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In this lesson:
Jesus' last week. The Messiah arrives in Jerusalem on the Sunday before His crucifixion (21:1-11). Jesus clears the Temple (21:12-13). More miracles (21:14). One by one, Christ silences His enemies with logic and His knowledge of the Scriptures. They will give up trying to stump Him with trick questions by the time we get to Matthew 22:46 (lesson 45). Study Tip: Use the investigative journalists five W's approach as you study the Bible. As you read each passage, ask yourself who, what, when, where, and why. |
Jesus arrives in Jerusalem.
Christians refer to this as Palm Sunday. By the American artist Joseph Harry Anderson (1906-1996). |
Where was -
Bethphage -
A small village between Jericho and Jerusalem near Bethany on the Mount of Olives (Luke 19:29). It was in Bethphage that Jesus' disciples borrowed the donkey for Christ to ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The name Bethphage means "house of figs." The town no longer exists.
Mount of Olives -
Also known as Mount Olivet, the Mount of Olives is a small mountain situated less than two miles east of Jerusalem. In 2 Kings 23:13, it is referred to as "the mount of corruption" because King Solomon built pagan altars there (I Kings 11:7) before the birth of Christ. Jesus often spent His nights on the Mount of Olives during His visits to Jerusalem (Luke 21:37; 22:39). The Pharisees arrested Him at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Gethsemane Garden. According to Ezekiel 11:23 and Zechariah 14:4-9, Christ will return to the Mount of Olives when He comes to establish His kingdom.
Bethany -
Bethany is a small village located about fifteen furlongs (two miles) east of Jerusalem, on the road to Jericho, near the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives (John 11:18). Jesus was well received in Bethany and often stayed there when visiting nearby Jerusalem (Matthew 21:17). One of His most significant miracles, raising Lazarus from the dead, took place in Bethany (John 11:38-44; John 12:1). Today, Bethany is known as el-Azariyeh, meaning "place of Lazarus," or simply Lazariyeh.
Bethphage -
A small village between Jericho and Jerusalem near Bethany on the Mount of Olives (Luke 19:29). It was in Bethphage that Jesus' disciples borrowed the donkey for Christ to ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The name Bethphage means "house of figs." The town no longer exists.
Mount of Olives -
Also known as Mount Olivet, the Mount of Olives is a small mountain situated less than two miles east of Jerusalem. In 2 Kings 23:13, it is referred to as "the mount of corruption" because King Solomon built pagan altars there (I Kings 11:7) before the birth of Christ. Jesus often spent His nights on the Mount of Olives during His visits to Jerusalem (Luke 21:37; 22:39). The Pharisees arrested Him at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Gethsemane Garden. According to Ezekiel 11:23 and Zechariah 14:4-9, Christ will return to the Mount of Olives when He comes to establish His kingdom.
Bethany -
Bethany is a small village located about fifteen furlongs (two miles) east of Jerusalem, on the road to Jericho, near the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives (John 11:18). Jesus was well received in Bethany and often stayed there when visiting nearby Jerusalem (Matthew 21:17). One of His most significant miracles, raising Lazarus from the dead, took place in Bethany (John 11:38-44; John 12:1). Today, Bethany is known as el-Azariyeh, meaning "place of Lazarus," or simply Lazariyeh.
