The mouths of little ones – Matthew 21:16
Out of the
mouths of
little children. This is part of the larger theme in Matthew that the humble, the less important people in society, and the children understand rightly who Jesus is, while the religious leaders and important people do not accept Jesus (see Matt. 11:25-27). Jesus' words here are an ironic spin on Psalm 8 — children are shown to be stronger than the false leaders by praising Jesus.
The fig tree - Matthew 21:19
The fig
tree withered. This story shows Jesus' control over nature. But more importantly, this story is a picture of prophetic judgment and condemnation of the false leaders in Jerusalem.
Whatever you ask – Matthew 21:22
Whatever you
ask for in
prayer,
believing, you will
receive. Here and in other places in Matthew, Jesus commended those who trust God in prayer (Matt. 8:10; 9:2,22,29; 15:28; 17:20). While Jesus was encouraging his disciples to trust their heavenly Father to provide for their needs (Matt. 6:19-34; 7:7-11), all faithful prayers exist in submission to a larger reality of submission to God's sovereign plan (see Matt. 26:39). The main point of Jesus' saying here is the replacement of the Temple and its leaders with Jesus' disciples who trust in him by faith.
By what authority - Matthew 21:23
By what authority. Jesus' prophetic actions and words were upsetting to the Jewish leadership and so they challenged him. Matthew has already shown by what authority Jesus is at work — God the Father himself (Matt. 3:17; 9:6; 17:5)! Matthew's Gospel concludes by emphasizing Jesus' universal authority (Matt. 28:18).
From heaven or men? – Matthew 21:25
from heaven or from
men. This expression contrasts whether someone's authority comes from God (represented by "
heaven" here) or from merely human tradition and wisdom.
The Sonship Parables - Matthew 21:28-22:14
While in deep conflict with the Jewish leadership Jesus told three parables using stories about sons. Each of these sonship parables escalate in significance and pronounce judgment on the Jewish leadership for not being faithful and fruitful toward God.
His father's will – Matthew 21:31
Did his
father's will. The point of this parable is that merely saying that you are going to be obedient is not the same thing as obeying God's will from a humble and repentant heart (see Matt. 12:50).
Tax collectors and prostitutes – Matthew 21:31
Tax
collectors and
prostitutes. Jesus used two categories of notoriously sinful people to shame the Jewish leaders who look righteous and claim to be righteous but who do not repent and do God's will (Matt. 21:32).
Vineyard, hedge, winepress - Matthew 21:33-46
Vineyard …
hedge …
winepress. These words come from an earlier parable of judgment against unfaithful Israel from Isaiah's day (Isa. 5:1-7). By using the same words Jesus connected his words with Isaiah's prophetic authority.
The heir – Matthew 21:38
Take over the
inheritance. The wicked servants thought that if they killed the only remaining heir of the absent landowner that they could take full possession of the land and its produce.
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