The Book of Matthew
Matthew was taught by Dr. James Modlish

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

21:1-5 Two disciples precede Sunday morning entry - type of 2nd advent. Two witnesses in (Rev. 11) precede advent.

[1]. Matthew lists two animals - Mark list one. Matthew two blind men - Mark one. Matthew two maniacs of Gadara- Mark one.

[2]. The answer may lie in the quote from (Zech 9:9) "having salvation." There is one salvation left to perform - that of Israel.

[3]. Every wild ass needs to be redeemed - (Ex. 13:13) with a lamb! Furthermore, it is never considered broken until it has been ridden.

The coincidences in regard to this similitude are too many to ignore. For example (as a type of the unconverted sinner), the colt is tied (Rom. 6:16-20), he needs to be loosed, they are oppose when they try to loose him (Mk. 11:5; 2 Tim. 2:25,26), but the Lord needs him (Mk. 11:3; Acts 9:15), and he is by a door (Mk. 11:4; Jn. 10:7), and it is where two ways meet (!) (Deut. 30:19; Mk. 11:4), and he is brought to Jesus (Mk. 11:6; Jn. 1:42), and re-clothed (Mk. 11:7; Isa. 61:10), and the Lord is put in control of him! (Rom. 12:1-3).

21:6-11 "Hosanna to the son of David" - cry of Bible literalists who recognize that Jesus is the promised Davidic, Jewish, Visible, Physical Messiah who is to take the literal, physical, visible kingdom of 12 literal Jewish tribes in the physical land of Palestine (Lk. 1:30; Amos 9:15).

"The Prophet." This statement is correct, in view of the fact that Christ's threefold office is fulfilled as PROPHET first. That is, on earth, in the flesh, during his earthly ministry to Israel, He is said to be a "prophet like unto Moses" (Deut. 18:15-18). In His risen state, He is a PRIEST making intercession (Heb. 3:1; 4:15,16). At His return, He comes as a KING (Rev. 19:16; Lk. 1:30,31). This Prophet-Priest-King is found in only one man in the Old Testament. Moses is a Prophet and King (Deut. 33:5), but is not allowed to offer the sacrifices of a Priest. Samuel is a Prophet and Priest, but has to choose another King (1 Sam. 11,12); however, David comes out as a holder of all three offices. He is a prophet (Acts 2:30), King (2 Sam. 1-12), and offers a sacrifice as a priest! (2 Sam. 24:25). Truly the answer to "Who is this?" is not merely "Jesus the prophet," but He is truly the "son of DAVID! Hosanna in the highest."

21:12-16

[1]. Buying and selling here is that of animals for sacrifices under the Levitical law (Lev. 1). Obviously someone was profiteering from religion.

[2]. "my home" as opposed to "my father's house" (Jn. 2"16). - 2nd coming - (Mal. 3:1).

[3]. "house of prayer" - the quote is from a passage that deals doctrinally with the Millennium reign, yet future (Isa. 56:7). It speaks of a literal sacrifice on a literal altar (Eze. 44-48) and the Sabbath is being observed (Eze. 44-48; Isa. 56:4).

[4]. "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings" quote is (Psa. 8:2) - lines up with (Isa. 29:12; Psa. 131).

[5]. The blind and babes just believe Him.

21:17-22

[1]. Jesus is looking for fruit - works are not fruit unless the Holy Spirit is the one bringing forth these works (Gal. 5:22).

[2]. Fig tree is picture of self righteousness, hence it is used to picture Israel in (Jer. 24:2,5,8; Hos. 9:10; Matt. 24:32,22).

[3]. (Lk. 13:6-9) 3000 yrs. Adam - Solomon

1000 yrs. Solomon - Christ

Digged under Sennacherib carries the 10 tribes into captivity.

Digged under Nebuchadnezzar who took southern tribes away - so God cuts Israel down in 70 A.D. (Job 14:7)

[4]. The mountain will be literally removed at 2nd advent.

21:23-27 Authority is always the issue.

21:28-32 Notice this parable and the next one have to do with a vineyard. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the vineyard - (Isa. 5). The entire chapter is dealing with Christ's lawful claims to the vineyard (the Palestinian territory promised to Israel).

[1]. The chapter opens with the Son of David coming as rightful heir to the throne (vs. 1-11).

[2]. The religious leaders are set up to resist this coming (vs. 12-15).

[3]. Their resistance is likened to a hypocritical fig tree which professes to have fruit but has none (vs. 17-22).

[4]. The baptism in John is connected with this coming - to reign, as John is a type of Elijah, so this baptism is the testing point on which Jesus leans when arguing about His Messianic authority (vs. 23-26).

[5]. "Publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God" - which states there is a spiritual kingdom which is to appear at the 2nd advent - (Lk. 19:11).

[6]. The Pharisees refused to submit to John's baptism (vs. 32), so John made a reference to the "stones crying out" which Jesus makes at His triumphal entry! (Lk. 3:8; 19:40)! It all ties together. (a). A kingdom is coming to Israel in Palestine.

(b). This kingdom is to be ruled by the "Son of David."

(c). This Son of David shows up in (Matt. 21) as rightful ruler.

(d). He is rejected by the leaders on the grounds that His teachings and conduct conflicts with their traditions, which they have invented themselves to retain power for themselves.

(e). To show their disapproval, they refuse to acknowledge the authority of John and refuse to admit that his baptism is from heaven.

(f). They further refuse Christ's authority on the grounds that they want to run Palestine themselves 21:38, and continue to be big shots.

(g). Every verse in Chapter 21 points this out and brings it rapidly to a head. At no time does the Scripture ever intimate that Christ is not going to set up an earthly, visible kingdom.

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