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THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
[“Triumphal Entry!”]
(Key word: Rejection)
|| Mark 11:1-3; Luke 19:28-31
MT21:1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem they entered Bethphage1231
on the Mount of Olives.1232
From there Jesus sent away two disciples,
1231 Bethphage: Meaning, “House of Early Figs.” Near enough to provide a full view of Jerusalem.
MT21:2 telling them:
“Be on your way to this nearby village.1233 You will quickly
locate a donkey tied with her colt.1234 Untie these and bring them back to me.
1232 Mount of Olives: About a half mile from Jerusalem (a Sabbath day’s journey) with a summit of 2,700 feet. During the
Roman siege in 70 CE the hills were stripped of their trees [The Jewish War, V, 523 (xii, 4)]. Much occurs in this area during the ministry of the Nazarene. 1233 Nearby village: Or, KJV: village over against you; TCNT: the village facing you; NEB: the village opposite. Possibly
Bethany where Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha, lived.
MT21:3 Now if anyone asks you what you are doing, tell them, ‘The Master needs them and will return them.’”12351234 Donkey tied with her colt:
Mark 11:2 has it, “… find a colt tied, on which none of mankind has yet sat.” Compare Luke 19:30. Some view these as contradictions. Others recognize that one writer may report one thing, and another add something which does
not contradict but amplifies the information. Surely any future editor could have altered the original to force them into what would appear a closer harmony. Unless the eyewitnesses knew there was no contradiction. The actual prophecy may have the answer. 1235 And will return them: Or, KJV: he will send them;
KNX: he will let you have them without more ado; RIEU: but will send them back at once. The phrase has two possible meanings.
|| Luke 19:28-38; John 12:14-16
MT21:4 This actually happened1236
so that what was spoken through the prophet [Zechariah]1237
might be fulfilled when he said,
1236 This actually happened: Matthew provides his own observation on the Scripture.
MT21:5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, saying, Look! Your meek King is coming to you mounted on a donkey and a colt, foal of a beast of burden.”
[Zechariah 9:9]
1237 The prophet [Zechariah]: The quote is from Zechariah 9:9. The Jewish LXX foretells, “riding on an ass, and a young foal.” The young donkey rides closely side by side its mother.
|| Mark 11:4-10; Luke 19:32-38; John 12:12,13
MT21:6 Having left the [two] disciples did just as Jesus directed them.
MT21:7 They returned with the donkey and its colt and they put outer garments upon the donkey and its colt. Jesus sat atop them.
MT21:8 Now much of the crowd spread their outer garments on the path while others cut down tree branches and spread these over the road.
MT21:9 Some of the crowds rushed ahead of Jesus while others followed behind, all yelling, “Hosanna1238
to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is the one coming in the Name of YHWH!’1239
[Psalm 118:26] Hosanna in the highest!”1238 Hosanna: WMS: Welcome; GDSP: God bless; TCNT: God save; NW: Save. 1239 The one coming in the Name of YHWH: The crowd may have understood this Name was Yehowah. The very word “Name”
became something of a synonym for YHWH. The Hallel Psalm 118:26 sings, “Blessed be the One coming in the name of Yehowah.” These words were from the Passover hymn sung following the Passover meal.
MT21:10 As Jesus entered into Jerusalem the whole city was thrown into commotion,1240
with [people] asking, “Who is this?”
MT21:11 But crowds were yelling, “That is the prophet Jesus1241
from Nazareth of Galilee!”1240 Thrown into commotion: The Greek is ESEISTHE from which is drawn “earthquake.” Or, KJV: moved; ASV: stirred;
RHM: startled; NEB: wild with excitement; PME: a shock ran through the whole city. We can only imagine the stir that began to move as excitable tentacles throughout this famous city. This can only irritate the jealous hierarchy and cause concern among the Roman occupiers. Passover was a time when Jerusalem’s population swelled into a million pilgrims from all over the world. Crowd control was a big problem for the Roman soldiers. 1241 The prophet Jesus: We note the general opinion of so many people: Jesus was a prophet.
|| Mark 11:11, 15-17; Luke 19:45, 46
MT21:12 Now Jesus entered the temple grounds1242
and drove out all those selling and buying1243
on the temple grounds. He upset the tables and benches of the moneychangers and those selling the doves.
1242 The temple grounds: The Greek is HIERO and is the word that refers to the whole temple compound. The Greek word NAOS
is limited to the Temple proper with its two holy compartments. See Thayer’s.
MT21:13 Jesus told them all,
“It was written:
‘My House will be called “A house of prayer”’1244
but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”1245
[Isaiah 56:7]
1243 Those selling
and buying: NOR: tipped over the tables of the cashiers; KNX: tables of the bankers. The pilgrims by the hundreds of thousands came to buy animals and birds for sacrifice so considerable money changed hands. The chief priests had the concession for this
and one can imagine the reaction to Jesus’ actions. 1244 My House will be called “a house of prayer”: The quote is from Isaiah 56:7.
