Matthew 21 is one of the most significant and rich in spiritual teachings. In this section, you’ll delve into a perceptive and detailed analysis that will enhance your understanding of the sacred text.
With this detailed study, you’ll discover the historical context of the events that occurred, such as Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple, and the challenge of the chief priests and elders.
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem
In chapter 21 of the book of Matthew in the Bible, we find the description of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, a highly significant event for Christianity.
The account begins with Jesus instructing two disciples to bring a donkey and a colt, which were placed upon their clothes so He could ride.
With this, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of the Old Testament that said the Messiah would come to Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
The people around Jesus cut branches from trees and spread them on the ground, greeting Him as king and proclaiming “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
The symbolic act of laying their cloaks on the ground indicated their willingness to give everything they had to Jesus, recognizing His authority and power.
The event of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem is recorded in various verses of the Bible, including Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19.
Meaning of the Triumphant Entry
The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is an event filled with spiritual significance. It announces the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah by the Jews and the beginning of His final journey towards the cross.
The choice of a donkey as a means of transportation is seen as a symbol of humility, as this animal was used by common people and not by kings or powerful leaders.
Furthermore, Jesus’ attitude when entering the city on a donkey highlights His love and compassion for the simple and humble people, demonstrating that He came to earth to care for the most needy.
The triumphant entry marks the beginning of the week that would lead to the Jewish Passover and the final fulfillment of His divine mission.
Jesus’ triumphant entry is also a reminder to Christians that Jesus is the king of kings, the Savior of humanity, and the Lord of their lives.
It represents the importance of recognizing Him as such and proclaiming Him with joy and reverence.
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem is a significant event in biblical and Christian history, full of symbolism and spiritual meaning. May we always remember the magnitude of this event and recognize Jesus as our king and Savior.
Cleansing of the Temple
In chapter 21 of the book of Matthew, there is an account of the cleansing of the temple. This event occurred when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem shortly before Passover.
He entered the temple and drove out the sellers and money changers who were profiting from the sale of animals and the exchange of money.
To understand the meaning of the cleansing of the temple, it is important to note that the temple was the place where God dwelled with His people.
The presence of sellers and money changers in the sacred area of the temple was a desecration of the place of worship.
By driving them out, Jesus was showing that the place where God dwells should be pure and free from impurities. He was purifying the place for true worship of God.
The cleansing of the temple was also a symbolic act by Jesus, who was foreshadowing His own death and resurrection.
The temple would be destroyed and rebuilt in three days, just as Jesus’ body would be crucified and rise on the third day. By cleansing the temple, Jesus was pointing to His own death and resurrection as the way to true worship.
“It is written: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it a ‘den of robbers.'” (Matthew 21:13)
Jesus’ action in driving out the merchants from the temple was not a random outburst of anger.
It was an expression of His love for His Father’s house and His determination to purify it for true worship. This event became an important teaching about the meaning of God’s holiness and purity.
Parable of the Two Sons
Jesus told the parable of the two sons to teach about obedience to God. In the story, a father asks his two sons to work in the vineyard.
The first son says he won’t go, but later changes his mind and goes to work. The second son says he will go, but ends up not keeping his word.
The meaning of the parable is that those who profess their faith in God but do not practice His words are like the second son. While those who, even initially hesitant, end up following God’s path, are like the first son who, though reluctant, did his father’s will.
“Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
Therefore, the parable of the two sons makes it clear that it is important to practice obedience to God in our lives, rather than just professing our faith verbally.
Furthermore, it also teaches that God values those who, even hesitantly at first, end up following His teachings with simplicity and humility.
Parable of the Wicked Tenants
The parable of the wicked tenants is one of the most famous and impactful stories in Matthew 21. In this passage, Jesus tells the story of a landowner who plants a vineyard and leases it to some tenants to take care of while he is away.
Upon returning to take control of the vineyard and collect his share of the fruit, the landowner sends his servants to receive his portion, but they are beaten and killed by the wicked tenants.
After sending more servants, who are also treated with violence, the landowner decides to send his own son, hoping that the tenants will respect him and give him the rightful share.
However, the wicked tenants conspire and kill the son of the landowner, believing that this way the vineyard will be theirs.
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Matthew 21:42).
The story is a symbolic representation of the relationship between God and His people, represented by the wicked tenants.
Just as the wicked tenants rejected and killed the servants and the son of the landowner, God’s people rejected the prophets sent by Him and, finally, rejected His own son, Jesus Christ.
The parable teaches us about the responsibility we have to care for God’s “vineyard” and to give Him the rightful share that is due to Him.
It also warns us about the consequences of rejecting those whom God sends to guide and correct us. It is a powerful reminder to value and respect divine authority in our lives.
Teachings about the Cornerstone
In Matthew 21, Jesus speaks directly about the cornerstone, an important concept for understanding the foundation of the Christian faith.
