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Jesus Enters Jerusalem as a King(A)

21 As Jesus and his ·followers [disciples] ·were coming closer to [approached] Jerusalem, they ·stopped at [L came to] Bethphage ·at [or on] the Mount of Olives. From there Jesus sent two of his ·followers [disciples] and said to them, “Go to the town ·you can see there [ahead of you; or opposite you]. When you enter it, you will ·quickly [immediately] find a donkey tied there with its colt. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks you ·why you are taking the donkeys [L anything], say that ·the Master [the Lord; or its Owner] needs them, and ·he will send them at once [or the Lord will return it soon; see Mark 11:3].”

This was to ·bring about [fulfill] what ·the prophet had said [L had been spoken through the prophet]:

“Tell ·the people of Jerusalem [L the daughter of Zion; C a metaphor for Israel],
    [L Look; T Behold,] Your king is coming to you.
He is ·gentle [humble] and ·riding [mounted] on a donkey,
    on the colt of a donkey [Is. 62:11; Zech. 9:9].’”

[So] The ·followers [disciples] went and did what Jesus ·told them to do [instructed; commanded]. They brought the donkey and the colt to Jesus and laid their ·coats [cloaks] on them, ·and Jesus sat on them. ·Many people [A very large crowd; or Most of the crowd] spread their coats on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The ·people [crowds] were walking ahead of Jesus and ·behind [following] him, shouting,

“·Praise [L Hosanna! C a Hebrew word originally used in praying for help, but by this time a joyful shout of praise to God] to the Son of David [C a title for the Messiah]!
·God bless [Blessed is] the One who comes in the name of the Lord [Ps. 118:26]!
·Praise to God in heaven [L Hosanna in the highest; C either “in highest heaven” or “to the Most High God”]!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, all the city was ·filled with excitement [stirred up; in an uproar]. The people asked, “Who is this man?”

11 The crowd said, “This man is Jesus, the prophet from the town of Nazareth in Galilee.”

Jesus Goes to the Temple(B)

12 Jesus went into the ·Temple [temple complex; C the large temple area, not the inner building where only the priests could go] and ·threw [drove] out all the people who were buying and selling there. He turned over the tables of ·those who were exchanging different kinds of money [L the moneychangers], and he upset the benches of those who were selling doves [or pigeons; C moneychangers provided particular coins needed for the temple tax; doves or pigeons were sold for sacrifices; Lev. 5:7]. 13 Jesus said to ·all the people there [L them], “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘My ·Temple [L House] will be called a house for prayer [Is. 56:7].’ But you are ·changing [making] it into a ·hideout for robbers [T den of thieves; Jer. 7:11].”

14 The blind and ·crippled people [lame] came to Jesus in the Temple [courts; v. 12], and he healed them. 15 [L But when] The ·leading [T chief] priests and the ·teachers of the law [scribes] saw that Jesus was doing wonderful things and that the children were praising him in the Temple [courts; v. 12], saying, “·Praise [L Hosanna; v. 9] to the Son of David [C a title for the Messiah; v. 9].” All these things made the priests and the ·teachers of the law [scribes] ·very angry [indignant].

16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear the things these children are saying?”

Jesus answered, “Yes. Haven’t you read in the Scriptures, ·‘You have taught children and babies to sing praises’ [L ‘From the mouths of infants and nursing babes you have prepared/created praise’; Ps. 8:2 LXX]?”

17 Then Jesus left and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

The Power of Faith(C)

18 Early the next morning, as Jesus was going back to the city, he became hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree beside the road, Jesus went to it, but ·there were no figs [L he found nothing] on the tree, only leaves [Is. 5:1–7]. So Jesus said to the tree, “·You will [May you] never again have fruit.” The tree immediately ·dried up [withered].

20 When his ·followers [disciples] saw this, they were amazed. They asked, “How did the fig tree ·dry up [wither] ·so quickly [immediately]?”

21 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will be able to do what I did to this tree and even more. You will be able to say to this mountain, ‘·Go, fall [L Be lifted up and thrown] into the sea.’ And if you have faith, it will ·happen [be done]. 22 If you ·believe [have faith], you will get anything you ask for in prayer.”

Leaders Doubt Jesus’ Authority(D)

23 Jesus went to the Temple [courts], and while he was teaching there, the ·leading [T chief] priests and the elders of the people came to him. They said, “What authority do you have to do these things? [L And] Who gave you this authority?”

24 Jesus answered, “I also will ask you a question. If you answer me, then I will tell you what authority I have to do these things. 25 Tell me: When John baptized people, did that come from ·God [L heaven; C a reverential Jewish way of referring to God] or just from ·other people [human beings]?”

