cleansed the temple?

Jesus entered Jerusalem as God’s appointed Messiah, and He would spend the last days of His public ministry preaching and teaching in the temple courts. But His first task was to cleanse the temple and restore it to God’s appointed purpose. The sacrificial animals and money-changers were necessary since the Jews and converts to Judaism traveled long distances across the Roman Empire to attend the Passover in Jerusalem. But these should have been located outside the temple courts—perhaps at the open market

not far from the temple. The Jewish religious leaders should have recognized with shame that they had shirked their responsibility; instead, they were indignant and plotted to kill Him.

Jesus curses a fig tree.

Read 21:18–22.

Q 109:

A 109:

Why would Jesus do something so harsh in the early spring?

Though the full harvest of figs doesn’t come ripe until later in the season, there should have been unripe figs growing on the tree that Jesus could have eaten. He found only leaves. With no unripe figs growing, this tree would bear no ripe figs at harvest time. Since

it was not fulfilling the purpose for which God created it, Jesus cursed the tree. Jesus used this fig tree as an object lesson for the disciples. The Jewish religious leaders and Jews who rejected Him were as fruitless and faithless as this tree. The city and the temple would be condemned by God for rejecting Jesus and would be destroyed by the Romans in AD 70. But the disciples and all who were given faith in Jesus would be fruitful for God’s glory, and in the coming centuries the Church of God would spread throughout the world.

The Jewish religious leaders challenge Jesus’ authority.

Read 21:23–27.

Q 110:

A 110:

Why didn’t Jesus directly answer their question?

Jesus was concerned with their salvation, wanting to work repentance and faith in them. He asked them the same question about John the Baptist that they had asked of Him. Instead of searching their hearts and seeking the truth, they refused to answer because they were concerned only with how they would look to the crowds. But saying “we don’t know” was an embarrassment to them because it was their responsibility as chief priests to know whether John and Jesus were from God or from men.

Jesus gives the parable of the two sons.

Read 21:28–32.

Q 111:

A 111:

What was Jesus teaching through this parable?

It may have looked like Jesus left the chief priests’ question about His authority unanswered, but Jesus actually teaches this parable and the next to answer the question. First, in this parable, He shows that John’s authority was from heaven—that is, God sent him to baptize. But Jesus exposed the disobedience of the Jewish leaders

to God’s will (the second son in the parable) by showing their refusal to repent and receive John’s Baptism. By comparing the first son—who was ultimately repentant and obedient—to the hated tax collectors and prostitutes, Jesus really shone the Jewish leaders in a bad light.

© 2019 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®.

Jesus teaches the parable of the tenants.

Read 21:33–46.

Q 112:

A 112:

What is the meaning of this parable?

Jesus is answering the Jewish leaders’ questions about the source of His authority. He is the son the master of the house sent to get his fruit from the tenants, who are the religious authorities. Not only do they withhold the owner’s rightful portion, but they also mistreat the messengers sent to them. Then they plot to kill the son. The chief priests understood Jesus was using this parable to declare He received His authority from God.

Jesus teaches the parable of the wedding feast.

Read 22:1–14.

Q 113:

A 113:

What is Jesus trying to teach through this parable?

God the Father earnestly wants all people to be in heaven through faith in Christ. But some resist being brought to faith by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is highlighting His divine Sonship, Israel’s persistent rejection of the prophets God sent to it, and the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s kingdom.

The Pharisees plot to trap Jesus.

Read 22:15–22.

Q 114:

A 114:

What answer were the Pharisees hoping Jesus would give?

This was like their version of Jesus’ question about the source of John the Baptist’s authority. They thought no matter what answer Jesus gave—yes or no—it would go badly for Him. If He said, “Yes, we should pay taxes to Caesar” they thought the crowds would turn against Him. But if He said, “No, we should not pay taxes,” they would have reported Him to Pontius Pilate. Instead of answering with one of these, Jesus reminded them that God has a place for legitimate government, and though the kingdom of God is more important, legitimate earthly government plays an important role in God’s plan: the work of the Church would be greatly hindered in the chaos of an anarchist society.

The Sadducees try to make Jesus look ridiculous for teaching the resurrection.

Read 22:23–33.

Q 115:

A 115:

Why were the Sadducees rejecting the resurrection of the dead?

To them, it seemed an absurd idea. Besides, they only believed Moses’ books (Genesis–Deuteronomy) were genuine Scripture, and Moses doesn’t directly speak about God raising people from the dead—though it is directly taught in many other Old Testament books, which is why most Israelites believed in it. Jesus’ answer pointed out that they didn’t even know the books of Moses like they thought they did. Jesus shows that even Moses implied a resurrection as God identified Himself to Moses at the burning bush by saying, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” If there was no life after death, He would have had to say “I was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

The Pharisees gather together for one more go at Jesus.

Read 22:34–40.

Q 116: What was the trap here?

A 116: The Pharisees hoped Jesus would promote a lesser matter of the Law so they could contradict Him and say that He was teaching falsely. Instead, Jesus went to the heart of the Law—the summary of the Ten Commandments.

Jesus turns the table and asks the Pharisees a question.

Read 22:41–46.

Q 117:

A 117:

Why were the Jewish scribes unable to answer Jesus’ question?

They didn’t understand the Scriptures revealed that the Messiah would be God (David’s Lord) and man (David’s son or descendant) at the same time. Jesus silences them with this question about Himself.

© 2019 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®.