Matthew 21 Jesus said to them, Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? (Matthew 21:42). PREVIEW: In Matthew 21, Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, cleanses the temple, and curses a fig tree. He also shows the chief priests and Pharisees, who have rejected Him, that He is giving His vineyard over to vinedressers who will render to Him the fruits in their seasons. Matthew 21 Outline: The Triumphal Entry - Read Matthew 21:1-11 The Cleansing of the Temple - Read Matthew 21:12-17 Cursing of the Fig Tree - Read Matthew 21:18-22 Question of Jesus Authority - Read Matthew 21:23-27 Parable of the Two Sons - Read Matthew 21:28-32 Parable of the Landowner - Read Matthew 21:33-46 The Triumphal Entry - Read Matthew 21:1-11 1. Jesus, the Passover Lamb, heads into Jerusalem where He orchestrates a public demonstration by presenting Himself as King of Israel. Why does Jesus have His disciples obtain a donkey and her colt (vv. 2-4)? (See also Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9.) Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 21 Page 1
2. When a conquering king made an entrance, it was usually on a horse. Jesus enters on a colt a symbol of peace. What do the people do as Jesus enters Jerusalem on the colt (v. 8)? 3. Hosanna is from the Hebrew hôšî âh nā, Save (us), we pray, taken from Psalm 118:25. It came to be a note of praise as well as petition. What do the multitudes say as Jesus rides into Jerusalem (v. 9)? (See also Psalm 118:25-26.) The Cleansing of the Temple - Read Matthew 21:12-17 4. After riding into Jerusalem as the King of Israel, what is Jesus' first order of business (v. 12)? 5. Why does Jesus cleanse the temple of God (v. 13)? (See also Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11.) Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 21 Page 2
6. In the church, what is the temple of God? (See 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 1 Peter 2:5.) How does the King cleanse those temples today? (See Acts 15:9, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:22, 2 Peter 1:4, 2 Peter 3:14, and 1 John 3:3.) 7. After cleansing the temple of God, what is Jesus' second order of business (v. 14)? (See also Isaiah 35:5-6.) 8. How did the chief priests and scribes respond when they, saw the wonderful things that He did, (v. 15)? (See also John 1:11.) 9. What is Jesus response to those who are indignant because of the wonderful things He does and don t receive Him (v. 17)? (See also Matthew 8:34, 16:4) Cursing of the Fig Tree - Read Matthew 21:18-22 10. What do trees in the Bible often represent? (See Psalm 1:1-3; 92:12, Jeremiah 17:8, Matthew 3:10, and Jude 12.) Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 21 Page 3
11. Jesus uses the cursing of the fig tree as a lesson in faith for His disciples. What does Jesus say will be possible if they have faith and do not doubt (vv. 21-22)? (See also James 1:6.) 12. What is a person like if they have faith, but doubt? (See James 1:6-8.) 13. When it comes to praying with faith and not doubting, what does the mountain symbolize (v. 21)? (See also Matthew 17:20.) Question of Jesus Authority - Read Matthew 21:23-27 14. Jesus returns to the temple He cleansed and His authority is called into question by the chief priests and elders (v.23). How does Jesus answer their challenge to His authority (v. 24)? 15. How do the chief priests and elders answer Jesus question (vv. 25-26)? Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 21 Page 4
Parable of the Two Sons - Read Matthew 21:28-32 16. Jesus gives a parable to the chief priests and elders to illustrate that they were not obeying the will of the Father by not relenting and believe the message of John. How do the two sons answer the father s request to go, work today in my vineyard, (vv. 29-30)? 17. What are the actions of the two sons (vv.29-30)? 18. Jesus gives the meaning of the parable: It is a rebuke to the chief priests and elders for not believing John the Baptists message of repentance. What do the chief priests and elders see but not do in response to what they see (v. 32)? Parable of the Landowner - Read Matthew 21:33-46 19. In this parable, who do the landowner, vinedressers, servants, and the son of the landowner represent? 20. What do the vinedressers do to the landowner s servants and son when they are sent to collect fruit from the vineyard (v. 34-39)? Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 21 Page 5
21. After Jesus tells the parable of the landowner, He asks the chief priests and Pharisees what they think the owner of the vineyard will do to the vinedressers (v. 40). What do they admit should be done to the vinedressers (v. 41)? 22. Jesus uses a passage from Psalm 118 (the very Psalm which the multitudes were crying out when Jesus made His triumphal entry [v. 9] and the children were crying out in the temple [v. 15]) to make the chief priests and Pharisees realize that they had rejected Him and He was speaking of them. Whom does Jesus say the kingdom of God will be given to (v. 43)? (See also Matthew 8:12 and Acts 13:46.) 23. The landowner gave his vineyard over to a nation that would render to him the fruit in their seasons. Who is that nation and what fruitfulness is required of them? (See 1 Peter 2:9-10, John 15:8, Matthew 5:16, 7:20, Hebrews 13:15, and Galatians 5:22.) Engage in the discussion: facebook.com/expoundabq Matthew 21 Page 6