They argued about Jesus’ question, saying, “If we answer, ‘John’s baptism was from ·God [L heaven],’ Jesus will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘It was from ·people [human beings],’ we are afraid of what the crowd will do because they all ·believe [think; hold] that John was a prophet.”

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

Jesus said to them, “Then I won’t tell you what authority I have to do these things.

A Story About Two Sons

28 “Tell me what you think about this: A man had two sons. He went to the ·first [elder] son and said, ‘Son, go and work today in ·my [the] vineyard.’ 29 The son answered, ‘I will not go.’ But later the son ·changed his mind [regretted/thought better of it] and went. 30 Then the father went to the other son and said, ·‘Son, go and work today in my vineyard’ [L the same thing]. The son answered, ‘Yes, sir, I will,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two sons ·obeyed [L did the will of] his father?”

·The priests and leaders [L They] answered, “The first son.”

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes ·will enter [are going into] the kingdom of God ·before you do [ahead of you]. 32 [L For] John came to show you the ·right way to live [the way/path of righteousness]. You did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. Even after seeing this, you still refused to ·change your ways [change your mind; repent] and believe him.

The Story of the Evil Farmers(E)

33 “Listen to ·this story [another parable]: There was a ·man who owned [landowner who planted] a vineyard. He put a wall around it and dug a ·hole [vat; pit] for a winepress and built a tower [C to protect against thieves; see Is. 5:1–7 for the background to this parable]. Then he leased the land to some [C tenant] farmers and left for a trip [C the owner represents God, the farmers are Israel’s religious leaders]. 34 When it was time for the grapes to be picked, he sent his ·servants [slaves] to the farmers to get his share of the grapes. 35 But the farmers grabbed the ·servants [slaves], beat one, killed another, and then ·killed a third servant with stones [L stoned a third]. 36 So the man sent some other ·servants [slaves] to the farmers, even more than he sent the first time. But the farmers did the same thing to them that they had done before [C the servants represent the prophets God sent to Israel]. 37 ·So [L Finally; Last of all] the man sent his son to the farmers [C the son represents Jesus]. He said, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the farmers saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This son will inherit the vineyard. Let’s kill him, and we will get his inheritance!’ 39 Then the farmers grabbed the son, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 So what will the ·owner [lord] of the vineyard do to these farmers when he comes?”

41 ·The priests and leaders [L They] said, “He will ·surely kill those evil men [bring those wretches/evil men to a wretched/evil end]. Then he will lease the vineyard to some other farmers who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time [C referring to the sinners who were responding to Jesus’ call for repentance, and eventually to the Gentiles who would be saved].”

42 Jesus said to them, “·Surely you have read [L Haven’t you ever read…?] this in the Scriptures:

‘The stone that the builders rejected
    became the cornerstone [capstone; keystone; L head of the corner; C the meaning is uncertain, but clearly refers to the most important stone in the building; Jesus is the rejected stone].
The Lord did this,
    and it is ·wonderful [amazing; marvelous] ·to us [for us to see; L in our eyes; Ps. 118:22–23].’

43 “·So [For this reason; Therefore] I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to ·people [a nation] who ·do the things God wants in his kingdom [L will produce its fruit]. 44 The person who ·falls on [stumbles over] this stone will be ·broken [shattered], and on whomever that stone falls, that person will be crushed.”[a]

45 When the ·leading [T chief] priests and the Pharisees heard these ·stories [parables], they knew Jesus was talking about them. 46 They ·wanted [were seeking/trying] to arrest him, but they were afraid of the ·people [crowds], because the people believed that Jesus was a prophet.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 21:44 The … crushed. Some Greek copies do not have verse 44.

The Triumphal Entry

21 And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village before you, and right away you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her. Untie them[a] and[b] bring them[c] to me. And if anyone says anything to you, you will say, ‘The Lord needs them,’[d] and he will send them at once.” Now this took place so that what was spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying,

“Say to the daughter of Zion,
    ‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
    and[e] on a colt, the foal of a pack animal.’”[f]

So the disciples went[g] and did[h] just as Jesus directed them, and[i] brought the donkey and the colt and put their[j] cloaks on them, and he sat on them. And a very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them[k] on the road. And the crowds who went ahead of him and the ones who followed were shouting, saying,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord![l]
    Hosanna in the highest heaven!”[m]

10 And when[n] he entered into Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee!”

The Cleansing of the Temple

12 And Jesus entered the temple courts[o] and drove out all those who were selling and buying in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who were selling doves. 13 And he said to them, “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[p] but you have made it a cave of robbers!”

