Why is it significant that the crowds identified Jesus as a prophet in Matthew 21:11? \Setting the Scene in Matthew 21:11\ “And the crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’” (Matthew 21:11) \Old Testament Longing for “The Prophet”\ • Deuteronomy 18:15 – “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.” • Deuteronomy 18:18 – “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers, and I will put My words in his mouth.” • Malachi 4:5 – “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.” • By calling Jesus “prophet,” the crowds unknowingly linked Him to these long-awaited promises. \Affirmation of Jesus’ Prophetic Ministry\ • He spoke authoritatively: “Truly, truly, I say to you…” (John 3:3). • He foretold future events: destruction of the temple (Matthew 24:2), His own death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21). • He performed prophetic signs: healing the blind (Isaiah 35:5 → Matthew 11:5), cleansing the temple (Jeremiah 7:11 → Matthew 21:13). • Identifying Him as a prophet validated that His words were God’s words. \Partial Recognition, Not Full Comprehension\ • “Prophet” was true but incomplete; He is also Messiah, Son of God (Matthew 16:16). • Some in the crowd later joined cries of “Crucify Him!” (Matthew 27:22-23), showing a shallow grasp of His identity. • Their acknowledgment highlights humanity’s tendency to accept convenient truths about Jesus while missing fullness of His glory. \Link to Jesus’ Threefold Office\ • Prophet – speaks God’s Word (Hebrews 1:1-2). • Priest – offers Himself as sacrifice (Hebrews 7:27). • King – rides in triumph (Zechariah 9:9 → Matthew 21:5). • Calling Him “prophet” sets the stage for the revelation of His priestly death and royal resurrection. \Prophetic Confirmation of Divine Authority\ • Matthew presents Jesus cleansing the temple immediately afterward (Matthew 21:12-13), an act only a divinely authorized prophet could perform. • The title underscores the legitimacy of His rebuke of religious corruption. \Foreshadowing of Ultimate Revelation\ • Acts 3:22-23 links Jesus explicitly to Deuteronomy 18’s promised Prophet. • The Resurrection vindicates His prophetic role (Acts 2:30-32). • Final judgment comes through the same Prophet who now commands all to repent (Acts 17:30-31). \Takeaway for Believers\ • Receiving Jesus merely as a wise teacher is inadequate; we listen to Him as God’s final, authoritative Voice. • His prophetic words about the cross, resurrection, and future return are certain; we live in watchful obedience. • As we proclaim the gospel, we present the complete Christ—Prophet, Priest, and King—inviting others to hear and follow Him. |
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