Matthew 21:1-17
Q.1. What did Jesus ask His disciples to do at Bethphage? How does the Scripture explain His action? What was unusual about His entry into Jerusalem? – (Mt.21:1-5)
Bethphage was situated on the Mount of Olives, adjacent to Jerusalem. Before going down into Jerusalem, Jesus called two unnamed disciples to fetch a donkey and her colt (Mt.21:1-2). Only Mark and Luke mentioned the colt – on which no one has ever sat (Mk.11:2; Lk.19:30). Matthew explained – 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 Say to the daughter of Zion, `Behold your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden’ (Mt.21:4-5 c.f. Zech.9:9). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by the prophet Zechariah exactly. It was amazing because the colt was not broken in. Christ’s entry was not on a warhorse, but on a lowly beast of burden.
Q.2. What did He do with the donkey? How did the crowds respond? What was the reason for their reaction? What was their conclusion? – (Mt.21:6-11)
After cloaks were placed on the unbroken colt, Jesus then rode into Jerusalem amid great celebration (Mt.21:7-8). The crowds were ecstatic and shouted – … Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest! (Mt.21:9). They were inviting God to save them through the Messiah, the promised Son of David. They acknowledged that Jesus, by His action, was claiming to be the Coming One. Their excitement spread to the city of Jerusalem, as the people declared – … This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee (Mt.21:11).
Q.3. What did Jesus do in Jerusalem? How did He explain His extreme behaviour? Why did God give the Temple? What did Jesus claim about Himself? – (Mt.21:12-14)
Upon arriving in Jerusalem – Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves (Mt.21:12). The zeal of Jesus was so strong, that He forbad anyone to even enter the temple with their merchandise (c.f. Mk.11:16; Jn.2:17). It grieved Him that they abused the temple. He reminded them of the reason why God gave the temple to Israel and the nations – It is written, `My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den (Mt.21:13 c.f. Mk.11:17). In quoting this Scripture, Jesus was claiming that the Temple was His home. By blessing the crowds, He was using the Temple as God intended.
Q.4. How did Jesus treat the crowds? Why did the chief priests and Pharisees react to the crowds? Why? How did Jesus defend the children? Where did He retreat? – (Mt.21:14-17)
How differently Jesus treated the crowds, as – the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them (Mt.21:14). For once there was great excitement in the temple precinct. However, the chief priests and scribes were outraged, and spoke accusingly to Jesus – Do You hear what these children are saying? (Mt.21:16). He answered them with the Scriptures – Yes; have you never read, `Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’? (Mt.21:16). Luke added that Jesus replied – I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out (Lk.19:40). During the day Jesus taught in the temple, and at night He and His disciples stayed at Bethany (Mt.21:17 c.f. Lk.19:37-38, 47-48).