Matthew 21

King

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Matthew 21:1–7

Jesus arranges His entry into Jerusalem so that it fulfills Zechariah's prophecy of Israel's King coming humbly on a donkey. He calls Himself "the Lord" who has need of the animals.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Zechariah 9:9 — "Thy King cometh unto thee ... lowly, and riding upon an ass."
• a parallel account in Mark 11:1-7 — Mark's account of sending for the colt.
• the same event in John 12:14-15 — John also cites the prophecy of the King on an ass's colt.

Son of David

Hosanna — "save now, we pray"

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. Matthew 21:8–9

The crowds spread garments and branches and shout the words of Psalm 118, hailing Jesus as the promised Son of David who comes in the Lord's name. "Hosanna" is a plea for salvation directed to the One who can give it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Psalm 118:25-26 — "Save now, I beseech thee ... Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD."
• a parallel account in Mark 11:9-10 — Mark's account of the Hosannas.
• the same event in John 12:13 — John records palm branches and "the King of Israel."

Jesus

And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? Matthew 21:10–11

The whole city asks the question every person must answer: "Who is this?" The crowd knows Him as Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet, though He is far more.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name of the premortal Christ

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, Matthew 21:12–14

Jesus cleanses the temple and quotes Isaiah, where Jehovah calls the temple "my house." As Jehovah come in the flesh, He claims the house as His own, clears it, and then heals the blind and lame inside it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 56:7 — Jehovah: "mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people."
• quotes Jeremiah 7:11 — "Is this house ... become a den of robbers in your eyes?"
• fulfils Malachi 3:1 — "The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple."
• a parallel account in Mark 11:15-17 — Mark's account of the cleansing.

Son of David

And when the chief priests 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 sore displeased, Matthew 21:15–16

Children in the temple praise Jesus as the Messiah while the leaders fume. Jesus accepts their praise by quoting a psalm about praise offered to God, quietly showing that praise given to Him is praise given to God.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Psalm 8:2 — "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings" (Matthew follows the Greek wording "perfected praise").

Jesus

Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. Matthew 21:18–22

Jesus curses a leafy but fruitless fig tree, a living sermon on religion that looks good but bears no fruit, and then teaches the disciples the power of faith and believing prayer.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 11:20-24 — Mark's account of the withered fig tree and the teaching on faith.

Jesus

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? Matthew 21:23–32

The leaders demand to know where Jesus' authority comes from. He answers with a question about John the Baptist, whose witness pointed to Him, and with the parable of two sons, showing that repentant sinners are entering the kingdom ahead of those who only say the right words.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 11:27-33 — Mark's account of the question of authority.

Son of God (the Heir)

Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: Matthew 21:33–41

In this parable the householder is God, the servants are the prophets, and the beloved son and heir is Jesus Himself. Days before His death, He tells the leaders they will kill Him and cast Him out, just as He was crucified outside the city.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 5:1-7 — Isaiah's song of the vineyard with its hedge, winepress and tower.
• a parallel account in Mark 12:1-9 — Mark: "having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved."
• a parallel account in Luke 20:9-16 — Luke: "I will send my beloved son."
• the same title in Hebrews 1:2 — God's Son "whom he hath appointed heir of all things."
• fulfilled by Hebrews 13:12 — Jesus "suffered without the gate."

Chief Cornerstone

Head of the corner — the cornerstone that holds the whole building true

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Matthew 21:42–43

Jesus applies Psalm 118 to Himself: the leaders (the builders) are rejecting Him, but God will make Him the cornerstone of everything. Peter later says plainly that this stone is Jesus Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Psalm 118:22-23 — The rejected stone become the head stone of the corner.
• interpreted by Acts 4:10-11 — Peter: Jesus Christ of Nazareth "is the stone which was set at nought of you builders."
• interpreted by 1 Peter 2:7 — Christ is the stone the builders disallowed, made the head of the corner.
• the same title in Ephesians 2:20 — "Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone."

The Stone

And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Matthew 21:44

"This stone" is Christ. Those who stumble over Him are broken, and those who fight Him will be crushed, like the stone in Daniel that fills the whole earth.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 8:14-15 — The LORD as a stone of stumbling; many shall stumble, fall, and be broken.
• alludes to Daniel 2:34-35 — The stone cut without hands breaks the image to pieces like chaff.
• a parallel account in Luke 20:18 — Luke's form of the same saying.
• the same title in Jacob 4:15-16 — Israel will reject "the stone" that becomes the only sure foundation.