The Authority of Jesus Is Challenged

Continuing a study of the gospels:

(Matthew 21:23) And when He had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority do you do these things? And who gave You this authority?"

In the first part of Matthew 21, in the last post, Jesus had just made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  He had cleared the temple courts of the buyers and sellers, and when He went into the temple, He apparently began to teach.  The chief priests and elders came to Him and asked what authority He had to clear the temple as He had done and then to come in and teach, and who it was who gave Him that authority.

(24) And Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I will likewise tell you by what authority I do these things."

Jesus answered the chief priests and elders that He would also ask them a question, and if they answered Him, He would likewise answer their question regarding by what authority He did what He did.

(25) "The baptism of John, from where was it? From heaven, or of men?" And they reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Why did you not then believe him?'"

As was Jesus's usual MO, He asked the priests and scribes a question designed to make them think and fully realize the answer which would convict themselves.  Jesus asked them where John's baptisms came from.  By the "baptism of John," He meant the baptisms that John the Baptist did.  He knew the priests held John in high regard, and any answer they gave to His question would reveal the truth and trap them in their own snare.  The priests and scribes reasoned among themselves, realizing they were trapped by their own question.  Of course, they knew by what authority Jesus did those things--the same authority by which John the Baptist baptized.  They realized that if they answered that John baptized by authority of heaven, then Jesus would reasonably ask why they didn't believe John when He taught about Jesus, the Messiah.

(26) "But if we shall say, 'Of men,' we fear the people, for all hold John as a prophet."

The chief priests and scribes continued reasoning among themselves.  If, instead of answering "From heaven," they instead answered "Of men," they feared the retaliation of the people witnessing their answer, as they knew the correct answer and how all the people felt about John the Baptist.

(27) And they answered Jesus and said, "We cannot tell." And He said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Realizing the dilemma they found themselves in, they chose to answer that they did not know by what authority John baptized people.  Therefore, Jesus answered He would likewise not tell them by what authority He did what He did.  It's not that He didn't want them to know the answer; they knew, for He had told them on countless other occasions.  He chose to reveal their hypocrisy by turning their question back on themselves.

(28) "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, "Son, go work today in my vineyard."

Jesus asked what they thought about this parable He began to tell to illustrate His point.  He told of a man who had two sons.  One day he came to one son and asked him to go work the day in his vineyard.

(29) "He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he repented and went."

The son initially answered that he would not work in his father's vineyard, but later changed his mind and went to work for his father.

(30) "And he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, "I go, sir," but he did not go."

The man asked his second son to work the day in his vineyard, and the son told his father that he would go, but he didn't.

(31) "Which of those two did the will of his father?" They said to him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Verily I say to you that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you."

Jesus asked the priests and scribes which of the two sons did the will of his father.  They answered that the first son did.  Jesus told them that surely tax collectors and harlots, those deemed wicked, would enter the kingdom of heaven before they ever would.  The sons represent the people Jesus came to save.  The first son represents the sinners who reject salvation initially while they continue in their worldly sinful ways, but eventually come to Christ.  The second son represents so-called Christians who profess to follow Christ and do what He asks, but do not do it.  This, of course, was symbolic of the chief priests and scribes during Jesus's time.

(32) "For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the publicans and the harlots believed him; and you when you had seen it, did not repent afterward that you might believe him."

Further describing how this related to His question about John the Baptist, Jesus told them that John had come in righteousness proclaiming the coming Messiah and the need for repentance, but they did not believe him.  However, publicans and tax collectors heard him and believed him and therefore received Christ.  Even when the priests and scribes had seen and heard Jesus, and knew what John had said was true, they still did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, and they did not change their minds or their ways.

(33) "Hear another parable. There was a certain householder who planted a vineyard, and hedged it all around, and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower, and leased it out to farmers, and went into a far country."

Jesus exhorted His audience to listen to another parable.  He told of a landowner who planted a vineyard, then hedged it all around, and then dug a winepress and built a tower, and then leased it to farmers while he went to a faraway country.  Luke said in his account of this that Jesus spoke to people who had gathered around Him, but He directed this parable to the priests and scribes who were still there.  The landowner in the parable symbolized God who prepared His kingdom on earth and even left a manual with His word and His law.  He left it in the hands of religious spiritual guides.

(34) "And when the time of the fruit grew near, he sent his servants to the farmers that they might receive its fruit."

