光荣进圣城

21 当耶稣和门徒们临近耶路撒冷,来到橄榄山附近的伯法其的时候,耶稣派了两个门徒, 对他们说:“你们到对面的村子里去,会立刻发现一头驴拴在那里,还有一头驴驹与它在一起。把它们解开,牵来给我。 如果有人对你们说什么,你们就说‘主需要它们,会很快把它们送来的。’”

这件事发生,是为要应验那藉着先知所说的话:

“要对锡安的女儿说
‘看哪,你的王来到你这里,
是谦和的,骑着驴——
一头小驴,
就是驴的驹子。’”[a]

两个门徒就去,照着耶稣所吩咐的做了。 他们牵来了驴和驴驹,把外衣搭在它们背上,耶稣就坐在上面。 有一大群人把自己的外衣铺在路上,也有人从树上砍下枝子铺在路上。 前行后随的人群呼喊说:

“和散那归于大卫的后裔!
奉主名而来的那一位——
是蒙祝福的!
在至高之处——和散那!”[b]

10 耶稣进了耶路撒冷,全城都轰动了,人们问:“这个人是谁?” 11 众人说:“这就是从加利利拿撒勒来的先知耶稣。”

洁净圣殿

12 耶稣进了[c]圣殿,把所有在圣殿里做买卖的人都赶了出去。他推翻了兑换银币之人的桌子和卖鸽子之人的凳子, 13 对他们说:“经上记着:‘我的殿将被称为祷告的殿’[d],而你们却使它成为贼窝[e]了!”

小孩子赞美耶稣

14 耶稣在圣殿里,一些瞎眼的和瘸腿的来到他面前,耶稣就使他们痊愈了。 15 祭司长们和经文士们看见耶稣所行的神迹,又见孩子们在圣殿里呼喊说:“和散那归于大卫的后裔”,就很生气。 16 他们问耶稣:“你听见这些小孩在说什么吗?”

耶稣回答他们,说:“是的,听见了[f]。难道你们从来没有读过‘从孩子和吃奶婴儿的口中,你预备了赞美’[g]这话吗?”

17 然后,耶稣离开他们,出城到伯大尼去,在那里过夜。

不结果子的无花果树

18 清晨,回城的时候,耶稣饿了。 19 他看见路边有一棵无花果树,就上前去,可是树上除了叶子,什么也找不到。于是他对那棵树说:“你永远不会再结果子了!”那棵无花果树立刻就枯萎了。

20 门徒们看见了,感到惊奇,说:“这棵无花果树怎么立刻枯萎了呢?”

21 耶稣回答他们,说:“我确实地告诉你们:你们如果存着信而不疑惑,不仅能做我对这无花果树所做的,即使对这座山说‘愿你被挪开,被丢进海里去!’事情也将成就。 22 你们在祷告中无论求什么,只要信,就必得着。”

质疑耶稣的权柄

23 耶稣进了圣殿,正教导人的时候,祭司长们和民间的长老们前来问他:“你凭什么权柄做这些事?是谁给你这权柄的?”

24 耶稣回答他们,说:“我也要问你们一个问题,如果你们回答我,我就告诉你们我凭什么权柄做这些事。 25 约翰的洗礼是从哪里来的?是来自天上,还是来自人间呢?”

他们就彼此讨论,说:“如果我们说‘是来自天上’,他就会问我们‘那么你们为什么不相信他呢?’ 26 但如果说‘是来自人间’——我们又怕民众,因为大家都认为约翰是先知。” 27 于是他们回答耶稣,说:“我们不知道。”

耶稣就对他们说:“我也不告诉你们我凭什么权柄做这些事。”

两个儿子的比喻

28 “这件事你们怎么看?一个人有两个儿子,他前来对大儿子说:‘孩子,你今天到葡萄园去做工吧。’

29 “大儿子回答说:‘我不愿意去。’可是后来他悔改,就去了。 30 父亲前来对小儿子也说同样的话。

“小儿子回答说:‘主啊,我去。’可是他没有去。

31 “这两个儿子中,哪一个遵行父亲的意愿呢?”