14 And the blind and the lame came up to him in the temple courts[q] and he healed them. 15 But when[r] the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children shouting in the temple courts[s] and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant. 16 And they said to him, “Do you hear what these children[t] are saying?” So Jesus said to them, “Yes, have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of children and nursing babies you have prepared for yourself praise’?”[u] 17 And leaving them, he went outside of the city to Bethany and spent the night there.

A Barren Fig Tree Cursed

18 Now early in the morning, as he[v] was returning to the city, he was hungry. 19 And seeing a single fig tree by the road, he went to it and found nothing on it except leaves only. And he said to it, “May there be no more fruit from you forever,[w] and the fig tree withered at once. 20 And when they[x] saw it,[y] the disciples were astonished, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered and[z] said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will do not only what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,” it will happen! 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, if you[aa] believe, you will receive.”

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

23 And after[ab] he arrived at the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him while he[ac] was teaching, saying, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” 24 And Jesus answered and[ad] said to them, “I also will ask you one question. If you tell the answer[ae] to me, I also will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 From where was the baptism of John—from heaven or from men?” And they began to discuss[af] this[ag] among themselves, saying, “If we say ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the crowd, because they all look upon John as a prophet.” 27 And they answered and[ah] said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “Now what do you think? A man had two sons. He approached[ai] the first and[aj] said, ‘Son, go work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered and[ak] said, ‘I do not want to!’ But later he changed his mind and[al] went. 30 And he approached the second[am] and[an] said the same thing. So he answered and[ao] said, ‘I will, sir,’ and he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his[ap] father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going ahead of you into the kingdom of God! 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did believe him. And when[aq] you saw it,[ar] you did not even change your minds later so as to believe in him.

The Parable of the Tenant Farmers in the Vineyard

33 “Listen to another parable: There was a man—a master of a house—who planted a vineyard, and put a fence around it, and dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower, and leased it to tenant farmers, and went on a journey. 34 And when the season of fruit drew near, he sent his slaves to the tenant farmers to collect his fruit. 35 And the tenant farmers seized his slaves, one of whom they beat, and one of whom they killed, and one of whom they stoned. 36 Again, he sent other slaves, more than the first ones, and they did the same thing to them. 37 So finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when[as] the tenant farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance!’ 39 And they seized him and[at] threw him[au] out of the vineyard and killed him.[av] 40 Now when the master of the vineyard arrives, what will he do to those tenant farmers?” 41 They said to him, “He will destroy those evil men completely and lease the vineyard to other tenant farmers who will give him the fruits in their season.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures,

‘The stone which the builders rejected,
    this has become the cornerstone.[aw]
This came about from the Lord,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’?[ax]

43 For this reason, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and will be given to a people[ay] who produce its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, and the one on whom it falls—it will crush him!” 45 And when[az] the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them, 46 and although they[ba] wanted to arrest him, they were afraid of the crowds, because they looked upon him as a prophet.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 21:2 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  2. Matthew 21:2 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“untie”) has been translated as a finite verb
  3. Matthew 21:2 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  4. Matthew 21:3 Literally “has need of them”
  5. Matthew 21:5 Or “even”
  6. Matthew 21:5 A quotation from Zech 9:9
  7. Matthew 21:6 Here the participle (“went”) is translated as a finite verb because of English style
  8. Matthew 21:6 Here the participle (“did”) is translated as a finite verb because of English style
  9. Matthew 21:7 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participles (“went” and “did” in the previous verse) have been translated as finite verbs
  10. Matthew 21:7 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  11. Matthew 21:8 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  12. Matthew 21:9 A quotation from Ps 118:25–26
  13. Matthew 21:9 *Here “heaven” is understood
  14. Matthew 21:10 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“entered”)
  15. Matthew 21:12 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  16. Matthew 21:13 A quotation from Isa 56:7
  17. Matthew 21:14 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  18. Matthew 21:15 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  19. Matthew 21:15 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  20. Matthew 21:16 The word “children” is not in the Greek text but is implied
  21. Matthew 21:16 A quotation from Ps 8:2
  22. Matthew 21:18 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was returning”) which is understood as temporal
  23. Matthew 21:19 Literally “to the age”
  24. Matthew 21:20 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  25. Matthew 21:20 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  26. Matthew 21:21 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  27. Matthew 21:22 Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“believe”) which is understood as conditional
  28. Matthew 21:23 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“arrived”)
  29. Matthew 21:23 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was teaching”) which is understood as temporal
  30. Matthew 21:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  31. Matthew 21:24 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  32. Matthew 21:25 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to discuss”)
  33. Matthew 21:25 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  34. Matthew 21:27 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  35. Matthew 21:28 Some manuscripts have “And he approached”
  36. Matthew 21:28 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“approached”) has been translated as a finite verb
  37. Matthew 21:29 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  38. Matthew 21:29 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“changed his mind”) has been translated as a finite verb
  39. Matthew 21:30 Some manuscripts have “the other”
  40. Matthew 21:30 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“approached”) has been translated as a finite verb
  41. Matthew 21:30 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  42. Matthew 21:31 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  43. Matthew 21:32 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  44. Matthew 21:32 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  45. Matthew 21:38 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  46. Matthew 21:39 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“seized”) has been translated as a finite verb
  47. Matthew 21:39 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  48. Matthew 21:39 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  49. Matthew 21:42 Literally “the head of the corner”
  50. Matthew 21:42 A quotation from Ps 118:22–23
  51. Matthew 21:43 Or “nation”
  52. Matthew 21:45 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  53. Matthew 21:46 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“wanted”) which is understood as concessive