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Matthew 21:1-17
Adoration in Jerusalem 1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? 17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. |
Margin notes:
"Drew Nigh unto Jerusalem." (21:1) - "Drew near to Jerusalem." "The village over against you." (21:2) - "The village opposite you." "Straightway ye shall find an ass." (21:2) - "Immediately, you'll find a donkey." In Old Testament times, dignitaries often rode donkeys and mules (Judges 10:4; 1 Kings 1:33). "If any man say ought unto you." (21:3) - "If any man says anything to you." "Straightway he will send them." (21:3) - "Immediately, he will let you take them." "All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet." (21:4) - It was prophesized by the prophet Zechariah 500 years earlier. See the second Margin Note on verse 21:5 below. "Tell ye the daughter of Sion." (21:5) - "Tell Jerusalem." As originally instructed in Isaiah 62:11 seven hundred years earlier. "Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass." (21:5) - Jesus arrived riding a colt, just as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9. Fulfilling the prophecy is more evidence that Jesus is the long-awaited Savior. "Spread their garments in the way." (21:8) - "Spread their clothes in the road." Laying clothes at another's feet showed reverence (2 Kings 9:13). "Strawed them in the way." (21:8) - "Spread them in the road." "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (21:9) - Here, the crowd is chanting Psalm 118:26, an Old Testament verse prophesying the coming Messiah. Jesus also quoted this verse in Luke 13:35, and the crowd shouted it in praise of the Messiah in John 12:13. "When he was come into Jerusalem." (21:10) - Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey that had never been ridden (Mark 11:2; Luke 19:30). What do horses and donkeys do the first time someone sits on them? Do they say, "Great, I'll take you wherever you want to go," or throw the rider off? This animal allowed Jesus to ride them. They knew who He was. "Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple." (21:12) - Jesus' ministry on earth is ending, and this is the second time He cleared the Temple. The first instance occurred three years earlier, at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:13-17). "Moneychangers." (21:12) - The Temple and the merchants who sold their goods on Temple grounds, only accepted Tyrian coins. The moneychangers exchanged the Greek, Roman, and other foreign currencies of visitors for the local Jewish or Temple currency. A fee of 10-12 percent was usually charged. With so many visitors in Jerusalem for Passover, business was brisk. "Doves." (21:12) - Jews bought doves to use as sacrificial animals. "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer." (21:13) - Written in Isaiah 56:7. "Crying in the temple." (21:15) - "Shouting in the Temple." "They were sore displeased." (21:15) - "They were very displeased." "Have ye never read." (21:16) - Jesus is referring to Psalm 8:2. "Thou hast perfected praise?" (21:16) - "You brought perfect praise." |
You can read more about Jesus' grand arrival in Jerusalem in Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:29-38 and John 12:12-19.
New Living Translation
Matthew 21:1-17
Jesus' Triumphant Entry
1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.
2 "Go into the village over there," he said. "As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me.
3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will immediately let you take them."
4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,
5 "Tell the people of Israel,
'Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey-
riding on a donkey's colt.'"
6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.
7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
"Praise God for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!"
10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. "Who is this?" they asked.
11 And the crowds replied, "It's Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Jesus Clears the Temple
12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.
13 He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves!"
14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.
15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David."
But the leaders were indignant.
16 They asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?"
"Yes," Jesus replied. "Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, 'You have taught children and infants to give you praise.'"
17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus' Triumphant Entry
1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.
2 "Go into the village over there," he said. "As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me.
3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will immediately let you take them."
4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,
5 "Tell the people of Israel,
'Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey-
riding on a donkey's colt.'"
6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.
7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
"Praise God for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!"
10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. "Who is this?" they asked.
11 And the crowds replied, "It's Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Jesus Clears the Temple
12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.
13 He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves!"
14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.
15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David."
But the leaders were indignant.
16 They asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?"
"Yes," Jesus replied. "Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, 'You have taught children and infants to give you praise.'"
17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?" (21:8-10)
"And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (21:13)
"And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased." (21:15)
"And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (21:13)
"And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased." (21:15)
Today's Question:
1. Jesus usually avoided demonstrations in His honor; why did He participate in this one? (21:7-10)
Let us know if you have questions. We'll do our best to answer them.
1. Jesus usually avoided demonstrations in His honor; why did He participate in this one? (21:7-10)
Let us know if you have questions. We'll do our best to answer them.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Jesus typically avoided public demonstrations in His honor because they might incite political unrest or provoke a premature confrontation with religious authorities.
However, with His crucifixion five days away, the situation had changed. Jesus' ministry was nearing its climax, and by riding a donkey into Jerusalem, He was fulfilling the centuries old prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9. The Messiah's time had come, and He was proclaiming to all of Jerusalem that He was the long-awaited Messiah. The stage was now set for the final conflict with the religious authorities. This conflict would lead to Jesus' crucifixion.
Application thought for the day:
Although Jesus knew He would be crucified, He willingly went to Jerusalem. He went to fulfill God's plan of salvation as laid out in Scripture and out of love for mankind.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series," published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham, published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible," published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version, published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament," published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation," published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible," published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible," published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible," published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke