Matthew 21:1-17
Summary for Matt 21:1-11: 21:1–28:20 a Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem initiates Matthew’s account of how the Messiah’s suffering and resurrection establish salvation. 21:1 b Bethphage (a Hebrew name meaning house of figs) was probably located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives between Bethany and Jerusalem proper.21:3 c Jesus was revealing himself as the Lord who, as king of Israel, ascends to Mount Zion on a donkey (21:5 d; see Zech 9:9 e).
Summary for Matt 21:4-5: 21:4-5 f The Old Testament fulfillment here emphasizes the Messiah’s non-violent, humble, and saving work (see 11:28-30 g; Isa 62:11 h; Zech 9:9-10 i).
21:11 j The crowds with Jesus understood him to be a prophet, empowered by God to teach and to perform miracles.
• The description from Nazareth in Galilee highlights Jesus’ humble origins (see 2:23 k).
Summary for Matt 21:12-13: 21:12-13 l The close association of the Temple cleansing (see John 2:13-16 m) with the cursing of the fig tree (Matt 21:18-19 n) reveals Jesus as the Messiah who confronted Israel and warned that God judges those who reject the Messiah and his message. 21:12 o Buying and selling took place within the Temple complex, in the Court of the Gentiles.
• Money changers profited from the exchange of money from other currencies into official Jewish currency. Jesus criticized the commercialism that profaned the holiness of the Temple (see Mark 11:11-18 p).
21:13 q Jesus’ actions were justified, because God’s glory was being desecrated through financial exploitation.
21:15 r The Jewish leaders’ stubborn refusal to believe is contrasted with the exuberant faith and praise of little children (see 18:1-14 s; 19:13-15 t).
21:16 u Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? Jesus put this penetrating question to opponents who did not perceive the fulfillment of messianic promises in his ministry. See also 12:3 v, 5 w; 19:4 x; 21:42 y; 22:31 z.
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