Chapter 21:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Malachi Mark
Matthew 21
Concise Complete
Christ enters Jerusalem. (1-11) He drives out those who
profaned the temple. (12-17) The barren fig-tree cursed. (18-22) Jesus'
discourse in the temple. (23-27) The parable of the two sons. (28-32) The
parable of the wicked husbandmen. (33-46)
Verses 1-11 This
coming of Christ was described by the prophet Zechariah,
zechariah 9:9 . When
Christ would appear in his glory, it is in his meekness, not in his majesty, in
mercy to work salvation. As meekness and outward poverty were fully seen in
Zion's King, and marked his triumphal entrance to Jerusalem, how wrong
covetousness, ambition, and the pride of life must be in Zion's citizens! They
brought the ass, but Jesus did not use it without the owner's consent. The
trappings were such as came to hand. We must not think the clothes on our backs
too dear to part with for the service of Christ. The chief priests and the
elders afterwards joined with the multitude that abused him upon the cross; but
none of them joined the multitude that did him honour. Those that take Christ
for their King, must lay their all under his feet. Hosanna signifies, Save now,
we beseech thee! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! But of how
little value is the applause of the people! The changing multitude join the cry
of the day, whether it be Hosanna, or Crucify him. Multitudes often seem to
approve the gospel, but few become consistent disciples. When Jesus was come
into Jerusalem all the city was moved; some perhaps were moved with joy, who
waited for the Consolation of Israel; others, of the Pharisees, were moved with
envy. So various are the motions in the minds of men upon the approach of
Christ's kingdom.
Verses 12-17
Christ found some of the courts of the temple turned into a market for cattle
and things used in the sacrifices, and partly occupied by the money-changers.
Our Lord drove them from the place, as he had done at his entering upon his
ministry,
john 2:13-17
. His works testified of him more than the hosannas; and his healing in the
temple was the fulfilling the promise, that the glory of the latter house should
be greater than the glory of the former. If Christ came now into many parts of
his visible church, how many secret evils he would discover and cleanse! And how
many things daily practised under the cloak of religion, would he show to be
more suitable to a den of thieves than to a house of prayer!
Verses 18-22
This cursing of the barren fig-tree represents the state of hypocrites in
general, and so teaches us that Christ looks for the power of religion in those
who profess it, and the savour of it from those that have the show of it. His
just expectations from flourishing professors are often disappointed; he comes
to many, seeking fruit, and finds leaves only. A false profession commonly
withers in this world, and it is the effect of Christ's curse. The fig-tree that
had no fruit, soon lost its leaves. This represents the state of the nation and
people of the Jews in particular. Our Lord Jesus found among them nothing but
leaves. And after they rejected Christ, blindness and hardness grew upon them,
till they were undone, and their place and nation rooted up. The Lord was
righteous in it. Let us greatly fear the doom denounced on the barren fig-tree.
Verses 23-27 As
our Lord now openly appeared as the Messiah, the chief priests and scribes were
much offended, especially because he exposed and removed the abuses they
encouraged. Our Lord asked what they thought of John's ministry and baptism.
Many are more afraid of the shame of lying than of the sin, and therefore
scruple not to speak what they know to be false, as to their own thoughts,
affections, and intentions, or their remembering and forgetting. Our Lord
refused to answer their inquiry. It is best to shun needless disputes with
wicked opposers.
Verses 28-32
Parables which give reproof, speak plainly to the offenders, and judge them out
of their own mouths. The parable of the two sons sent to work in the vineyard,
is to show that those who knew not John's baptism to be of God, were shamed by
those who knew it, and owned it. The whole human race are like children whom the
Lord has brought up, but they have rebelled against him, only some are more
plausible in their disobedience than others. And it often happens, that the
daring rebel is brought to repentance and becomes the Lord's servant, while the
formalist grows hardened in pride and enmity.
Verses 33-46
This parable plainly sets forth the sin and ruin of the Jewish nation; and what
is spoken to convict them, is spoken to caution all that enjoy the privileges of
the outward church. As men treat God's people, they would treat Christ himself,
if he were with them. How can we, if faithful to his cause, expect a favourable
reception from a wicked world, or from ungodly professors of Christianity! And
let us ask ourselves, whether we who have the vineyard and all its advantages,
render fruits in due season, as a people, as a family, or as separate persons.
Our Saviour, in his question, declares that the Lord of the vineyard will come,
and when he comes he will surely destroy the wicked. The chief priests and the
elders were the builders, and they would not admit his doctrine or laws; they
threw him aside as a despised stone. But he who was rejected by the Jews, was
embraced by the Gentiles. Christ knows who will bring forth gospel fruits in the
use of gospel means. The unbelief of sinners will be their ruin. But God has
many ways of restraining the remainders of wrath, as he has of making that which
breaks out redound to his praise. May Christ become more and more precious to
our souls, as the firm Foundation and Cornerstone of his church. May we be
willing to follow him, though despised and hated for his sake.
Chapter 21:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Malachi Mark
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