他们回答说:“大儿子。”

耶稣说:“我确实地告诉你们:税吏和妓女要在你们的前面进神的国, 32 因为约翰来到你们这里指明义的道路,你们不相信他,而那些税吏和妓女们却相信了他。你们虽然看见了,后来还是没有悔改去相信他。

葡萄园主的比喻

33 “你们当听另一个比喻:有一个人,是一家的主人,他栽种了一个葡萄园,四面围上篱笆,里面挖了一个榨酒池,盖了一座守望楼,然后把葡萄园租给一些农夫,就出外旅行。 34 当收果子的季节近了,主人就派了奴仆们到那些农夫那里去收取他的果子。 35 但那些农夫抓住他的奴仆,打了一个,杀了一个,还用石头砸死一个。 36 主人又派别的奴仆去,比先前的更多,那些农夫也照样对待他们。 37 后来他差派自己的儿子到他们那里,说:‘他们一定会尊重我的儿子。’

38 “可是那些农夫看见他的儿子,就彼此说:‘这是继承人。来,我们把他杀了,占有他的继业!’ 39 于是他们抓住他,把他扔出葡萄园外,杀了。 40 那么,葡萄园的主人回来的时候,会怎么对待那些农夫呢?”

41 他们回答说:“他会狠狠地除灭那些恶人,把葡萄园另租给按时交果子的农夫们。”

42 耶稣对他们说:“难道你们从来没有读过这段经文吗?

‘工匠所弃绝的石头,
它已经成了房角的头块石头;
这是主所成就的,
在我们眼中实在奇妙!’[h]

43 为此,我告诉你们:神的国要从你们中间被夺走,赐给那结神国果子的人。 44 那跌落在这石头上的人,就将被破碎;这石头落在谁的身上,就会把谁砸得稀烂。”[i]

45 祭司长们和法利赛人听了耶稣的这些比喻,知道他是针对他们而说的, 46 就想拘捕他,可是怕民众,因为他们都认为耶稣是先知。

Footnotes

  1. 马太福音 21:5 《以赛亚书》62:11;《撒迦利亚书》9:9。
  2. 马太福音 21:9 《诗篇》118:25-26。
  3. 马太福音 21:12 有古抄本附“神的”。
  4. 马太福音 21:13 《以赛亚书》56:7。
  5. 马太福音 21:13 《耶利米书》7:11。
  6. 马太福音 21:16 听见了——辅助词语。
  7. 马太福音 21:16 《诗篇》8:2。
  8. 马太福音 21:42 《诗篇》118:22-23。
  9. 马太福音 21:44 有古抄本没有此节。

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King(A)(B)

21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives,(C) Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

This took place to fulfill(D) what was spoken through the prophet:

“Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a](E)

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks(F) on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”(G)

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c](H)

“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”(I)

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet(J) from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Jesus at the Temple(K)

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying(L) and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers(M) and the benches of those selling doves.(N) 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[e](O) but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’[f](P)

14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.(Q) 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,”(R) they were indignant.(S)

16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants
    you, Lord, have called forth your praise’[g]?”(T)

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany,(U) where he spent the night.

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree(V)

18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.(W)

20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt,(X) not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for(Y) in prayer.”

The Authority of Jesus Questioned(Z)

23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority(AA) are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”(AB)

27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’(AC)

29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors(AD) and the prostitutes(AE) are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness,(AF) and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors(AG) and the prostitutes(AH) did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent(AI) and believe him.

The Parable of the Tenants(AJ)

33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted(AK) a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower.(AL) Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.(AM) 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants(AN) to the tenants to collect his fruit.

35 “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.(AO) 36 Then he sent other servants(AP) to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

38 “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir.(AQ) Come, let’s kill him(AR) and take his inheritance.’(AS) 39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

41 “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,”(AT) they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants,(AU) who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’[h]?(AV)

43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you(AW) and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”[i](AX)

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.(AY)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 21:5 Zech. 9:9
  2. Matthew 21:9 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise; also in verse 15
  3. Matthew 21:9 Psalm 118:25,26
  4. Matthew 21:9 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise; also in verse 15
  5. Matthew 21:13 Isaiah 56:7
  6. Matthew 21:13 Jer. 7:11
  7. Matthew 21:16 Psalm 8:2 (see Septuagint)
  8. Matthew 21:42 Psalm 118:22,23
  9. Matthew 21:44 Some manuscripts do not have verse 44.

