Matthew 21
21
The Triumphal Entry
1 And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village before you, and right away you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her. Untie them#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“untie”) has been translated as a finite verb bring them#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation to me. 3And if anyone says anything to you, you will say, ‘The Lord needs them,’#Literally “has need of them” and he will send them at once.” 4Now this took place so that what was spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying,
5“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
and#Or “even” on a colt, the foal of a pack animal.’ ”#A quotation from Zech 9:9
6So the disciples went#*Here the participle (“went”) is translated as a finite verb because of English style and did#*Here the participle (“did”) is translated as a finite verb because of English style just as Jesus directed them, 7and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participles (“went” and “did” in the previous verse) have been translated as finite verbs brought the donkey and the colt and put their#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8And a very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation on the road. 9And the crowds who went ahead of him and the ones who followed were shouting, saying,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!#A quotation from Ps 118:25–26
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”#*Here “heaven” is understood
10And when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“entered”) he entered into Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee!”
The Cleansing of the Temple
12And Jesus entered the temple courts#*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself and drove out all those who were selling and buying in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who were selling doves. 13And he said to them, “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’#A quotation from Isa 56:7 but you have made it a cave of robbers!”
14And the blind and the lame came up to him in the temple courts#*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself and he healed them. 15But when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children shouting in the temple courts#*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant. 16And they said to him, “Do you hear what these children#*The word “children” is not in the Greek text but is implied are saying?” So Jesus said to them, “Yes, have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of children and nursing babies you have prepared for yourself praise’?”#A quotation from Ps 8:2 17And leaving them, he went outside of the city to Bethany and spent the night there.
A Barren Fig Tree Cursed
18Now early in the morning, as he#*Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was returning”) which is understood as temporal was returning to the city, he was hungry. 19And seeing a single fig tree by the road, he went to it and found nothing on it except leaves only. And he said to it, “May there be no more fruit from you forever,#Literally “to the age” and the fig tree withered at once. 20And when they#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal saw it,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation the disciples were astonished, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21And Jesus answered and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will do not only what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,” it will happen! 22And whatever you ask in prayer, if you#*Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“believe”) which is understood as conditional believe, you will receive.”
Jesus’ Authority Challenged
23And after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“arrived”) he arrived at the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him while he#*Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was teaching”) which is understood as temporal was teaching, saying, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” 24And Jesus answered and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to them, “I also will ask you one question. If you tell the answer#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation to me, I also will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25From where was the baptism of John—from heaven or from men?” And they began to discuss#*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to discuss”) this#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation among themselves, saying, “If we say ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the crowd, because they all look upon John as a prophet.” 27And they answered and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
The Parable of the Two Sons
28“Now what do you think? A man had two sons. He approached#Some manuscripts have “And he approached” the first and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“approached”) has been translated as a finite verb said, ‘Son, go work in the vineyard today.’ 29And he answered and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said, ‘I do not want to!’ But later he changed his mind and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“changed his mind”) has been translated as a finite verb went. 30And he approached the second#Some manuscripts have “the other” and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“approached”) has been translated as a finite verb said the same thing. So he answered and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said, ‘I will, sir,’ and he did not go. 31Which of the two did the will of his#Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going ahead of you into the kingdom of God! 32For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did believe him. And when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal you saw it,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation you did not even change your minds later so as to believe in him.
The Parable of the Tenant Farmers in the Vineyard
33“Listen to another parable: There was a man—a master of a house—who planted a vineyard, and put a fence around it, and dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower, and leased it to tenant farmers, and went on a journey. 34And when the season of fruit drew near, he sent his slaves to the tenant farmers to collect his fruit. 35And the tenant farmers seized his slaves, one of whom they beat, and one of whom they killed, and one of whom they stoned. 36Again, he sent other slaves, more than the first ones, and they did the same thing to them. 37So finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38But when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal the tenant farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance!’ 39And they seized him and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“seized”) has been translated as a finite verb threw him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation out of the vineyard and killed him.#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation 40Now when the master of the vineyard arrives, what will he do to those tenant farmers?” 41They said to him, “He will destroy those evil men completely and lease the vineyard to other tenant farmers who will give him the fruits in their season.” 42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures,
‘The stone which the builders rejected,
this has become the cornerstone.#Literally “the head of the corner”
This came about from the Lord,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?#A quotation from Ps 118:22–23
43For this reason, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and will be given to a people#Or “nation” who produce its fruits. 44And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, and the one on whom it falls—it will crush him!” 45And when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them, 46and although they#*Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“wanted”) which is understood as concessive wanted to arrest him, they were afraid of the crowds, because they looked upon him as a prophet.
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Matthew 21: LEB
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Matthew 21
21
Jesus' last week: his trial and death
Jesus enters Jerusalem
(Mark 11.1-11; Luke 19.28-38; John 12.12-19)
1When Jesus and his disciples came near Jerusalem, he went to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives and sent two of them on ahead. 2He told them, “Go into the next village, where you will at once find a donkey and her colt. Untie the two donkeys and bring them to me. 3If anyone asks why you are doing that, just say, ‘The Lord#21.3 The Lord: Or “the master of the donkeys”. needs them.’ Straight away he will let you have the donkeys.”
4So God's promise came true, just as the prophet had said,
5“Announce to the people#Zec 9.9.
of Jerusalem:
‘Your king is coming to you!