MT21:14 And the blind and lame approached Jesus on the temple
grounds and he cured them.
1245 But you have turned it into a den of thieves: Jesus includes Jeremiah 7:11. Or, RIEU: a robbers’ den; LAM: a bandits’
cave; NW: cave of robbers. Essentially Jesus calls the concessionaires, the priests, a bunch of thieves. This will not sit well.
MT21:15 Now the chief priests and Scribes became incensed1246
when they saw the awesome things1247
Jesus did as well as all the boys1248
yelling, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
1246 Became incensed: Or, KJV: sore displeased; ASV: moved with indignation; KNX: greatly angered; BER: chagrined; NOR: became furious; BECK: they didn’t like it at all. 1247 Awesome things: The Greek is THAUMASIA and related English words mean “miracles” or “magic” (wonders). Or, KJV: wonderful things; RHM: marvels; NOR: works of power.
MT21:16 The priests and Scribes asked Jesus, “Do you hear what they are saying?” But, Jesus answered them,
“Indeed! Did you never read:
‘Out of the mouth of babes1249 and sucklings1250 You arranged praise’?”1251
[Psalm 8:2 LXX]
1248 All the boys: Elsewhere these are described as “disciples.” 1249 Out of the mouth of babes: A quote from Psalm 8:2 (LXX). Jesus had called his disciples elsewhere as little boys
or little children. 1250 Sucklings: Or, KNX: infants at the breast; NASB: nursing babes. Compare the metaphor at 1 Peter 2:2.
MT21:17 Departing from them Jesus went outside the city into the village of Bethany1252
and found lodging there.1251 Arranged praise: Or, KJV: perfected praise; RIEU: ordained; NASB: prepared; NW: furnished. 1252 Bethany: Possibly staying with Lazarus and his sisters. For their own reasons the Synoptics
omit the resurrection of Lazarus while John records it.
|| Mark 11:12-14, 20-24
MT21:18 Early in the morning when they were returning to Jerusalem Jesus felt hungry.1253
MT21:19 When
he saw a fig tree he went to pick some figs but he found only leaves.1254
Jesus spoke to the fig tree, saying,
“No longer will you bear any fruitage1255 to the eon.”1256
And the fig tree withered instantly.
1253 Jesus felt hungry: Something God cannot feel for then He would lack and depend on something else. Though this is the
motive given for what follows we suspect something deeper: an object lesson for his disciples. We wonder the reason Matthew includes this and omits the resurrection of Lazarus. 1254 He found only leaves: Mark 11:13 adds, “… for it was not the season of figs.” It is early
spring (Passover). We might wonder if Jesus were God he would not have to approach the tree to see if there were figs. A larger lesson is going on. 1255 No longer will you bear any fruitage: Or, RIEU: may you be barren; NEB: you will never bear fruit any more.
MT21:20 Now when the disciples saw this they wondered, asking, “How did the fig tree whither instantly?”
MT21:21 But Jesus answered them:
“I tell you this truth: If you [disciples]1257 have faith and
never doubt,1258 you not only can do the same to a fig tree, but also you could tell this mountain,
‘Rise and plunge into the sea!’ – and it will occur.
1256 To the eon: The Greek is EIS TON AIONA and though some translate this “forever” it would seem Jesus meant for the rest of the life of the tree. See NEB. 1257 If you [disciples]: The Greek is plural and so this is directed to the apostles.
MT21:22 Indeed, everything, anything you request1259 in a prayer of faith – you [disciples] will receive it.”1258 Have faith and never doubt: See the notes on Matthew 17:20. The lesson is faith. We note Jesus does not perform a miracle to produce figs
so ease his hunger. 1259
Everything, anything you request: We do not suspect the apostles thought this was a frivolous request but something like a “mountain” related to their commission from their Lord. From a historical retrospective the idea that an unknown carpenter
from Nazareth could create such an affect upon mankind would be much larger than any mountain. Throughout his ministry one of the Nazarene’s goals must have been the building of faith among his disciples. They would need a world-changing faith to accomplish
the work before them and endure centuries of Holocaust.
|| Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8
MT21:23 And having entered the temple area Jesus was teaching when the chief priests and Jewish elders approached him, asking, “What kind of authority do you have to do this? Who gave you this authority?” MT21:24 Jesus answered them: “And I ask you a single question and if you answer I will reveal to you the kind of authority I have. MT21:25 What was the source of John’s baptism? Heaven or human?” But they carried on a dialogue among themselves: “If we say, ‘Heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ MT21:26 And, if we say ‘Human,’ we have the crowd to fear, for they consider John a prophet.” MT21:27 So, they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you my kind of authority [to teach].