When the time of the fruit grew near, the landowner representing God, sent his servants representing the prophets and other such messengers, to the people who had been left with His vineyard on earth.  The prophets and messengers of God came as His servants to proclaim what He found of their fruits.

(35) "And the farmers took his servants, and beat one, killed another, and stoned another."

However, the farmers beat and killed the landowner's servants.  This is symbolic of the people beating, stoning, and killing God's prophets and messengers by a variety of persecutions.

(36) "Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did to them likewise."

The landowner sent more servants, but the farmers beat and killed those as well.  The word "pleion" that was translated as "more" also means "more excellent."  That describes the other prophets and messengers that God sent, for as the fullness of the time drew near, the prophets more clearly and fully pointed out the coming of Christ.  Those prophets were persecuted and killed, as well.

(37) "But last of all, he sent to them his son, saying, 'They will reverence my son.'"

Of course, this is symbolic of God sending His Son Jesus as the ultimate witness who surely should have been revered, and spiritual leaders should have reflected on their prior conduct and repented when they saw God's son.

(38) "But when the farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.'"

When the farmers saw the son, they said among themselves that since he was the heir to the vineyard, they would kill him and seize his inheritance.  This is symbolic of the chief priests and scribes, who when they saw the Son of God, saw Him as a threat to their power, and plotted to kill Him and retain their power.

(39) "And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him."

Of course, this represents the Jewish leaders who seized Jesus, turned Him out of the Jewish church into the hands of the Gentiles, who ultimately killed Him.

(40) "When the lord, therefore, of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?"

Jesus proposed the question of what the people thought the lord of the vineyard, representing God, would do to the farmers who killed his son.

(41) They said to Him, "He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will lease out his vineyard to other farmers who will render him the fruits in their seasons."

The design of Jesus's question was that the chief priests and scribes would condemn themselves and admit the justice of the punishment that was soon to be administered to them.  Incredibly, they answered His question, not recognizing that they had condemned themselves.  Indeed, God would condemn those who killed His Son, and would offer His kingdom on earth to others, the Gentiles.

(42) Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the scriptures, 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.'?"

Jesus asked if they had ever read in the scriptures a prophecy He then quoted to them from Psalm 118:22-23.  The stone representing Jesus which the builders of the church rejected, was the foundation of the Church, upon Whom the whole church represented by the building rested.  The psalmist further wrote that the appointment of Jesus as the foundation of His church on earth was the work of God, and it was wonderful in the sight of His people, that He should stoop so low as to send His Son to be despised, rejected, and put to a horrible death, to be the foundation of the Christian church which would be the salvation of the world.

(43) "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits of it."

Furthermore, Jesus said that, like the lord of the vineyard in His parable, the kingdom of God would be taken away from the Jews and given to a nation that would bring forth the fruits of it, meaning to the Gentiles, to other nations of the world who would accept it and work it to bring forth fruits for Him and His glory.

(44) "And whoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken, but on whomever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."

Jesus stated that whoever fell on that cornerstone, stumbled on Him and His word, would be broken; he who was offended by and opposed Christ would only injure himself.  To be broken before the Lord is when one's heart has completely submitted to Him, and all stubbornness, resistance, and self-will has been broken.  However, if that cornerstone fell on someone, it would grind that person to powder; those who continued to reject Him and refused to be repentant would ultimately be crushed by Christ, that cornerstone, in the day of judgment, and would perish forever.

(45) And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard His parables, they perceived that He spoke of them. (46) But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitude because they took Him for a prophet.

Even more incredibly, the chief priests and Pharisees heard Jesus's parables and indeed, realized He spoke about them, but still they wanted to seize Him.  However, the cowards feared the masses who revered Christ and saw Him as a prophet.  Having followed Him and hearing His teachings and witnessing His miraculous healings, the Pharisees knew the people would not have stood for Him to be abused.  Therefore, the account in Mark says, they left Him and went their way.

In this second part of the 21st chapter of Matthew, we see the goodness, mercy, and love of God in sending His messengers to save a lost world.  However, that world rejected and killed His prophets, and even heinously killed His beloved Son.  Even after that, God still sends messengers to the lost, and thousands of those have died while attempting to spread the gospel.  However, our marvelously loving and merciful, and awesome God still sends messengers!  Many still reject Him, and some of us have rejected Him multiple times, but He persists in saving us.  What earthly parent could ever be so kind as to do this?  Of course, none!  There is simply no comparison in the way God loves to our feeble selfish earthly love, but we continually strive to be more Christlike.

