Matthew 21 (résumé): The Triumphal Entry

This chapter opens with the Palm Sunday scene of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey in fulfilment of Zechariah 9:9. The crowd spread their cloaks and branches on the road and shouted: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" When Jesus got to the temple he "drove out all who were buying and selling there"... and said to them "My house will be called a house of prayer but you are making it a den of robbers!" Jesus then curses a fig tree because it had no fruit. The disciples were amazed at how quickly the tree withered and Jesus said it was a matter of faith saying: "If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer". Then the priests and elders questioned Jesus's authority so Jesus asked them a question about John the Baptist's authority but they dodged the question, so Jesus dodged theirs too! Then Jesus told the Parable of 2 sons in which he sent his son to work in the vineyard and he refused, but later changed his mind and went. Then the father sent the other son who readily said he would go but never did! So Jesus linked this to the tax collectors and prostitutes entering the kingdom. They got it wrong at first but put it right. Finally came the Parable of the Tenants in which a landowner rented out his vineyard but when he sent his servants to receive fruits the tenants seized his servants - beat one, killed another and stoned a third. When he sent another group of servants the same thing happened. So he sent his own son to sort it out and they killed him! So I tell you, said Jesus, that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to those who produce fruit.