The Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-11)
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. This act symbolizes His role as the humble King of peace, contrasting with earthly kings who often come with power and might.

Cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17)
Jesus drives out the money changers, declaring, My house will be called a house of prayer (Matthew 21:13). This act underscores His authority over religious practices and His desire for genuine worship.

The Withered Fig Tree (Matthew 21:18-22)
Jesus curses a barren fig tree, which withers immediately. This serves as a metaphor for the spiritual barrenness of Israel and a call to bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

The Authority of Jesus Questioned (Matthew 21:23-27)
Religious leaders challenge Jesus' authority, but He responds with wisdom, highlighting their unwillingness to accept Him as the Messiah.

Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)
This parable illustrates the importance of obedience to God's will, contrasting those who merely profess faith with those who act upon it.

Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46)
Jesus warns of the consequences of rejecting God's messengers and ultimately His Son, emphasizing the accountability of those entrusted with God's kingdom.Recognize Jesus' Authority
Acknowledge Jesus as the rightful King in every area of your life, submitting to His will and guidance.

Cultivate Genuine Worship
Ensure that your worship is sincere and not merely ritualistic, focusing on a heart that seeks to honor God.

Bear Spiritual Fruit
Examine your life for evidence of spiritual growth and fruitfulness, striving to live in a way that reflects Christ's character.

Respond with Obedience
Like the son who ultimately did his father's will, prioritize actions that align with God's commands over mere words.

Heed God's Warnings
Take seriously the warnings found in Scripture, understanding the consequences of rejecting God's truth and grace.1. Jesus
Jesus is the central figure in Matthew 21. He enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. He is depicted as the Messiah and King, who cleanses the temple and teaches with authority. The Greek name "Ἰησοῦς" (Iēsous) is derived from the Hebrew "Yeshua," meaning "Yahweh is salvation."

2. The Disciples
The disciples are followers of Jesus who accompany Him to Jerusalem. They are instructed by Jesus to fetch the donkey and colt for His entry into the city (Matthew 21:1-6).

3. The Crowds
The crowds are the people who spread their cloaks and branches on the road, shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David!" as Jesus enters Jerusalem (Matthew 21:8-9). "Hosanna" is a Hebrew expression meaning "save, please," indicating their recognition of Jesus as the Messiah.

4. The Chief Priests and Scribes
These religious leaders are mentioned as being indignant at the children shouting praises to Jesus in the temple (Matthew 21:15). They later question Jesus' authority (Matthew 21:23).

5. The Money Changers and Merchants
These individuals are in the temple courts, conducting business. Jesus drives them out, accusing them of turning the temple into a "den of robbers" (Matthew 21:12-13).

6. The Blind and the Lame
These individuals come to Jesus in the temple, and He heals them (Matthew 21:14). Their presence and healing underscore Jesus' compassion and divine authority.

7. The Children
The children in the temple cry out, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" echoing the praises of the crowd during Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:15-16).

8. The Owner of the Vineyard
In the Parable of the Tenants, the owner of the vineyard represents God. He sends servants and eventually his son to collect the fruit, symbolizing the prophets and Jesus Himself (Matthew 21:33-39).

9. The Tenants
The tenants in the parable represent the religious leaders of Israel who reject and kill the servants and the son, symbolizing their rejection of the prophets and Jesus (Matthew 21:33-39).

10. The Servants
In the parable, the servants sent by the vineyard owner represent the prophets sent by God to Israel, who were often mistreated or killed (Matthew 21:34-36).

11. The Son
The son in the parable represents Jesus, the Son of God, who is ultimately rejected and killed by the tenants (Matthew 21:37-39).1. Bethphage
^Description^: Bethphage is a village located on the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem. It is significant as the place where Jesus instructed His disciples to find a donkey and a colt for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The name "Bethphage" comes from the Aramaic "בית פגי" (Beth Pagi), meaning "house of unripe figs."

2. Mount of Olives
^Description^: The Mount of Olives is a ridge located east of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley. It holds prophetic significance in the Bible and is the location from which Jesus began His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The Greek term used is "Ὄρος τῶν Ἐλαιῶν" (Oros tōn Elaiōn), meaning "Mount of Olives."

3. Jerusalem
^Description^: Jerusalem is the central city of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple. In Matthew 21, it is where Jesus enters triumphantly, fulfilling prophecy, and later cleanses the Temple. The name "Jerusalem" is derived from the Hebrew "יְרוּשָׁלַיִם" (Yerushalayim), meaning "foundation of peace."

4. Temple
^Description^: The Temple in Jerusalem is the holy place of worship for the Jewish people. In Matthew 21, Jesus enters the Temple and drives out the money changers, declaring it a house of prayer. The Greek word used is "ἱερόν" (hieron), referring to the sacred precincts of the Temple.

