RSV ~ Matthew 21 Notes

Mt 21:1-22 | ISB Notes

The first actions of Jesus during Passion Week—the triumphal entry (21:1-11), the cleansing of the temple (21:1217), and the cursing of the fig tree (21:18-22)—are all symbolic gestures. Jesus performs them as prophetic acts to demonstrate that he is the Messiah and that his coming marks the end of the Old Covenant. This provokes Jerusalem’s leadership to conspire and have him crucified (26:3-4; 27:1-2; CCC 559-60).

Mt 21:1-11 | ISB Notes

Jesus’ triumphal entry recalls Solomon’s coronation as king of Israel.

• (1) Jesus and Solomon are both the “Son of David” (21:9, 15; Prov 1:1). (2) Jesus rides a colt into Jerusalem (21:7) as Solomon rode David’s mule into the city (1 Kings 1:32-40). (3) Both processions involve a great crowd celebrating the investiture of a new king (21:8-9: 1 Kings 1:39-40). (4) In both instances, Jerusalem was in a state of commotion (21:10: 1 Kings 1:45). Similar celebrations are recounted in 1 Mac 13:51 and 2 Mac 10:6-7.

Mt 21:1 | ISB Notes

Bethphage: A small village of an uncertain location but clearly on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. Its Hebrew name means “house of figs”.

Mt 21:5 | ISB Notes

A combined reference to Is 62:11 and Zech 9:9.

• The emphasis of this citation is twofold: (1) Isaiah’s prophecy, only partially cited, speaks of a highway to Jerusalem when the Lord declares, “Behold, your salvation comes.” The similar wording of Zechariah’s prophecy connects this salvation with the coming king. (2) The uniqueness of this king is his lowliness and humility; he rides a peaceful donkey rather than a “war horse” (Zech 9:10).

Mt 21:7 | ISB Notes

he sat on them: Matthew alone mentions a donkey and a colt (cf. Mk 11:7; Lk 19:35). That Jesus sat on them refers either to the garments or indicates that he rode both beasts successively.

• Allegorically (St. Jerome, Homily 81): the two beasts are the nations that Christ brings under his Lordship. The donkey signifies Israel in its long-standing covenant with God; the colt is the younger Gentiles, unfamiliar with God and his Law. Jesus ushers them together into the Church of the heavenly Jerusalem (Gal 4:26; Heb 12:22).

Mt 21:8 | ISB Notes

spread their garments: An expression of homage for a new king.

• Similarly in 2 Kings 9:13, garments were laid on the ground for Jehu when he was hailed the king of Israel. See note on Mk 11:8.

Mt 21:9 | ISB Notes

Hosanna: A Hebrew acclamation meaning “Save us” (cf. 2 Sam 14:4; Ps 118:25).

Blessed is he: Words from Ps 118:26, the last of the Hallel Psalms (113-18), which were sung as hymns at Israel’s great feasts of Passover, Weeks, and Booths.

Mt 21:13 | ISB Notes

a house of prayer: Merchants sold sacrificial animals in the Temple as a service to pilgrims celebrating Passover. However, rates of monetary exchange and inflated prices made the selling a profitable enterprise. By citing Is 56:7, Jesus indicts the merchants for profaning the Temple. The Temple is not a common marketplace but a sanctuary for worship.

• In context (Is 56:3-8), Isaiah sees God gathering all nations to his Temple. No longer shall Gentiles be excluded from his covenant people; God will join them to himself. The prophecy looks endangered by the present circumstances—animals are being sold in the Temple’s outermost court, the court of the Gentiles. This prevents Gentiles from truly worshiping. Drawing from Isaiah, Jesus charges the establishment with obstructing God’s intentions.

a den of robbers: A citation from Jer 7:11.

• In context, Jeremiah delivered a sermon of judgment to Israelites in the Temple. They presumed that the Temple guaranteed the Israelites’ security and protection, despite their sinful living (Jer 7:4, 8-10). Because Israel disregarded Jeremiah, God destroyed Solomon’s Temple in 586 B.C. Jesus here recalls both the circumstances and outcome of Jeremiah’s prophecy: If Israel fails to repent, the Temple will again be destroyed (CCC 584).

Mt 21:16 | ISB Notes

Out of the mouths of babies: A citation from Ps 8:2 (LXX).

• In context, the psalm describes infants glorifying the Lord—a point that Jesus uses to hint at his divinity (cf. 11:25).

Mt 21:19 | ISB Notes

a fig tree: A symbol of Old Covenant Israel (Jer 8:13; Hos 9:10). Jesus curses it because it is barren and has no figs (Mk 11:21). Symbolically, then, he announces God’s curse on the unfaithful of Israel—i.e., those who refuse him as the Messiah and lack the fruits of repentance (3:8-10; 21:41, 43). Israel’s faithlessness is a negative example: the Church must learn from the nation’s mistakes and pray instead with faith and confidence (21:21; 17:20; Jas 1:6).

Mt 21:28-32 | ISB Notes

The parable of the Two Sons explains the preceding question about John the Baptist’s authority (21:25). The sons (21:28) represent two groups of people: the first are sinners who repent at the preaching of John (21:32); the second are Israel’s leaders, who refuse the Baptist’s message, even when tax collectors and harlots (21:32) respond to him (Lk 7:29-30). By following John’s way of righteousness (21:32), the former sinners do the will of the father (21:31).

Mt 21:33-41 | ISB Notes

The parable of the Wicked Tenants is an allegory—i.e., each of its details is important and symbolic (cf. Is 5:1-2). The householder is God (21:33) and the vineyard is Jerusalem (21:33). The tenants are Israel’s leaders (21:33, 45) while the servants are OT prophets persecuted for warning Israel of its sins (21:34; cf. 23:37). The son is Jesus, who will be thrown out of the vineyard and crucified outside the city (21:39; cf. Jn 19:17, 20). Because of the wickedness of the tenants, God will put them to death (21:41) when he judges Jerusalem in A.D. 70. He will entrust the New Covenant kingdom to the other tenants in the Church (16:17-19; 18:1719). See note on Mt 24:1.

Mt 21:42 | ISB Notes

in the Scriptures: A reference to Ps 118:22.

• Jesus states that he (stone) is commissioned by God (the Lord’s doing), despite his rejection by Jerusalem (the builders). Scripture thus foresees that the Messiah will paradoxically meet opposition from the leaders of his own people; conversely, the faithful see in the work of Jesus God’s marvelous deeds. Psalm 118 is elsewhere cited as biblical support for Jesus’ vindication and Resurrection (Acts 4:10-11; 1 Pet 2:7; CCC 756).

Mt 21:43 | ISB Notes

given to a nation: God will transfer his kingdom from the leaders of the Old Covenant establishment to the shepherds of the New Covenant Church (19:28; Lk 22:28-30).