12 And G2532 Jesus G2424 went G1525 into G1519 the temple G2411 of God, G2316 and G2532 cast out G1544 all them G3956 that sold G4453 and G2532 bought G59 in G1722 the temple, G2411 and G2532 overthrew G2690 the tables G5132 of the moneychangers, G2855 and G2532 the seats G2515 of them that sold G4453 doves, G4058
And G2532 found G2147 in G1722 the temple G2411 those that sold G4453 oxen G1016 and G2532 sheep G4263 and G2532 doves, G4058 and G2532 the changers of money G2773 sitting: G2521 And G2532 when he had made G4160 a scourge G5416 of G1537 small cords, G4979 he drove G1544 them all G3956 out of G1537 the temple, G2411 and G5037 the sheep, G4263 and G2532 the oxen; G1016 and G2532 poured out G1632 the changers' G2855 money, G2772 and G2532 overthrew G390 the tables; G5132 And G2532 said G2036 unto them that sold G4453 doves, G4058 Take G142 these things G5023 hence; G1782 make G4160 not G3361 my G3450 Father's G3962 house G3624 an house G3624 of merchandise. G1712 And G1161 his G846 disciples G3101 remembered G3415 that G3754 it was G2076 written, G1125 The zeal G2205 of thine G4675 house G3624 hath eaten G2719 me G3165 up. G2719
And G2532 he went G1525 into G1519 the temple, G2411 and began G756 to cast out G1544 them that sold G4453 therein, G1722 G846 and G2532 them that bought; G59 Saying G3004 unto them, G846 It is written, G1125 My G3450 house G3624 is G2076 the house G3624 of prayer: G4335 but G1161 ye G5210 have made G4160 it G846 a den G4693 of thieves. G3027 And G2532 he taught G2258 G1321 daily G2596 G2250 in G1722 the temple. G2411 But G1161 the chief priests G749 and G2532 the scribes G1122 and G2532 the chief G4413 of the people G2992 sought G2212 to destroy G622 him, G846
And G2532 they come G2064 to G1519 Jerusalem: G2414 and G2532 Jesus G2424 went G1525 into G1519 the temple, G2411 and began G756 to cast out G1544 them that sold G4453 and G2532 bought G59 in G1722 the temple, G2411 and G2532 overthrew G2690 the tables G5132 of the moneychangers, G2855 and G2532 the seats G2515 of them G846 that sold G4453 doves; G4058 And G2532 would G863 not G3756 suffer G863 that G2443 any man G5100 should carry G1308 any vessel G4632 through G1223 the temple. G2411 And G2532 he taught, G1321 saying G3004 unto them, G846 Is it G1125 not G3756 written, G1125 G3754 My G3450 house G3624 shall be called G2564 of all G3956 nations G1484 the house G3624 of prayer? G4335 but G1161 ye G5210 have made G4160 it G846 a den G4693 of thieves. G3027 And G2532 the scribes G1122 and G2532 chief priests G749 heard G191 it, and G2532 sought G2212 how G4459 they might destroy G622 him: G846 for G1063 they feared G5399 him, G846 because G3754 all G3956 the people G3793 was astonished G1605 at G1909 his G846 doctrine. G1322
And if the burnt sacrifice H5930 for his offering H7133 to the LORD H3068 be of fowls, H5775 then he shall bring H7126 his offering H7133 of turtledoves, H8449 or of young H1121 pigeons. H3123
And if she be not able to bring H4672 H1767 H3027 a lamb, H7716 then she shall bring H3947 two H8147 turtles, H8449 or two young H1121 pigeons; H3123 the one H259 for the burnt offering, H5930 and the other H259 for a sin offering: H2403 and the priest H3548 shall make an atonement H3722 for her, and she shall be clean. H2891
And if he H3027 be not able H1767 to bring H5060 a lamb, H7716 then he shall bring H935 for H854 his trespass, H817 which he hath committed, H2398 two H8147 turtledoves, H8449 or two H8147 young H1121 pigeons, H3123 unto the LORD; H3068 one H259 for a sin offering, H2403 and the other H259 for a burnt offering. H5930
And G2532 to offer G1325 a sacrifice G2378 according G2596 to that which is said G2046 in G1722 the law G3551 of the Lord, G2962 A pair G2201 of turtledoves, G5167 or G2228 two G1417 young G3502 pigeons. G4058
This they shall give, H5414 every one that passeth H5674 among H5921 them that are numbered, H6485 half H4276 a shekel H8255 after the shekel H8255 of the sanctuary: H6944 (a shekel H8255 is twenty H6242 gerahs:) H1626 an half H4276 shekel H8255 shall be the offering H8641 of the LORD. H3068
And G2532 Jesus G2424 entered G1525 into G1519 Jerusalem, G2414 and G2532 into G1519 the temple: G2411 and G2532 when he had looked round about upon G4017 all things, G3956 and now G2235 the eventide G3798 G5610 was come, G5607 he went out G1831 unto G1519 Bethany G963 with G3326 the twelve. G1427
But if he H3027 be not able to bring H5381 two H8147 turtledoves, H8449 or two H8147 young H1121 pigeons, H3123 then he that sinned H2398 shall bring H935 for his offering H7133 the tenth H6224 part of an ephah H374 of fine flour H5560 for a sin offering; H2403 he shall put H7760 no oil H8081 upon it, neither shall he put H5414 any frankincense H3828 thereon: for it is a sin offering. H2403