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.

Entrée triomphale de Jésus à Jérusalem

21 Lorsqu'ils approchèrent de Jérusalem et qu'ils furent arrivés à Bethphagé, vers le mont des Oliviers, Jésus envoya deux disciples en leur disant: «Allez au village qui est devant vous; vous y trouverez tout de suite une ânesse attachée et un ânon avec elle; détachez-les et amenez-les-moi. Si quelqu'un vous dit quelque chose, vous répondrez: ‘Le Seigneur en a besoin.’ Et à l'instant il les laissera aller.»

Or [tout] ceci arriva afin que s'accomplisse ce que le prophète avait annoncé: Dites à la fille de Sion: ‘Voici ton roi qui vient à toi, plein de douceur et monté sur un âne, sur un ânon, le petit d'une ânesse.’[a]

Les disciples allèrent faire ce que Jésus leur avait ordonné. Ils amenèrent l'ânesse et l'ânon, mirent leurs vêtements sur eux, et Jésus s'assit dessus. Une grande foule de gens étendirent leurs vêtements sur le chemin; d'autres coupèrent des branches aux arbres et en jonchèrent la route. Ceux qui précédaient et ceux qui suivaient Jésus criaient: «Hosanna[b] au Fils de David[c]! Béni soit celui qui vient au nom du Seigneur![d] Hosanna dans les lieux très hauts!»

10 Lorsqu'il entra dans Jérusalem, toute la ville fut troublée. On disait: «Qui est cet homme?» 11 La foule répondait: «C'est Jésus, le prophète de Nazareth en Galilée.»

Jésus dans le temple

12 Jésus entra dans le temple [de Dieu]. Il chassa tous ceux qui vendaient et qui achetaient dans le temple, et il renversa les tables des changeurs de monnaie et les sièges des vendeurs de pigeons. 13 Il leur dit: «Il est écrit: Mon temple sera appelé une maison de prière[e], mais vous, vous en avez fait une caverne de voleurs[f]

14 Des aveugles et des boiteux s'approchèrent de lui dans le temple, et il les guérit. 15 Mais les chefs des prêtres et les spécialistes de la loi furent indignés à la vue des choses merveilleuses qu'il avait faites et des enfants qui criaient dans le temple: «Hosanna au Fils de David!» 16 Ils lui dirent: «Entends-tu ce qu'ils disent?» «Oui, leur répondit Jésus. N'avez-vous jamais lu ces paroles: Tu as tiré des louanges de la bouche des enfants et des nourrissons[g] 17 Puis il les laissa et sortit de la ville pour aller à Béthanie où il passa la nuit.

18 Le lendemain matin, en retournant à la ville, il eut faim. 19 Il vit un figuier sur le bord du chemin et s'en approcha, mais il n'y trouva que des feuilles. Il lui dit: «Que jamais plus tu ne portes de fruit!» Le figuier sécha immédiatement. 20 Voyant cela, les disciples furent étonnés et dirent: «Comment ce figuier a-t-il pu devenir immédiatement sec?» 21 Jésus leur dit alors: «Je vous le dis en vérité, si vous avez de la foi et que vous ne doutez pas, non seulement vous ferez ce qui a été fait à ce figuier, mais même si vous dites à cette montagne: ‘Retire-toi de là et jette-toi dans la mer’, cela arrivera. 22 Tout ce que vous demanderez avec foi par la prière, vous le recevrez.»