The Royal Welcome

21 1-3 When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples with these instructions: “Go over to the village across from you. You’ll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you’re doing, say, ‘The Master needs them!’ He will send them with you.”

4-5 This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet:

Tell Zion’s daughter,
“Look, your king’s on his way,
    poised and ready, mounted
On a donkey, on a colt,
    foal of a pack animal.”

6-9 The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, “Hosanna to David’s son!” “Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!” “Hosanna in highest heaven!”

10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, “What’s going on here? Who is this?”

11 The parade crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.”

He Kicked Over the Tables

12-14 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:

My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.

Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.

15-16 When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!” they were up in arms and took him to task. “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them. And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?”

17 Fed up, Jesus spun around and left the city for Bethany, where he spent the night.

The Withered Fig Tree

18-20 Early the next morning Jesus was returning to the city. He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree alongside the road, he approached it anticipating a breakfast of figs. When he got to the tree, there was nothing but fig leaves. He said, “No more figs from this tree—ever!” The fig tree withered on the spot, a dry stick. The disciples saw it happen. They rubbed their eyes, saying, “Did we really see this? A leafy tree one minute, a dry stick the next?”

21-22 But Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you’ll tell, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.”

True Authority

23 Then he was back in the Temple, teaching. The high priests and leaders of the people came up and demanded, “Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to teach here?”

24-25 Jesus responded, “First let me ask you a question. You answer my question and I’ll answer yours. About the baptism of John—who authorized it: heaven or humans?”

25-27 They were on the spot and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, “If we say ‘heaven,’ he’ll ask us why we didn’t believe him; if we say ‘humans,’ we’re up against it with the people because they all hold John up as a prophet.” They decided to concede that round to Jesus. “We don’t know,” they answered.

Jesus said, “Then neither will I answer your question.

The Story of Two Sons

28 “Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’

29 “The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went.

30 “The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went.

31-32 “Which of the two sons did what the father asked?”

They said, “The first.”

Jesus said, “Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God’s kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe him.

The Story of the Greedy Farmhands

33-34 “Here’s another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.

35-37 “The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. ‘Surely,’ he thought, ‘they will respect my son.’

38-39 “But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. ‘This is the heir! Let’s kill him and have it all for ourselves.’ They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him.

40 “Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?”

41 “He’ll kill them—a rotten bunch, and good riddance,” they answered. “Then he’ll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it’s time.”

42-44 Jesus said, “Right—and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles:

The stone the masons threw out
    is now the cornerstone.
This is God’s work;
    we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!

“This is the way it is with you. God’s kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life. Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed.”

45-46 When the religious leaders heard this story, they knew it was aimed at them. They wanted to arrest Jesus and put him in jail, but, intimidated by public opinion, they held back. Most people held him to be a prophet of God.

21 (A)И когато наближиха до Иерусалим и дойдоха до Витфагия при Елеонската планина, Иисус изпрати двама ученици,

като им каза: идете в селото, що е насреща ви, и веднага ще намерите вързана ослица и осле с нея; отвържете и докарайте Ми ги;

и, ако някой ви рече нещо, ще кажете, че те са потребни Господу; и веднага ще ги прати.

А всичко това стана, за да се сбъдне реченото чрез пророка, който казва:

(B)„кажете на дъщерята Сионова: ето, твоят Цар иде при тебе кротък, възседнал ослица и осле, син на подяремница“.

Учениците отидоха и сториха тъй, както им бе заповядал Иисус:

(C)докараха ослицата и ослето и метнаха отгоре им дрехите си, и Той седна на тях.

(D)А повечето от народа постилаше дрехите си по пътя; други пък сечаха клони от дърветата и постилаха по пътя;

(E)а народът, който вървеше отпред и който Го съпровождаше, възклицаваше и казваше: осана Сину Давидову! Благословен Идещият в име Господне! осана във висините!

10 И когато влезе в Иерусалим, цял град се потресе, и думаха: кой е Този?

11 А народът отговаряше: Този е Иисус, пророкът от Назарет Галилейски.

12 (F)И влезе Иисус в Божия храм, изпъди всички продавачи и купувачи в храма, прекатури масите на менячите и пейките на гълъбопродавците,

13 (G)и казваше им: писано е: „домът Ми дом за молитва ще се нарече“, а вие го направихте разбойнишки вертеп.