Behold, I will send H7971 my messenger, H4397 and he shall prepare H6437 the way H1870 before H6440 me: and the Lord, H113 whom ye seek, H1245 shall suddenly H6597 come H935 to his temple, H1964 even the messenger H4397 of the covenant, H1285 whom ye delight H2655 in: behold, he shall come, H935 saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts. H6635 But who may abide H3557 the day H3117 of his coming? H935 and who shall stand H5975 when he appeareth? H7200 for he is like a refiner's H6884 fire, H784 and like fullers' H3526 soap: H1287
And if the way H1870 be too long H7235 for thee, so that H3588 thou art not able H3201 to carry H5375 it; or if the place H4725 be too far H7368 from thee, which the LORD H3068 thy God H430 shall choose H977 to set H7760 his name H8034 there, when the LORD H3068 thy God H430 hath blessed H1288 thee: Then shalt thou turn H5414 it into money, H3701 and bind up H6696 the money H3701 in thine hand, H3027 and shalt go H1980 unto the place H4725 which the LORD H3068 thy God H430 shall choose: H977 And thou shalt bestow H5414 that money H3701 for whatsoever thy soul H5315 lusteth after, H183 for oxen, H1241 or for sheep, H6629 or for wine, H3196 or for strong drink, H7941 or for whatsoever thy soul H5315 desireth: H7592 and thou shalt eat H398 there before H6440 the LORD H3068 thy God, H430 and thou shalt rejoice, H8055 thou, and thine household, H1004
And on the eighth H8066 day H3117 she shall take H3947 unto her two H8147 turtles, H8449 or two H8147 young H1121 pigeons, H3123 and bring H935 them unto the priest, H3548 to the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation. H4150
And on the eighth H8066 day H3117 he shall take H3947 to him two H8147 turtledoves, H8449 or two H8147 young H1121 pigeons, H3123 and come H935 before H6440 the LORD H3068 unto the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and give H5414 them unto the priest: H3548
And two H8147 turtledoves, H8449 or two H8147 young H1121 pigeons, H3123 such as he is able to get; H3027 H5381 and the one H259 shall be a sin offering, H2403 and the other H259 a burnt offering. H5930
And when the days H3117 of her purifying H2892 are fulfilled, H4390 for a son, H1121 or for a daughter, H1323 she shall bring H935 a lamb H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 for a burnt offering, H5930 and a young H1121 pigeon, H3123 or a turtledove, H8449 for a sin offering, H2403 unto the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 unto the priest: H3548
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Matthew 21
Commentary on Matthew 21 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 21
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the two main hinges upon which the door of salvation turns. He came into the world on purpose to give his life a ransom; so he had lately said, ch. 20:28. And therefore the history of his sufferings, even unto death, and his rising again, is more particularly recorded by all the evangelists than any other part of his story; and to that this evangelist now hastens apace. For at this chapter begins that which is called the passion-week. He had said to his disciples more than once, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and there the Son of man must be betrayed. A great deal of good work he did by the way, and now at length he is come up to Jerusalem; and here we have,
Mat 21:1-11
All the four evangelists take notice of this passage of Christ's riding in triumph into Jerusalem, five days before his death. The passover was on the fourteenth day of the month, and this was the tenth; on which day the law appointed that the paschal lamb should be taken up (Ex. 12:3), and set apart for that service; on that day therefore Christ our Passover, who was to be sacrificed for us, was publicly showed. So that this was the prelude to his passion. He had lodged at Bethany, a village not far from Jerusalem, for some time; at a supper there the night before Mary had anointed his feet, Jn. 12:3. But, as usual with ambassadors, he deferred his public entry till some time after his arrival. Our Lord Jesus travelled much, and his custom was to travel on foot from Galilee to Jerusalem, some scores of miles, which was both humbling and toilsome; many a dirty weary step he had when he went about doing good. How ill does it become Christians to be inordinately solicitous about their own ease and state, when their Master had so little of either! Yet once in his life he rode in triumph; and it was now when he went into Jerusalem, to suffer and die, as if that were the pleasure and preferment he courted; and then he thought himself begin to look great.
