Matthew 21 Summary - Quick Bible Study

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MATTHEW 21 SUMMARY IN 5 MINUTES

• WHEN:

  • The birth of Jesus probably occurred around 4 B.C..

  • From Luke 3:23, we know Jesus began His ministry when He was about 30 years old.

  • This would place the events of Jesus’ ministry roughly between 26-31 A.D..

• CHARACTERS:

  • Jesus - The Messiah. The Son of God.

  • Disciples - Jesus’ followers and students.

  • Chief Priests, Pharisees, and Elders - They attempted to trap Jesus in His words.

  • Salesmen and Money Changers - Corrupt men who were ripping off worshippers at the Temple.

• WHERE:

  • In chapter 20, Jesus was travelling south on His way to Jerusalem.

  • Before entered Jerusalem, He stopped at the Mount of Olives with His Apostles (just east of Jerusalem).

  • Jesus left Jerusalem and lodged in Bethany the night after purging the Temple.

  • In the morning, He returned to Jerusalem.

• OUTLINE:

  • JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM (21:1-21:11):

    • Jesus sent two disciples to find a donkey for Him to ride into Jerusalem.

    • As He entered the city, people spread cloaks and branches across His path.

    • They shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

  • JESUS PURGES THE TEMPLE OF CORRUPTION (21:12-21:17):

    • Jesus went into the Temple and threw out those who extorted worshippers through animal sales and money exchange.

    • Afterwards, handicapped people came to Jesus for healing. The priests and scribes objected, but Jesus rebuked them for their ignorance.

  • THE CURSING OF THE FIG TREE (21:18-21:22):

    • On His way back to Jerusalem, Jesus encountered a fig tree with no fruit.

    • He cursed the fig tree and it quickly withered.

    • Jesus told the disciples they could do even greater miracles if they had faith.

  • “BY WHAT AUTHORITY ARE YOU DOING THESE THINGS?” (21:23-21:27):

    • The chief priests and elders asked Jesus who/what His source of authority was for His ministry, teaching, and miracles.

    • He told them He would answer them if they would answer His question first.

    • He asked them if John’s ministry was from heaven or from man.

    • They refused to answer the question, so Jesus refused to answer theirs.

  • A PARABLE ABOUT TWO SONS (21:28-21:32):

    • A man had two sons and he told them to go work in his vineyard for the day.

    • The first told him he would not go, but then repented and went.

    • The second son told his father he would go, but then never arrived for work.

    • Jesus used this parable to illustrate that the tax collectors and the prostitutes would go into the Kingdom of Heaven before the hypocritical Jews.

  • THE PARABLE OF THE UNTRUSTWORTHY TENANTS (21:33-21:46):

    • A man hired tenants to manage his vineyard while he was in another country.

    • When harvest came, the man sent servants to collect what was owed to him.

    • The tenants refused to pay. They beat, killed, and stoned the servants.

    • Next, the vineyard owner decided to send his son, but they killed him too.

    • Jesus taught that the Jewish leaders acted just like the murderous tenants.

• BIG PICTURE:

  • The Jewish leaders of the 1st Century were repeating the same sins as their fathers (killing God’s messengers).

  • Many of the modern sins that grip our society have appeared in the past.

  • Although Satan’s tactics may differ due to cultural/technological changes, at the roots, the same vices affect men and women of every generation and culture.

• APPLICATION:

  • It is easy to see the sins of others, but more difficult to see sin within ourselves.

  • The Jewish elite easily comprehended the punishment deserved by the evil tenants.

  • But they failed to see that they deserved the same punishment.

  • Be quick to look for sin in yourself before condemning others for their faults.