The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
February 1
Matthew 21:23-46
Commentary by Nick Boork
February 1
Matthew 21:23-46
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Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” 24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned 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 fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.
33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37 Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.
40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” 41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” 45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY:
This portion of Scripture is so rich I really want to cover the whole chapter!
First let's look at Jesus authority being questioned.
Now this is really amazing to me because it reveals that age old battle for control and power among men. The reason and motive for the chief priests and elders asking Jesus by what authority do you do these things was not that they were really trying to understand Jesus with an open heart with the possibility that he could be the Messiah. No, they just wanted to try to discredit Jesus by undermining his claim to be the Son of God. They did this because they were afraid of losing their place and power among the people because Jesus had so much influence that multitudes of people were now following him and paying attention to him and the priests felt their position of influence among the people was in jeopardy.
The Bible says in Matthew 27:18 that Pilate knew that they (the chief priests) had handed Him over because of envy. And also in John 11:48 it says “If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” So the chief priests betrayed Jesus Christ to be crucified because they were envious and afraid that they would lose their place of authority because of Christ's popularity.
This remains today the hidden motive for many evils that are done in churches. It's commonly referred to as religious politics and it's the reason why many churches just don't grow into what God would have them become. Because of insecure leaders, they refuse to acknowledge, equip and release into ministry younger leaders who are obviously called of God and gifted and have influence and are able to minister by the Spirit of God effectively. Don't get me wrong, I believe in submitting to spiritual authority however if a pastor is insecure he won't encourage those younger ministers that people like to listen to when they preach because they believe they can take their place.
I have seen this played out in several churches. God sends the senior pastor younger leaders with great potential. The senior leader becomes envious and insecure and does all kinds of stupid things that drive everyone away that could threaten his position. That's why I'm convinced that in order for churches to really grow to their full potential they must be led by secure leaders who themselves are constantly growing to become better leaders that reproduce themselves in others like Jesus did.
Just for the purpose of understanding how this works practically if leadership ability is between 1 to 10 and a current leader is let's say at level 6 they're not going to attract or retain leaders that are 7, 8, 9 or 10 in their leadership ability. What a senior leader needs to do is increase his or her leadership level and become very secure in who they are in Christ and their calling. If God appointed you to the position of leadership you're currently in He can keep you there as well. Part of a leader's job is to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry and then release them to do it!
Let's get back to the confrontation Jesus had with the chief priests and elders. Jesus by the wisdom of God, discerned what they were trying to do by asking him by what authority do you do these things. Jesus knew they were trying to trap Him into getting into a debate over the issue of authority. However, Jesus turned the table on them by telling them I will also ask you a question and if you answer me I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Now everyone knew that the baptism of John was something that was a move of God and everyone believed that John was a true prophet of God. This is why Jesus asked them about the baptism of John specifically. Was it from Heaven or was it from men? They must've looked really stupid in front of the people because they answered with a traditional political answer “we don't know.” In This way, Jesus delivered himself from their trap but Jesus went further and used the situation to teach two parables that reveal the spiritual condition of the nation of Israel and its spiritual leaders in relation to God and his purposes.
In the parable of the two sons one obeyed and the other disobeyed their father.
Jesus was driving home the point that many prostitutes, tax collectors and sinners repented when they heard the preaching of John the Baptist. However the religious leaders rejected John and did not endorse his ministry publicly. You see, John the Baptist was leading a spiritual revival bringing true repentance and renewal to the nation of Israel. This was supposed to be the job of the chief priests and elders. They dropped the ball so to speak spiritually and were not leading the people of God into obedience but God raised up John the Baptist in their place.
In the parable of the wicked vinedresser's it's the same point that Jesus is making that the nation of Israel has continually been disobedient to God and the prophets that He sent to them. Jesus teaches prophetically when he says that the owner of the vineyard would lastly send his son to collect the fruits that belong to him and that the vinedressers would kill the son. Then Jesus asks a question, “What will the owner of the vineyard do to those wicked vinedresser's?” Everyone listening to Jesus parable was now furious because Jesus painted a picture in their minds of the injustice and evil that have been done to the owner of the vineyard, His employees and the murder of his son. Jesus got all those listening to pronounce that judgment due to those wicked vinedresser's. They all proclaimed that the owner of the vineyard will come and destroy those wicked vinedresser's and lease out the vineyard to others that will produce and give to the owner his portion of the fruits.
Then Jesus brings to light the prophecy found in Psalm 118:22-23 which says; “The stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner this is the Lord's doing and it's marvelous in our eyes.” Then Jesus says as a result of the nation of Israel not bringing forth the fruits of the kingdom that the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to another nation bringing forth the fruits of it. That new nation is the church of Jesus Christ. This is what the apostle Peter also wrote in 1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Christians everywhere around the world makeup the church of the living God and the Bible says this church is a holy nation. Everyone who confesses faith in Jesus Christ should bring forth the fruits of the kingdom of God. What's this mean? It means living a life that reflects the Lordship of Jesus Christ to everyone around you, so that people can see you belong to Jesus Christ and you're bringing forth the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. And as the Scripture says in Romans 14:17 The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Jesus concluded by saying; “Whoever falls on the stone will be broken but upon whom this stone falls he will be crushed to power.” Jesus may be referring to the prophecy found in Daniel Chapter 2 about the stone cut out of the mountain that came down from Heaven and crushed the image referring to the kingdoms of this world. There's only two positions with Jesus Christ. People are either submitted to him as Lord of their lives or they remain rebellious to his Lordship. When Jesus says whoever falls on this stone will be broken this means that we yield our will to do the will of God in our lives but where he says he upon whom the stone falls will be ground to powder this means the final judgment of God on those that refuse to make Jesus Lord of their lives.
