Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 21

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 21


Verse Commentaries:



Chapter Level Commentary:
Matthew 21

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
The Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem The Triumphal Entry Palm Sunday The Triumphant Entry Into Jerusalem The Messiah Enters Jerusalem Mat_21:1-11 Mat_21:1-11 Mat_21:1-11 Mat_21:1-3 Mat_21:1-9 (Mat_21:5) Mat_21:4-5 (Mat_21:5) (Mat_21:9 b) Mat_21:6-9 (Mat_21:9 b) Mat_21:10 Mat_21:10-11 Mat_21:11 The Cleansing of the Temple Jesus Cleanses the Temple Cleansing the Temple Jesus Goes to the Temple The Expulsion of the Dealers from the Temple Mat_21:12-13 Mat_21:12-17 Mat_21:12-13 Mat_21:12-13 Mat_21:12-17 Mat_21:14-17 Mat_21:14-17 Mat_21:14-15 Mat_21:16 a (Mat_21:16 b) Mat_21:16 b Mat_21:17 The Cursing of the Fig Tree The Fig Tree Fig Tree Cursed Jesus Curses the Fig Tree The Barren Fig Tree Withers, Faith and Prayer Mat_21:18-22 Mat_21:18-19 Mat_21:18-22 Mat_21:18-19 Mat_21:18-22 The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree Mat_21:20-22 Mat_21:20 Mat_21:21-22 The Authority of Jesus Questioned Jesus' Authority Questioned Jesus' Authority The Question about Jesus' Authority The Authority of Jesus is Questioned Mat_21:23-27 Mat_21:23-27 Mat_21:23-27 Mat_21:23 Mat_21:23-27 Mat_21:24-25 a Mat_21:25-27 a Mat_21:27 b The Parable of the Two Sons The Parable of the Two Sons The Parable of the Two Sons Parable of the Two Sons Mat_21:28-32 Mat_21:28-32 Mat_21:28-32 Mat_21:28-31 a Mat_21:28-32 Mat_21:31 b Mat_21:31-32 The Parable of the Vineyard and the Tenants The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers Parable of the Vineyard The Parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen Mat_21:33-44 Mat_21:33-46 Mat_21:33-41 Mat_21:33-39 Mat_21:33-43 Mat_21:40 Mat_21:41 (Mat_21:42 b) Mat_21:42-44 Mat_21:42 (Mat_21:42) Mat_21:43-44 Mat_21:45-46 Mat_21:45-46 Mat_21:45-46 Mat_21:45-46 READING CYCLE THREE (from "hyperlink")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.



CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS FOR Mat_21:1-17

A. The Triumphal Entry was a significant prophetic act. It, along with the cleansing of the temple, proclaimed Jesus to be the promised Messiah. These two events are paralleled in

1. Triumphal Entry, Mar_11:1-10, Luk_19:29-44, and Joh_12:12-19

2. Cleansing of the temple, Mar_11:15-18; Luk_19:45-47



B. There is a paradoxical aspect to the Triumphal Entry. Jesus was obviously fulfilling the prediction of Zec_9:9, and the shouts of the crowd were an affirmation of His Messiahship. However, it must be remembered that these Hallel Psalms (i.e., 113-118) were used to welcome the pilgrims every year as they came to Jerusalem for the Passover. The fact that they were applying them to a particular person was the uniqueness of this event. This is clearly seen in the consternation of the religious leaders.



C. The cleansing of the Temple recorded in Mat_21:12-17 was possibly a second cleansing by Jesus. The first one was recorded in Joh_2:13-16. I personally do not accept the tenets of literary criticism that telescope these two events into one. Although there is a problem in unifying the chronology of the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John, it still seems best to me, because of the differences between the two accounts, to hold to two cleansings, one early in His ministry and one near the end. This (along with Jesus' parables of the leadership's rejection) explains the growing animosity of the religious leaders of Jerusalem.



D. The cleansing of the temple had several theological purposes.

1. to assert Jesus' authority and Kingship

2. as an act of judgment on Israel's leaders (foreshadowing of a.d. 70)

3. as a clarification of the purpose of the temple to be a house of prayer for all people (cf. Mat_28:19; Luk_24:46-47; Act_1:8)

4. to bring the confrontation between Himself land the Jewish leaders to a climax which would result in His arrest and death (cf. Mar_10:45)

5. to show that the Jews gloried and trusted in the temple (cf. Jeremiah 7), but needed to glory in God and trust in His Messiah/King (Jesus).

6. to set the stage for the parables of the rejection of

a. Israel

b. Israel's leadership



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.

1. What is the relationship between the cleansing of the Temple, the cursing of the fig tree, and the three parables?

2. Was Jesus rejecting rabbinical Judaism, the religious leaders, or national Israel? Why?

3. How is it possible that non-religious, socially ostracized sinners, such as tax-collectors and prostitutes, can possibly be saved while such pious, conservative, biblical-oriented religious leaders are spiritually lost? (cf Mat_5:20; Mat_5:48)

4. Explain how Psa_118:22-23 is related to Jesus' statements about His rejection.

5. How are Mat_21:43-46 related to Mat_8:11-12, Mat_19:30, and Mat_20:16?