Matthew 21: Jesus Enters Jerusalem, Cleanses Temple, Teaches

Short answer: Matthew 21 recounts Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, cleansing the temple, cursing a fig tree, and engaging in confrontations with religious leaders through parables. It highlights themes of authority, judgment, and the inclusion of the unlikely in God's kingdom.

What Matthew 21 says

Matthew 21 opens with Jesus approaching Jerusalem. He sends two disciples to fetch a donkey and its colt, fulfilling prophecy. The disciples obey, and Jesus rides into the city. A great crowd spreads clothes and branches on the road, shouting praises. The city is stirred, and the crowds identify Jesus as the prophet from Nazareth. This scene sets the stage for the confrontations that follow, showing Jesus' public arrival and the people's recognition of him as a prophetic figure, though their understanding remains incomplete.

Jesus enters the temple and drives out those buying and selling, overturning tables and seats. He declares that the temple should be a house of prayer, but they have made it a den of robbers. The blind and lame come to him, and he heals them. Children cry out praises, which angers the chief priests and scribes. Jesus defends the children by referencing Scripture about praise from the mouths of babes. He then leaves for Bethany. This passage emphasizes Jesus' authority over the temple and his concern for its true purpose, while also highlighting the opposition from religious leaders.

The next morning, Jesus curses a fig tree for having no fruit, and it withers immediately. The disciples marvel, and Jesus teaches about faith and prayer, saying that if they believe without doubting, they can move mountains. This object lesson underscores the power of faith and the importance of bearing fruit. It also serves as a warning about spiritual barrenness, linking back to the temple's corruption and the leaders' lack of faith. The fig tree's quick withering demonstrates the seriousness of failing to produce what God expects.

In the temple, the chief priests and elders question Jesus' authority. He responds by asking about John's baptism, trapping them. He then tells parables: the two sons, where the one who initially refused but later obeyed is commended, and the tenants, where the son is killed and the vineyard given to others. The leaders realize he speaks against them but fear the crowds. These parables confront the religious leaders with their rejection of God's messengers and the coming judgment, while also offering hope to those who repent and believe.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9)” (Matthew 21:9) — The crowds shout Hosanna to the son of David, recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah, yet their expectations will soon clash with his true mission.
• “He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!” (Matthew 21:13)” (Matthew 21:13) — Jesus declares the temple should be a house of prayer, but it has become a den of robbers, highlighting the corruption he opposes and his authority to purify worship.
• “All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”” (Matthew 21:22) — Jesus teaches that whatever is asked in prayer with faith will be received, emphasizing the power of trusting God without doubt.
• “Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes?’” (Matthew 21:42) — Jesus quotes Scripture about the stone the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone, pointing to himself as the rejected yet exalted foundation of God's plan.

Gospel connection

Matthew 21 connects to the wider biblical story by showing Jesus as the promised King who comes humbly, fulfilling prophecy. His cleansing of the temple echoes God's desire for pure worship, while the parables of the two sons and the tenants reveal the long history of Israel's rejection of God's messengers, culminating in the rejection of the Son. The stone imagery points to Jesus' death and resurrection, where the rejected one becomes the cornerstone of a new community. This chapter underscores that God's kingdom is open to all who repent and believe, not just those who claim heritage, and that judgment awaits those who persistently refuse God's call.

Application

This chapter asks readers to examine their own response to Jesus' authority. Do we merely give lip service like the second son, or do we obey even after initial resistance? It challenges us to ensure our worship is genuine, not corrupted by selfish gain. The fig tree warns against a fruitless life that professes faith but shows no evidence. The call to faith in prayer encourages us to trust God deeply, even when circumstances seem impossible. Ultimately, we are invited to recognize Jesus as the cornerstone, to repent, and to bear fruit worthy of the kingdom, aligning our lives with his lordship.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not specify the exact timing of the fig tree's withering beyond 'immediately,' nor does it explain why Jesus expected fruit out of season. It does not record the content of Jesus' teaching in the temple beyond the parables and the authority question. It does not state how the crowd's shouts were organized or whether the children were coached. It also does not detail the aftermath of the parables for the leaders beyond their desire to seize him. The text remains silent on the eternal destiny of the individuals involved, focusing instead on the pronouncements and actions of Jesus.

Questions for study

1. Why did Jesus choose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey, and what does this reveal about his kingship?
2. What was wrong with the temple practices that Jesus cleansed, and how might similar corruption appear today?
3. What does the cursing of the fig tree teach about faith and bearing fruit in the Christian life?
4. In the parable of the two sons, which son represents the religious leaders, and which represents the tax collectors and prostitutes? Why?
5. How does the parable of the tenants summarize the history of Israel's relationship with God, and what warning does it give to us?

Keep reading

Related studies: Matthew 1 Bible Study, Matthew 10 Bible Study, Matthew 12 Bible Study, Matthew 13 Bible Study.

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FAQ

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree if it was not the season for figs?

The text does not explain the reason, but it serves as a symbolic act teaching about the danger of spiritual barrenness and the power of faith. It highlights that fruitfulness is expected regardless of timing.

What does 'Hosanna' mean in verse 9?

Hosanna is a Hebrew expression meaning 'save now' or 'please save,' used here as a cry of praise and plea for deliverance. The crowd uses it to hail Jesus as the son of David.

What is the meaning of the stone the builders rejected in verse 42?

It refers to Jesus himself, who was rejected by the religious leaders but became the cornerstone of God's new building, the church. This fulfills Old Testament prophecy and shows God's surprising plan.