< Matthew 21 >

When Jesus entered Jerusalem a week before his death, the people received him as the promised Messiah, the King of Israel v.7-9.Matthew 21:7-9XWaiting for response This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9;Zechariah 9:9XWaiting for response v.4,Matthew 21:4XWaiting for response and the acclamation of the people fulfilled Psalm 118:25-26;Psalm 118:25-26XWaiting for response v.9.Matthew 21:9XWaiting for response

The Jews polluted the worship of God, allowing traders to make merchandise of the people in the house of God. Therefore, Jesus cleansed the temple saying that they had fulfilled the prophecy in Jeremiah 7:11Jeremiah 7:11XWaiting for response in making God’s house “a den of thieves” whereas his intention is that it should be “a house of prayer for all people”. This prophecy, of Isaiah 56:7,Isaiah 56:7XWaiting for response will be fulfilled when the temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem to which all nations will repair to worship.

The religious leaders, viewing Jesus as an imposter, objected to the cries of the people, so Jesus pointed out to them that only those who receive the word of God as little children see things as they really are. Unfortunately, relatively few in Israel were of this acceptable character so, like the unfruitful fig tree, the nation was to wither away, which occurred forty years later in A.D.70.

The rulers of the Jews had authority over the people with the responsibility of determining whether a prophet was from God v.23.Matthew 21:23XWaiting for response Although they rejected John the Baptist they feared to reveal their judgment because the people accepted him as a true prophet v.26.Matthew 21:26XWaiting for response Jesus highlighted this dereliction of duty v.24-25Matthew 21:24-25XWaiting for response when they challenged his authority which, supported by miracles, was manifestly from God. These Jewish leaders were of the class of people who say they will obey God’s commands, but fail to do so. Their ancestors had persecuted and killed God’s prophets v.35Matthew 21:35XWaiting for response and they themselves would murder God’s son, the heir of his kingdom v.38-39.Matthew 21:38-39XWaiting for response Therefore, said Jesus, the kingdom would be taken from them and great punishments would come upon them v.41,44,Matthew 21:41,44XWaiting for response fulfilled in A.D.70. Nevertheless, there were others who did obey, even if at first they were publicans, harlots, or sinners v.31-32.Matthew 21:31-32XWaiting for response These repented and reformed their lives and would go into the kingdom of God ahead of the Jewish rulers (e.g. Matthew 9:10).Matthew 9:10XWaiting for response The kingdom, said Jesus, would be taken from these rulers and given to others, both Jews and Gentiles, who would bring forth fruits acceptable to God v.43.Matthew 21:43XWaiting for response

One of the symbols used to represent Jesus in the scriptures is “a stone”, e.g. the corner stone of God’s house Psalm 118:22-23.Psalm 118:22-23XWaiting for response Those in Israel charged with building up God’s house rejected this chosen corner stone. Nevertheless Jesus would be exalted to head God’s household, and he would, in the day of judgment, be a stone of affliction, grinding the wicked to powder.

The Romans first were given the kingdom of God (Israel) and they punished the Jews in AD70 by scattering them among the nations.