Jesus's Triumphal Entry

Continuing a Bible study of the gospels:

(Matthew 21:1) And when they drew near to Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage to the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples.

In the last chapter, Jesus and the disciples and a multitude of people following them, had left Jericho and were making their way to Jerusalem where Jesus had told His disciples He would be betrayed and condemned to death.  They were now nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage at the Mount of Olives.  Jesus sent out two of His disciples.

(2) Saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you and right away you shall find a donkey tied and a colt with her; loose them and bring them to Me."

Jesus told the two disciples to go to the village which was most likely Bethphage, and informed them they would immediately find a donkey tied up and her colt with her.  He told them to untie and bring the donkeys to Him.

(3) "And if any man says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."

Jesus further instructed the two disciples that if anyone said anything to them about taking the donkeys, they were to tell that person that the Lord had need of them, and he would immediately send them with the disciples.

(4) All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, (5) "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King comes to you, meek, and sitting on a donkey and a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"

These things were done fulfilling a prophecy by Zechariah in chapter 9, verse 9, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly, and riding on a donkey and a colt, the foal of a donkey."

(6) And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. (7) And brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.

The two disciples indeed went and did just as Jesus had told them to do.  They brought the donkey and the colt to Him, and laid their outer garments on them, so that Christ might sit on them rather than directly on the donkey.

(8) And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them in the way.

Many other people also spread their garments in the road, and others cut down branches from the trees and spread those in the road ahead of Jesus.  This was the way kings and princes and conquerors were often honored.

(9) And the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried, saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

The multitudes of people who went before Jesus and those who followed behind cried out, "Hosanna to the Son of David!"  Hosanna was an exclamation of adoration, and by calling Him the Son of David, the people acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah.  Hosanna precisely meant, "Lord save us;" whether they realized it meant that or not, the people were in another way acknowledging the Savior of the world.

(10) And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?"

When Jesus had come into Jerusalem, all the city was astir.  The people were moved emotionally or perhaps the meaning is physically.  There was surely movement and great excitement at the coming multitude and triumphant procession through the city.  The people wanted to know who this was who was worthy of such honor.

(11) And the multitude said, "This is Jesus, the Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."

The multitude accompanying Jesus told them that it was Jesus the Prophet, that is, the Prophet of whom Moses had prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18, when he said that the Lord would raise up a Prophet.  Although Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem, he had lived and had been educated in Nazareth, and it was the common opinion of people that He was from there.

(12) And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of those who sold doves.

Jesus went into the temple at Jerusalem and found people buying and selling merchandise in the outer courts of the temple.  The holy temple of God had been turned into a commercial enterprise where vendors sold religious items related to sacrifice.  As I write this on Christmas Eve, I can't help but think how Christ might react to our Christmas displays and mounds of presents supposedly worshipping HIS birthday.  We, too, are just as guilty of turning a beautiful gift of God's into a humongous commercial enterprise.  

This appears to be the second time that Jesus cleared the temple of vendors and customers, overthrowing tables and chairs.  Although this is Matthew's first account of it happening, chronologically John recorded an earlier event when Jesus actually made a whip and drove them all out of His Father's temple.  However, having learned nothing, here they all were again, and Jesus again drove them out of His Father's temple.

(13) And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called the house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of thieves!"

Jesus said to those He drove out of the temple courts that it was written in scripture that the Lord's house was to be the house of prayer, but they had made it a den of thieves, referencing a statement in Jeremiah 7:11 that turned out to be prophetic for this time, "Is this house which is called by My name become a den of thieves...?"

(14) And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.

Having condemned the profane use of the temple, Jesus then set about His Father's business and showing the proper use of the temple.  It was a house of prayer and of the goodness and power of God to heal the spiritually blind, as He also healed the physically blind and lame.

(15) And when the chief priest and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were sorely displeased.

It's really a most remarkable thing that when the chief priests and scribes saw all the goodness and miracles that Jesus did, and hearing the praises of the people, they were incensed.  I can't help but think of the division in our country in this day.  In no way am I comparing President Trump to Jesus, but it's the principle of doing good for the people that is hated by people in power.  Those in power didn't want people praising him and giving him credit for the good things he did for the people.  Instead, they would actually sacrifice the well-being of the people for their own political power.  I believe they actually sacrifice people!  I mean, people's very lives.  The lies and cover-ups being told about this covid pandemic at this time are actually causing loss of people's lives, but as long as it means they get to stay in power, it's worth that "greater good," so they tell us.  The tale of covid is a huge book in itself, but suffice it to say that the people making the laws obviously don't believe the fear hype they spread, or they would practice what they preach.  The little people must be vaccinated and wear masks in their own homes and disinvite relatives to their Christmas parties who don't obey those rules, but those same people are seen constantly partying in crowds without those masks.  Thousands upon thousands of people pour into our country on the southern border without being tested or vaccinated.  I actually believe that's on purpose to keep the covid scare going so they may continue to control the masses, and of course control voting methods.  Again another book for another time.  But just like the politicians of this day, the leaders in Christ's day did not care about the good being done for the people; they only cared that this Jesus was getting their power and glory!

(16) And said to Him, "Do you hear what these say?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings you have perfected praise'?" 

The chief priest and scribes heard the praises to Jesus, and asked Him if He heard what they were saying, insinuating of course, that He wasn't what the people claimed Him to be, and He should reprove them.  However, Jesus answered them by quoting Psalm 8:2, indicating He approved of what they were saying and that they spoke correctly--the children might offer praises to God.

(17) And He left them and went out of the city into Bethany, and He lodged there.

Jesus left them and went to Bethany which was about two miles from Jerusalem, and He lodged there.  This was probably to prevent being apprehended by His enemies before His time.  As those enemies were probably expecting Him to overthrow their government and set Himself up as King, by leaving Jerusalem, He alleviated those suspicions for the time being.

(18) Now in the morning as He returned to the city, He was hungry.

The next morning Jesus returned to Jerusalem, and on His way, found Himself hungry.

(19) And when He saw a fig tree by the way, He came to it and found nothing on it, but leaves only, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you hence forward forever." And presently the fig tree withered away.

Being hungry, Jesus went to a fig tree He saw beside the road, expecting to find fruit to eat.  However, there was no fruit, only leaves on the tree.  Jesus spoke to the tree, in effect cursing it, declaring no fruit to grow on it from that point in time and forward.  The tree withered and died.  This may be seen as an illustration of what was to become of the Jewish nation.  They flourished with leaves only, bearing no real fruit.  It was the proper time for them to have borne fruit, having had Jesus in their midst preaching and teaching for the past three plus years.  But as they had only empty words and only an external show of religion, God would soon take away His kingdom, the Gospel; and their temple, city, and nation, would be destroyed just as the fig tree was.

(20) And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How soon is the fig tree withered away!"

The account in Mark stated that it was the next day when the disciples saw the tree again and they were amazed at how quickly it had dried up and withered away since they last saw it the day before.

(21) Jesus answered and said to them, "Verily, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you shall not only do this to the fig tree, but also if you shall say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it shall be done."

Jesus replied to the disciples that if they had complete faith with no doubt, they could likewise do to the fig tree what He had done, and even greater things, such as moving a mountain and casting it into the sea.  This promise was probably peculiar to only the disciples, as that power had been given to them, that if they had complete faith, they could do whatever they asked as they had been promised that what they bound or loosed on earth would be bound or loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18); God in heaven would agree to what they asked on earth.  I do not believe this is to be taken as a promise to all of us, that we can move mountains if we just have faith enough.  However, if it is God's will and the Holy Spirit leads for His purposes, I do believe it is then possible, but only when that power has been given as it was to the disciples.

(22) "And all things, whatever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."

Jesus added a final encouragement to the disciples, that whatever they asked in prayer and in faith, they would receive.  This scripture has certainly been taken out of context by most who read it.  This is not a promise that everything we ask for, we will get if we only have faith enough; this promise was to the disciples who had already been given the power to receive what they asked.  That's not to say that God won't give us our hearts' desires, but only if within His will, and we should really want His will to be done, as He knows so much better than we what is best for us!

This seems a good place to end this post as this is a long chapter.  The King of kings had come into Jerusalem in triumph and glorious praise, but was rejected by the chief priests and scribes.  His cursing of the fig tree was representative of what was to happen to Jerusalem because of that rejection.  If Jerusalem had repented, they surely would have been saved, just as sinners who repent will be saved.  However, if sinners don't repent, like Jerusalem, they will perish.