Matthew Chapter 21

When we look back at verse 19 of the previous chapter we are reminded that Jesus knew that He was going to be arrested, mocked, beat, flogged and crucified; yet He marched forward to Jerusalem allowing it to happen.

And this time He didn’t enter the city quietly as He had before, but this time He made a public entrance.

We could not call it a grand entrance, not by a long shot. His entry into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey marks the last week of Jesus life on earth before the cross.

This was the time of the Passover Feast. The large number of people that were in the city were in a celebratory mood. As they saw Jesus arriving, they waved palm branches which was a sign of victory and success. And they were right to celebrate Jesus as their King, but they also did not see Him coming with any weapons to take over the city and end their Roman oppression as they assumed the Christ would do. This was their Savior riding into town, but He would become their Savior in a way they did not expect.

Let's Reflect

1. Matthew tells us that Jesus instructions to two of His disciples to go and fetch a donkey for Him to ride on was a direct fulfilment of prophecy. The prophecy can be found in Zechariah 9:9. This entry of Jesus’ has been called His “Triumphal Entry” yet He rode into the city on a donkey. There is not too much about a donkey that is regal. But at least He had recognition of His royalty from the crowd. What royal words did they shout out as He rode by on a donkey?

2. What was the demeanor of the crowd according to verse 10?

3. Those who had not heard about Jesus asked who this man was. What answer was given?

4. Jesus took authority in His temple walking in and seeing what was happening. What did He say to the money changers - people selling goods like one would sell at a farmer’s market?

5. There is just a quick little mention of more miracles taking place. And also present are the children who are still celebrating with the words they had learned when Jesus came riding in on a donkey. The children are probably still waving their palm branches. The priests and scribes were upset by all of this. What did Jesus have to say about the praise of the children?

6. The next morning Jesus was hungry (He was fully human as well as fully God). Jesus performed a miracle that was a destructive one. Another destructive miracle happened when he caused the herd of pigs to drown after demons entered them. There never was, however, a destructive miracle directed toward humans. Of all the miracles the disciples had witnessed, isn’t it ironic that they marveled at this one? And Jesus used their astonishment as another teaching moment. They learned that the result of faith is not dependent upon the amount of faith that they had, but it is dependent upon whom?

7. When the authority of Jesus was challenged, did He answer their question?

8. Jesus spoke to them in a parable about two sons. This parable showed them that they had rejected the truth. Who was the first one on the scene who came with the truth of the gospel that the religious leaders rejected?

9. In the parable of the tenants, the second person rejected was Jesus. This is a fulfilment of prophecy that said what?

10. Did the religious leaders understand the parable that Jesus told them?