MT21:28 “However, what is your view? A father had two children. Approaching the first, he said, ‘Child, go work today in the vineyard.’
MT21:29 Now, this child responded, ‘I will, Sir,’ but did not leave for the vineyard.
MT21:30 The father approached the second child and requested the same, who said, ‘I will not!’ but later felt regret and went into the vineyard.
MT21:31 Now, which of the two did the will of their father?”
The priests and elders answered, “The last one.” Then Jesus said to them:
“I tell you this truth: Tax-collectors and the sexually immoral1260
are going ahead of you1261 into the Realm of The God.
1260 Sexually immoral: Or, fornicators. The Greek is PORNAI which is drawn from “to buy” and means prostitute
or harlot. See notes under PORNEIA or fornicator. Or, KJV: harlots; GDSP: prostitutes.
MT21:32 John came to you in righteousness way and you did not believe him. But the tax-collectors and sexually immoral
believed him. Not you – though seeing you did not feel regret later and so believe in John.
1261
Going ahead of you: Or, preceding you.
|| Mark 12:1-9; Luke 20:9-16
MT21:33 “Listen to another parable:1262 A person was a landlord. Before traveling away, he planted a vineyard, fenced it around, dug a winepress, erected a tower and then he leased it out to cultivators.
MT21:34 Now when the fruit came into season the landlord sent his slaves to the cultivators to gather in his crop.
MT21:35 Having received his slaves the cultivators beat them, and one they killed and another they stoned.
MT21:36 Then the landlord sent more slaves and they did the same to them.
MT21:37 Finally, he sent off his own son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
MT21:38 However, when the [cultivators] saw the son they told one another, ‘This is the heir. Come and let us kill him and then we will have his inheritance.’
MT21:39 Taking the son they threw him outside the vineyard and killed him.
MT21:40 Now, when the lord of the vineyard arrived, what will he do to those cultivators?”
MT21:41 The priests and Scribes answered, “Because they were bad people he will bring a bad destruction on them. Then he will lease the vineyard out to other cultivators who will produce the fruitage in the
season.”
1262 Listen to another parable: Jesus is about to do something similar to the prophet Nathan: tell a story about these men
and get them to condemn themselves. The landlord is Yehowah, God of the Jews. The cultivators are those Jewish men who were responsible: the priests, scribes, and elders. The “slaves” likely included John the Baptist and his disciples as well as
Jesus’ own apostles. The “son” is Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus predicts an evil destruction upon those men. Jesus indicates his death will occur outside of Jerusalem.
|| Mark 12:10, 11; Luke 20:17, 18
MT21:42 Jesus continued speaking to them:
“Did you never read in the Scripture,1263
‘A Stone which the builders rejected has become a head-corner.1264
This [head-corner stone] originates with1265 YHWH1266 and it is an awesome [head-corner] in our eyes.’1267
[Psalm 118:22, 23]
1263 In the Scripture: This must irritate these theologians who prided themselves in their reading of Scripture. Jesus quotes
Psalm 118:22, 23. This is significant for this psalm is sung as a hymn following the Passover. Compare also Isaiah 28:16. 1264
A head-corner: Or, KJV: head of the corner; NASB: chief corner-stone. 1265 Originates with:
Or, KJV: this is the Lord’s doing. 1266 YHWH: The Tetragram occurs here in the Hebrew Text
as well as the Jewish Greek Septuagint. It is doubtful Jesus uttered the noma sagrada though some believe he did.
MT21:43 Because of this I tell you: the Kingdom of The God will be removed
from you1268 and given to a nation producing [Kingdom] fruitage.1269
1267
It is an awesome [head-corner] in our eyes: NEB: and it is wonderful in our eyes. 1268 Will be removed from you: Fleshly Israel will lose the “kingdom” promised to them (Exodus 19:5).
Compare 1 Peter 2:4-10.
MT21:44 And
the person who falls upon this Stone will be shattered; but whoever [the Stone] falls on will be smashed.”12701269 A nation producing [Kingdom] fruitage: Or, RIEU: a people who produce
the kingdom’s fruitage; WMS: to a people who will pay a fair rent for it. There is another “nation” who will receive the “kingdom.” 1270 Whoever [the Stone] falls on will be smashed: This may be a paraphrase of Isaiah 8:14. There is disagreement on the authority
of this verse. Compare Daniel 2:34, 44 (Luke 20:18).
|| Mark 12:12; Luke 20:19
MT21:45 Having heard these parables the chief priests and the Pharisees realized Jesus was talking about them. MT21:46 They sought to seize Jesus but they feared the crowd who considered him a prophet.
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Nazarene Commentary 2000© Mark Heber Miller ©2000 All Rights Reserved |