5. Bethany
^Description^: Bethany is a village near Jerusalem, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. It is known as the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. In Matthew 21, Jesus lodges in Bethany after His activities in Jerusalem. The name "Bethany" comes from the Aramaic "בית עניא" (Beth Anya), meaning "house of affliction" or "house of figs."1. The Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-11)
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. The crowd spreads their cloaks and branches on the road, shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:9). The Greek word "Hosanna" (ὡσαννά) is a transliteration of the Hebrew phrase meaning "Save, please."

2. Cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12-13)
Jesus enters the temple courts and drives out those buying and selling, overturning the tables of the money changers. He declares, “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers’” (Matthew 21:13), referencing Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11.

3. Healing in the Temple (Matthew 21:14-16)
The blind and the lame come to Jesus in the temple, and He heals them. The chief priests and scribes are indignant when they see the wonderful things He does and hear the children shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Jesus responds by quoting Psalm 8:2, “From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise.”

4. The Withered Fig Tree (Matthew 21:18-22)
Jesus curses a barren fig tree, and it withers immediately. This act serves as a lesson on faith and prayer. Jesus tells His disciples, “If you have faith and do not doubt...it will be done” (Matthew 21:21).

5. Questioning of Jesus’ Authority (Matthew 21:23-27)
The chief priests and elders question Jesus’ authority. He responds with a question about John the Baptist’s baptism, which they cannot answer. Jesus then declines to tell them by what authority He does these things.

6. Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)
Jesus tells a parable about a father who asks his two sons to work in the vineyard. The first son initially refuses but later goes, while the second son agrees to go but does not. Jesus uses this parable to illustrate the repentance of tax collectors and prostitutes, who believed John the Baptist.

7. Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46)
Jesus shares a parable about a landowner who plants a vineyard and rents it to tenants. When the landowner sends servants and eventually his son to collect the fruit, the tenants beat and kill them. Jesus concludes by stating that the kingdom of God will be taken from them and given to a people who will produce its fruit. The chief priests and Pharisees realize He is speaking about them.Zechariah 9:9
The prophecy of the coming King, fulfilled in Jesus' triumphal entry.

Isaiah 56:7
God's desire for His house to be a house of prayer for all nations.

John 15:1-8
The call to abide in Christ and bear much fruit.

James 1:22
The importance of being doers of the word, not hearers only. Praise for Jesus' Kingship
Thank God for sending Jesus as the humble and righteous King who brings salvation.
Repentance for Spiritual Barrenness
Ask for forgiveness for areas of spiritual barrenness and seek God's help to bear fruit.
Commitment to Obedience
Pray for the strength and willingness to obey God's commands and live out your faith authentically.
Discernment of Authority
Request wisdom to recognize and submit to Jesus' authority in all aspects of life.

As we reflect on Matthew 21, may we be challenged to live under the authority of Christ, bearing fruit that glorifies God and impacts the world around us.

1. What does Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem teach us about His nature and mission?

2. How does the cleansing of the temple reflect Jesus' attitude towards religious corruption?

3. What does the cursing of the fig tree teach us about faith and fruitfulness?

4. In what ways does the Parable of the Two Sons challenge our actions versus our promises?

5. How does the Parable of the Tenants foreshadow the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion?

6. How does Jesus' reaction to the religious leaders questioning His authority provide insight into dealing with unjust criticism?

7. How can we apply the lessons from the cleansing of the temple to our modern day worship practices?

8. What are the implications of Jesus' teachings on faith for our personal prayer life?

9. How does Jesus' response to the praise of children affirm His acceptance of sincere worship?

10. How do the parables in this chapter challenge religious hypocrisy?

11. In what ways can we guard against unfruitfulness, as illustrated by the cursed fig tree?

12. How can we demonstrate a faith that moves mountains in our current circumstances?

13. How does Jesus' entry into Jerusalem model humility despite recognition?

14. In what ways does the Parable of the Two Sons challenge us to align our actions with our words?

15. How can we ensure our places of worship maintain the purity and focus that Jesus demonstrated in the temple?

16. What can we learn from the religious leaders' inability to answer Jesus' question about John's baptism?

17. How does the Parable of the Tenants reflect on the consequences of rejecting God's messengers and His Son?

18. How does the religious leaders' fear of the crowds inform us about the power of popular opinion?

19. How can we cultivate a heart that produces the fruits of the kingdom, as implied in the Parable of the Tenants?

20. How can the Triumphal Entry inspire us to publicly recognize and honor Jesus in our lives today?