He is humble
and rides on a donkey.
He comes on the colt
of a donkey.’ ”
6The disciples left and did what Jesus had told them to do. 7They brought the donkey and its colt and laid some clothes on their backs. Then Jesus got on.
8Many people spread clothes in the road, while others put down branches#21.8 spread clothes…put down branches: This was one-way that the Jewish people welcomed a famous person. which they had cut from trees. 9Some people walked ahead of Jesus and others followed behind. They were all shouting,#Ps 118.25,26.
“Hooray#21.9 Hooray: This translates a word that can mean “please save us”. But it is most often used as a shout of praise to God. for the Son of David!#21.9 Son of David: See the note at 9.27.
God bless the one who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hooray for God
in heaven above!”
10When Jesus came to Jerusalem, everyone in the city was excited and asked, “Who can this be?”
11The crowd answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Jesus in the temple
(Mark 11.15-19; Luke 19.45-48; John 2.13-22)
12Jesus went into the temple and chased out everyone who was selling or buying. He turned over the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of the ones who were selling doves. 13He told them, “The Scriptures say, ‘My house should be called a place of worship.’ But you have turned it into a place where robbers hide.”#Is 56.7; Jr 7.11.
14Blind and lame people came to Jesus in the temple, and he healed them. 15But the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses were angry when they saw his miracles and heard the children shouting praises to the Son of David.#21.15 Son of David: See the note at 9.27. 16The men said to Jesus, “Don't you hear what those children are saying?”#Ps 8.2 (LXX).
“Yes, I do!” Jesus answered. “Don't you know that the Scriptures say, ‘Children and infants will sing praises’?” 17Then Jesus left the city and went out to the village of Bethany, where he spent the night.
Jesus puts a curse on a fig tree
(Mark 11.12-14,20-24)
18When Jesus got up the next morning, he was hungry. He started out for the city, 19and along the way he saw a fig tree. But when he came to it, he found only leaves and no figs. So he told the tree, “You will never again grow any fruit!” At once the fig tree dried up.
20The disciples were shocked when they saw how quickly the tree had dried up. 21But Jesus said to them, “If you have faith and don't doubt, I promise that you can do what I did to this tree. And you will be able to do even more. You can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will.#Mt 17.20; 1 Co 13.2. 22If you have faith when you pray, you will be given whatever you ask for.”
A question about Jesus' authority
(Mark 11.27-33; Luke 20.1-8)
23Jesus had gone into the temple and was teaching when the chief priests and the leaders of the people came up to him. They asked, “What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
24Jesus answered, “I have just one question to ask you. If you answer it, I will tell you where I got the right to do these things. 25Who gave John the right to baptize? Was it God in heaven or merely some human being?”
They thought it over and said to each other, “We can't say that God gave John this right. Jesus will ask us why we didn't believe John. 26On the other hand, these people think that John was a prophet, and we are afraid of what they might do to us. That's why we can't say that it was merely some human who gave John the right to baptize.” 27So they told Jesus, “We don't know.”
Jesus said, “Then I won't tell you who gave me the right to do what I do.”
A story about two sons
28Jesus said:
I will tell you a story about a man who had two sons. Then you can tell me what you think. The father went to the elder son and said, “Go and work in the vineyard today!” 29His son told him that he would not do it, but later he changed his mind and went. 30The man then told his younger son to go and work in the vineyard. The boy said he would, but he didn't go. 31Which one of the sons obeyed his father?
“The elder one,” the chief priests and leaders answered.
Then Jesus told them:
You can be sure that tax collectors#21.31 tax collectors: See the note at 5.46. and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you ever will! 32When John the Baptist showed you how to do right, you would not believe him. But these evil people did believe. And even when you saw what they did, you still would not change your minds and believe.#Lk 3.12; 7.29,30.
Tenants of a vineyard
(Mark 12.1-12; Luke 20.9-19)
33Jesus told the chief priests and leaders to listen to this story:#Is 5.1,2.
A land owner once planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it and dug a pit to crush the grapes in. He also built a lookout tower. Then he let his vineyard and left the country.
34When it was harvest time, the owner sent some servants to get his share of the grapes. 35But the tenants grabbed those servants. They beat up one, killed one, and stoned one of them to death. 36He then sent more servants than he did the first time. But the tenants treated them in the same way.
37Finally, the owner sent his own son to the tenants, because he thought they would respect him. 38But when they saw the man's son, they said, “Some day he will own the vineyard. Let's kill him! Then we can have it all for ourselves.” 39So they grabbed him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
40Jesus asked, “When the owner of that vineyard comes, what do you suppose he will do to those tenants?”
41The chief priests and leaders answered, “He will kill them in some horrible way. Then he will let his vineyard to people who will give him his share of grapes at harvest time.”
42Jesus replied, “Surely you know that the Scriptures say,#Ps 118.22,23.
‘The stone that the builders
tossed aside
is now the most important
stone of all.
This is something
the Lord has done,
and it is amazing to us.’
43I tell you that God's kingdom will be taken from you and given to people who will do what he demands. 44Anyone who stumbles over this stone will be crushed, and anyone it falls on will be smashed to pieces.”#21.44 pieces: Verse 44 is not in some manuscripts.
45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard these stories, they knew that Jesus was talking about them. 46So they looked for a way to arrest Jesus. But they were afraid to, because the people thought he was a prophet.
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