The cornerstone is the fundamental stone that supports the entire building, symbolizing the solid and unshakable foundation upon which faith should be built.
Jesus teaches that He is the cornerstone rejected by the builders, but that He has become the main cornerstone in the construction of the Church.
This message is powerful because it shows that even though Jesus was rejected by men, His leadership and teachings continue to be the foundation of the Christian faith.
The role of Jesus as the rejected cornerstone
Jesus was rejected by men, but He is the cornerstone in the construction of the faith of all Christians. This teaching is important because it shows that the Christian faith is not based on men or institutions, but on Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ rejection by men does not diminish His importance or authority as the cornerstone in the construction of the Church.
Expanding the message of the cornerstone
The message of the cornerstone is so powerful that it applies not only to the Christian faith, but also to life in general.
The solid and firm foundation represents the importance of having a strong and reliable foundation in all aspects of life.
This means that, regardless of the difficulties or rejections we may face, we must remain firm in our values and convictions, just as Jesus remained firm in His mission, even when He was rejected by men.
Challenge of the Chief Priests and Elders
In Matthew 21, Jesus entered triumphantly into Jerusalem, drove out the merchants from the temple, and ministered to those who sought Him to hear His teachings.
This provoked the anger of the chief priests and elders of the people, who questioned His authority and challenged Him to explain where His power and authority came from.
“With what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23)
Jesus then responded with a parable, questioning the authority of the religious leaders and teaching about the importance of obedience to God.
“I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, where did it come from? From heaven or from man?” (Matthew 21:24-25)
The leaders refused to answer, fearing the reactions of the people, who believed that John the Baptist was a prophet.
Jesus then told them another parable, that of the two sons, to show that obedience to God is more important than the appearance of righteousness.
The religious leaders continued to question Jesus, and He told them the parable of the wicked tenants, where He taught that God is the owner of the vineyard and that the religious leaders should be responsible for taking care of the people, but were more concerned with their own interests.
“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.” (Matthew 21:43)
Finally, Jesus told them the parable of the wedding banquet, where He emphasized that salvation is offered to all, but many reject God’s invitation.
With their questioning, the chief priests and the elders tried to discredit Jesus’ authority, but ended up revealing their own lack of understanding and obedience to God.
Authority of Jesus
This passage is a clear demonstration of Jesus’ authority as a teacher and spiritual leader. His parables and teachings reveal the depth of His wisdom and knowledge of the Scriptures, and His ability to challenge the religious leaders of His time.
Questioning
The challenge of the chief priests and elders reveals the importance of questioning and examining spiritual matters critically and honestly.
However, the example of these religious leaders shows that questions should be asked with the intention of learning and growing spiritually, and not to try to discredit or divert others from their faith.
Parable of the Wedding Banquet
The parable of the wedding banquet is told in Matthew 22:1-14 and presents an analogy about the kingdom of heaven.
The story is about a king who prepared a great wedding banquet for his son and invited many guests. However, when the banquet was ready, the guests refused the invitation and did not attend.
As a result of the guests’ refusal, the king sent his servants to invite people from the streets to the banquet, providing appropriate clothing for all the guests. One of the guests, however, was not dressed properly and was thrown out of the banquet.
The meaning of this parable is that God invites everyone to the banquet of the kingdom of heaven, but many people refuse the invitation or do not prepare adequately for the event. God’s invitation is open to all, but it is necessary to prepare properly to participate in the banquet.
This parable also teaches about personal responsibility and the importance of accepting God’s invitation for salvation. Everyone is invited, but it is necessary to accept the invitation and be prepared for eternal life.
Furthermore, the parable highlights that salvation is not based on privileges or social status, but on accepting God’s invitation and being prepared for eternal life.
In summary, the parable of the wedding banquet teaches about the importance of accepting God’s invitation for salvation, being prepared for the kingdom of heaven, and not wavering in faith.
God’s invitation is open to all, and He desires that all people enjoy the banquet He has prepared for everyone.
In summary, Chapter 21 of Matthew in the Bible is a source of deep teachings and reflections for Christians.
Through Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where He was acclaimed by His followers, and the cleansing of the temple, where He showed His indignation at the desecration of the sacred place, we learn about Jesus’ divine nature and His authority as the Son of God.
Through the parables of the two sons and the wicked tenants, Jesus teaches us about the importance of obedience to God and the responsibility we have to care for His vineyard.
And by speaking about the cornerstone, He shows us that even though rejected by men, He is the fundamental basis of our faith.
Lastly, in the parable of the wedding banquet, we learn that God’s invitation is open to all, regardless of their origin or social status. These teachings are valuable for all of us and remind us of the importance of following God’s will in our lives.
Previous reading: Matthew 20
Next reading: Matthew 22
Read other chapters of the Gospel of Matthew