14 И дойдоха при Него в храма слепи и хроми, и Той ги изцери.

15 А първосвещениците и книжниците, като видяха чудесата, що Той стори, и децата, които викаха в храма и думаха: осана Сину Давидову! възнегодуваха

16 (H)и Му рекоха: чуваш ли, какво казват те? А Иисус им отговори: да! нима никога не сте чели: „из устата на младенци и кърмачета Ти си стъкмил похвала“?

17 И като ги остави, излезе вън от града за Витания, дето и пренощува.

18 А на утринта, връщайки се в града, огладня;

19 (I)и видя край пътя една смоковница, отиде при нея и, като не намери нищо на нея, освен едни листа, каза ѝ: занапред да няма вече плод от тебе вовеки. И смоковницата веднага изсъхна.

20 Като видяха това, учениците се почудиха и казаха: как тъй веднага изсъхна смоковницата?

21 (J)А Иисус им отговори и рече: истина ви казвам: ако имате вяра и не се усъмните, не само това, що беше извършено със смоковницата, ще извършите, но, ако и на тая планина кажете: дигни се и се хвърли в морето, – ще бъде;

22 (K)и всичко, що поискате в молитва с вяра, ще получите.

23 (L)И когато дойде Той в храма и поучаваше, пристъпиха до Него първосвещениците и стареите народни и рекоха: с каква власт вършиш това? и кой Ти е дал тая власт?

24 Иисус им отговори и рече: ще ви попитам и Аз една дума; ако Ми отговорите на нея, и Аз ще ви кажа, с каква власт върша това:

25 кръщението Иоаново откъде беше: от небето ли, или от човеците? А те разсъждаваха помежду си и думаха: ако речем – от небето, ще ни каже: а защо му не повярвахте?

26 (M)Ако ли речем – от човеците, боим се от народа, понеже всички имат Иоана за пророк.

27 И отговориха Иисусу и рекоха: не знаем. И Той им рече: и Аз ви не казвам, с каква власт върша това.

28 А как ви се струва? Един човек имаше двама сина; и отиде той при първия, та каза: чедо, иди днес работи на лозето ми.

29 Но тоя отговори и рече: не искам; а после се разкая и отиде.

30 И като дойде при другия, каза му същото. Тоя отговори и рече: ще ида, господарю, ала не отиде.

31 (N)Кой от двамата изпълни бащината воля? Отговарят Му: първият. Иисус им рече: истина ви казвам, че митарите и блудниците преварват ви в царството Божие;

32 (O)защото дойде при вас Иоан по пътя на праведността, и вие му не повярвахте, а митарите и блудниците му повярваха; вие пък, като видяхте това, не се разкаяхте отпосле, за да му повярвате.

33 (P)Чуйте друга притча: имаше един човек стопанин, който насади лозе, огради го с плет, изкопа в него лин, съгради кула и, като го предаде на лозари, отиде си.

34 И когато наближи гроздобер, той изпрати слугите си при лозарите, да му приберат плодовете.

35 (Q)А лозарите, като уловиха слугите му, едного набиха, другиго убиха, а трети с камъни пребиха.

36 Пак изпрати други слуги, по-много от първите; и с тях сториха същото.

37 Най-сетне изпрати при тях сина си, като каза: ще се засрамят от сина ми.

38 (R)Но лозарите, като видяха сина, казаха помежду си: този е наследникът; хайде да го убием и да присвоим наследството му.

39 (S)И, като го уловиха, изведоха вън от лозето и убиха.

40 И тъй, като си дойде господарят на лозето, какво ще направи на тия лозари?

41 Отговарят Му: злодейците ще погуби зле, а лозето ще даде на други лозари, които ще му дават овреме плодовете.

42 (T)Иисус им казва: нима не сте никога чели в Писанията: „камъкът, който отхвърлиха зидарите, той стана глава на ъгъла: това е от Господа, и е дивно в очите ни“?

43 Затова казвам ви, че царството Божие ще се вземе от вас и ще се даде на народ, който принася плодовете му;

44 (U)и който падне върху тоя камък, ще се разбие; а върху когото падне, ще го смаже.

45 И като слушаха притчите Му, първосвещениците и фарисеите разбраха, че за тях говори,

46 и дебнеха да Го уловят, ала се побояха от народа, понеже Го имаше за пророк.