28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.
33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37 Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.
40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” 41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” 45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY:
This portion of Scripture is so rich I really want to cover the whole chapter!
First let's look at Jesus authority being questioned.
Now this is really amazing to me because it reveals that age old battle for control and power among men. The reason and motive for the chief priests and elders asking Jesus by what authority do you do these things was not that they were really trying to understand Jesus with an open heart with the possibility that he could be the Messiah. No, they just wanted to try to discredit Jesus by undermining his claim to be the Son of God. They did this because they were afraid of losing their place and power among the people because Jesus had so much influence that multitudes of people were now following him and paying attention to him and the priests felt their position of influence among the people was in jeopardy.
The Bible says in Matthew 27:18 that Pilate knew that they (the chief priests) had handed Him over because of envy. And also in John 11:48 it says “If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” So the chief priests betrayed Jesus Christ to be crucified because they were envious and afraid that they would lose their place of authority because of Christ's popularity.
This remains today the hidden motive for many evils that are done in churches. It's commonly referred to as religious politics and it's the reason why many churches just don't grow into what God would have them become. Because of insecure leaders, they refuse to acknowledge, equip and release into ministry younger leaders who are obviously called of God and gifted and have influence and are able to minister by the Spirit of God effectively. Don't get me wrong, I believe in submitting to spiritual authority however if a pastor is insecure he won't encourage those younger ministers that people like to listen to when they preach because they believe they can take their place.
I have seen this played out in several churches. God sends the senior pastor younger leaders with great potential. The senior leader becomes envious and insecure and does all kinds of stupid things that drive everyone away that could threaten his position. That's why I'm convinced that in order for churches to really grow to their full potential they must be led by secure leaders who themselves are constantly growing to become better leaders that reproduce themselves in others like Jesus did.
Just for the purpose of understanding how this works practically if leadership ability is between 1 to 10 and a current leader is let's say at level 6 they're not going to attract or retain leaders that are 7, 8, 9 or 10 in their leadership ability. What a senior leader needs to do is increase his or her leadership level and become very secure in who they are in Christ and their calling. If God appointed you to the position of leadership you're currently in He can keep you there as well. Part of a leader's job is to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry and then release them to do it!
Let's get back to the confrontation Jesus had with the chief priests and elders. Jesus by the wisdom of God, discerned what they were trying to do by asking him by what authority do you do these things. Jesus knew they were trying to trap Him into getting into a debate over the issue of authority. However, Jesus turned the table on them by telling them I will also ask you a question and if you answer me I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Now everyone knew that the baptism of John was something that was a move of God and everyone believed that John was a true prophet of God. This is why Jesus asked them about the baptism of John specifically. Was it from Heaven or was it from men? They must've looked really stupid in front of the people because they answered with a traditional political answer “we don't know.” In This way, Jesus delivered himself from their trap but Jesus went further and used the situation to teach two parables that reveal the spiritual condition of the nation of Israel and its spiritual leaders in relation to God and his purposes.
In the parable of the two sons one obeyed and the other disobeyed their father.
Jesus was driving home the point that many prostitutes, tax collectors and sinners repented when they heard the preaching of John the Baptist. However the religious leaders rejected John and did not endorse his ministry publicly. You see, John the Baptist was leading a spiritual revival bringing true repentance and renewal to the nation of Israel. This was supposed to be the job of the chief priests and elders. They dropped the ball so to speak spiritually and were not leading the people of God into obedience but God raised up John the Baptist in their place.
In the parable of the wicked vinedresser's it's the same point that Jesus is making that the nation of Israel has continually been disobedient to God and the prophets that He sent to them. Jesus teaches prophetically when he says that the owner of the vineyard would lastly send his son to collect the fruits that belong to him and that the vinedressers would kill the son. Then Jesus asks a question, “What will the owner of the vineyard do to those wicked vinedresser's?” Everyone listening to Jesus parable was now furious because Jesus painted a picture in their minds of the injustice and evil that have been done to the owner of the vineyard, His employees and the murder of his son. Jesus got all those listening to pronounce that judgment due to those wicked vinedresser's. They all proclaimed that the owner of the vineyard will come and destroy those wicked vinedresser's and lease out the vineyard to others that will produce and give to the owner his portion of the fruits.
Then Jesus brings to light the prophecy found in Psalm 118:22-23 which says; “The stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner this is the Lord's doing and it's marvelous in our eyes.” Then Jesus says as a result of the nation of Israel not bringing forth the fruits of the kingdom that the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to another nation bringing forth the fruits of it. That new nation is the church of Jesus Christ. This is what the apostle Peter also wrote in 1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Christians everywhere around the world makeup the church of the living God and the Bible says this church is a holy nation. Everyone who confesses faith in Jesus Christ should bring forth the fruits of the kingdom of God. What's this mean? It means living a life that reflects the Lordship of Jesus Christ to everyone around you, so that people can see you belong to Jesus Christ and you're bringing forth the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. And as the Scripture says in Romans 14:17 The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Jesus concluded by saying; “Whoever falls on the stone will be broken but upon whom this stone falls he will be crushed to power.” Jesus may be referring to the prophecy found in Daniel Chapter 2 about the stone cut out of the mountain that came down from Heaven and crushed the image referring to the kingdoms of this world. There's only two positions with Jesus Christ. People are either submitted to him as Lord of their lives or they remain rebellious to his Lordship. When Jesus says whoever falls on this stone will be broken this means that we yield our will to do the will of God in our lives but where he says he upon whom the stone falls will be ground to powder this means the final judgment of God on those that refuse to make Jesus Lord of their lives.
ORDINATION
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ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll