Matthew 21

Quest from You...

Anonymous said...

Can you further explain the meaning of the parable of the tenants? 33-45

Jennings response: This parable has a lot going on. Remember biblical history leading up to Jesus, many prophets from God were killed because of their message. Then Jesus was killed for His message. Here we see Jesus speaking to the chief priests and Pharisees. He is basically telling them what they have done and what their judgment will be through a parable. Also Jesus points out that the power will be taken from them and passed on to others. Jesus is moving to become the son that was killed by the tenants.

From Tommy M. In Matt 21:23-27, i don't get really why exactly Jesus refuses to tell them where he gets his authority. I thought he would want us to know that.

And later in verse 42, and many verses in NT, it sounds like Jesus is mocking us because we aren't completely educated in the scriptures. I thought that he wasn't mocking us, but just surprised that we didn't know scripture... which is the best way to learn about God and truth. Do you concur?

Jennings Response: For some reason Jesus was wanting to hide things before it was time for them to be revealed. He also seemed to wanted the people to discover on their own. Maybe this was part of a free will issue? For me it is obvious that Christ's authority comes from God. To doubt is okay, but the chief priests are trying to "destroy" Jesus by their questioning. They all ready know how Jesus is going to answer and they know if He does they can accuse Him of blasphemy. So really Jesus sees their trap and does not answer because at this point it was not yet time for Him to die. At least that is how I understand it. Hope that helps.

I think in verse 42 and others we see Jesus more teaching than mocking. Here he is speaking to people who should know the Scriptures. If I had spent time with people teaching them over and over again and they still were not understanding I may get a little upset. Maybe this is Jesus' humanity coming out. But I think what is really going on is that Jesus is making them think. Obviously they had read the Scriptures because he is talking to Jews who are raised in the Old Testament from a very young age. What he is getting them to realize is that they are not applying the Scriptures. I hope that makes since. Really the essence of all this is that Jesus wants us to see him for who he is, which is the Son of God.
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With Jesus Triumphal Entry again we see Him in a state of Humility.

Verses 12ff we see Jesus angry in the Temple.