23 Jésus se rendit dans le temple et, pendant qu'il enseignait, les chefs des prêtres et les anciens du peuple vinrent lui dire: «Par quelle autorité fais-tu ces choses, et qui t'a donné cette autorité?» 24 Jésus leur répondit: «Je vous poserai moi aussi une question et, si vous m'y répondez, je vous dirai par quelle autorité je fais ces choses. 25 Le baptême de Jean, d'où venait-il? Du ciel ou des hommes?» Mais ils raisonnèrent ainsi entre eux: «Si nous répondons: ‘Du ciel’, il nous dira: ‘Pourquoi donc n'avez-vous pas cru en lui?’ 26 Et si nous répondons: ‘Des hommes’, nous avons à redouter les réactions de la foule, car tous considèrent Jean comme un prophète.» 27 Alors ils répondirent à Jésus: «Nous ne savons pas.» Il leur dit à son tour: «Moi non plus, je ne vous dirai pas par quelle autorité je fais ces choses.

Parabole des deux fils

28 »Qu'en pensez-vous? Un homme avait deux fils. Il s'adressa au premier et lui dit: ‘Mon enfant, va travailler aujourd'hui dans ma vigne.’ 29 Il répondit: ‘Je ne veux pas’ mais, plus tard, il montra du regret et y alla. 30 Le père s'adressa à l'autre et lui dit la même chose. Ce fils répondit: ‘Je veux bien, seigneur’, mais il n'y alla pas. 31 Lequel des deux a fait la volonté du père?» Ils répondirent: «Le premier.» Et Jésus leur dit: «Je vous le dis en vérité, les collecteurs d’impôts et les prostituées vous précéderont dans le royaume de Dieu, 32 car Jean est venu à vous dans la voie de la justice et vous n'avez pas cru en lui. En revanche, les collecteurs d’impôts et les prostituées ont cru en lui et vous, qui avez vu cela, vous n’avez pas ensuite montré de regret pour croire en lui.

Parabole des vignerons

33 »Ecoutez une autre parabole. Il y avait un propriétaire, qui planta une vigne. Il l'entoura d'une haie, y creusa un pressoir et construisit une tour; puis il la loua à des vignerons et partit en voyage. 34 Lorsque le temps de la récolte fut arrivé, il envoya ses serviteurs vers les vignerons pour recevoir sa part de récolte. 35 Mais les vignerons s’emparèrent de ses serviteurs; ils battirent l'un, tuèrent l'autre et lapidèrent le troisième. 36 Il envoya encore d'autres serviteurs, en plus grand nombre que les premiers, et les vignerons les traitèrent de la même manière. 37 Enfin, il envoya vers eux son fils en se disant: ‘Ils auront du respect pour mon fils.’ 38 Mais, quand les vignerons virent le fils, ils se dirent entre eux: ‘Voilà l'héritier. Venez, tuons-le et emparons-nous de son héritage!’ 39 Et ils s’emparèrent de lui, le jetèrent hors de la vigne et le tuèrent. 40 Maintenant, lorsque le maître de la vigne viendra, que fera-t-il à ces vignerons?» 41 Ils lui répondirent: «Il fera mourir misérablement ces misérables et il louera la vigne à d'autres vignerons qui lui donneront sa part de récolte au moment voulu.»

42 Jésus leur dit: «N'avez-vous jamais lu dans les Ecritures: La pierre qu'ont rejetée ceux qui construisaient est devenue la pierre angulaire; c'est l’œuvre du Seigneur, et c'est un prodige à nos yeux[h]? 43 C'est pourquoi, je vous le dis, le royaume de Dieu vous sera enlevé et sera donné à un peuple qui en produira les fruits. 44 Celui qui tombera sur cette pierre s'y brisera et celui sur qui elle tombera sera écrasé.»

45 Après avoir entendu ses paraboles, les chefs des prêtres et les pharisiens comprirent que c'était d'eux que Jésus parlait. 46 Ils cherchaient à l'arrêter, mais ils redoutaient les réactions de la foule, parce qu'elle considérait Jésus comme un prophète.

Footnotes

  1. Matthieu 21:5 Dites… ânesse: citation de Zacharie 9.9 introduite par Esaïe 62.11.
  2. Matthieu 21:9 Hosanna: transcription d’une expression signifiant sauve donc! et reprise du Psaume 118.25; c’était devenu une exclamation de joie ou un cri de bienvenue.
  3. Matthieu 21:9 Fils de David: titre du Messie.
  4. Matthieu 21:9 Béni… Seigneur: citation du Psaume 118.26.
  5. Matthieu 21:13 Mon temple… prière: citation d’Esaïe 56.7.
  6. Matthieu 21:13 Une caverne de voleurs: repris de Jérémie 7.11.
  7. Matthieu 21:16 Tu as tiré… nourrissons: citation du Psaume 8.3.
  8. Matthieu 21:42 La pierre… yeux: citation du Psaume 118.22-23.