Now here we have,
The disciples who were sent to borrow this ass are directed to say, The Lord has need of him. Those that are in need, must not be ashamed to own their need, nor say, as the unjust steward, To beg I am ashamed, Lu. 16:3. On the other hand, none ought to impose upon the kindness of their friends, by going to beg or borrow when they have not need. In the borrowing of this ass,
Observe,
Now, concerning this great multitude, we are here told,
The hosannas with which Christ was attended bespeak two things:
Upon this commotion we are further told,
Mat 21:12-17
When Christ came into Jerusalem, he did not go up to the court or the palace, though he came in as a King, but into the temple; for his kingdom is spiritual, and not of this world; it is in holy things that he rules, in the temple of God that he exercises authority. Now, what did he do there?
There also he silenced the offence which the chief priests and scribes took at the acclamations with which he was attended, v. 15, 16. They that should have been most forward to give him honour, were his worst enemies.
Just now we had Christ preferring the blind and the lame before the buyers and sellers; now here we have him (v. 16), taking part with the children against priests and scribes.
Observe,
Mat 21:18-22
Observe,
Christ therefore hungered, that he might have occasion to work this miracle, in cursing and so withering the barren fig-tree, and therein might give us an instance of his justice and his power, and both instructive.
Observe,
Mat 21:23-27
Our Lord Jesus (like St. Paul after him) preached his gospel with much contention; his first appearance was in a dispute with the doctors in the temple, when he was twelve years old; and here, just before he died, we have him engaged in controversy. In this sense, he was like Jeremiah, a man of contention; not striving, but striven with. The great contenders with him, were, the chief priests and the elders, the judges of two distinct courts: the chief priests presided in the ecclesiastical court, in all matters of the Lord, as they are called; the elders of the people were judges of the civil courts, in temporal matters. See an idea of both, 2 Chr. 19:5, 8, 11. These joined to attack Christ thinking they should find or make him obnoxious either to the one or to the other. See how woefully degenerate that generation was, when the governors both in church and state, who should have been the great promoters of the Messiah's kingdom, were the great opposers of it! Here we have them disturbing him when he was preaching, v. 23. They would neither receive his instructions themselves, nor let others receive them. Observe,
Now, in this dispute with them, we may observe,
Christ had often said it, and proved it beyond contradiction, and Nicodemus, a master in Israel, had owned it, that he was a teacher sent of God (Jn. 3:2); yet, at this time of day, when that point had been so fully cleared and settled, they come to him with this question.
Now this question is concerning John's baptism, here put for his whole ministry, preaching as well as baptizing; "Was this from heaven, or of men? One of the two it must be; either what he did was of his own head, or he was sent of God to do it.' Gamaliel's argument turned upon this hinge (Acts 5:38, 39); either this counsel is of men or of God. Though that which is manifestly bad cannot be of God, yet that which is seemingly good may be of men, nay of Satan, when he transforms himself into an angel of light. This question was not at all shuffling, to evade theirs; but,
Thus Christ avoided the snare they laid for him, and justified himself in refusing to gratify them; Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. If they be so wicked and base as either not to believe, or not to confess, that the baptism of John was from heaven (though it obliged to repentance, that great duty, and sealed the kingdom of God at hand, that great promise), they were not fit to be discoursed with concerning Christ's authority; for men of such a disposition could not be convinced of the truth, nay, they could not but be provoked by it, and therefore he that is thus ignorant, let him be ignorant still. Note, Those that imprison the truths they know, in unrighteousness (either by not professing them, or by not practising according to them), are justly denied the further truths they enquire after, Rom. 1:18, 19. Take away the talent from him that buried it; those that will not see, shall not see.
Mat 21:28-32
As Christ instructed his disciples by parables, which made the instructions the more easy, so sometimes he convinced his adversaries by parables, which bring reproofs more close, and make men, or ever they are aware, to reprove themselves. Thus Nathan convinced David by a parable (2 Sa. 12:1), and the woman of Tekoa surprised him in like manner, 2 Sa. 14:2: Reproving parables are appeals to the offenders themselves, and judge them out of their own mouths. This Christ designs here, as appears by the first words (v. 28), But what think you?
In these verses we have the parable of the two sons sent to work in the vineyard, the scope of which is to show that they who knew not John's baptism to be of God, were shamed even by the publicans and harlots, who knew it, and owned it. Here is,
In Christ's application of this parable, observe.
Mat 21:33-46
This parable plainly sets forth the sin and ruin of the Jewish nation; they and their leaders are the husbandmen here; and what is spoken for conviction to them, is spoken for caution to all that enjoy the privileges of the visible church, not to be high-minded, but fear.
Now see,