Lectionary Calendar

Thursday, July 31st, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17

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Bible Commentaries
Matthew 21

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Verses 1-9

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey

Matthew 21:1-9	Mark 11:1-10	Luke 19:28-38	John 12:12-15
Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem,	Mark 11:1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem,	Luke 19:28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.	John 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,	unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,	Luke 19:29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called [the mount] of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
Matthew 21:2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose [them], and bring [them] unto me.	Mark 11:2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring [him].	Luke 19:30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against [you]; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring [him hither].
Matthew 21:3 And if any [man] say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.	Mark 11:3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.	Luke 19:31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose [him]? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
Matthew 21:4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,			John 12:14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
Matthew 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.			John 12:15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
Matthew 21:6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,	Mark 11:4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.	Luke 19:32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
	Mark 11:5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?	Luke 19:33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
	Mark 11:6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.	Luke 19:34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
Matthew 21:7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set [him] thereon.	Mark 11:7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.	Luke 19:35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
Matthew 21:8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way;	Mark 11:8 And many spread their garments in the way:	Luke 19:36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed [them] in the way.	and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed [them] in the way.		John 12:13 Took branches of palm trees,
Matthew 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord;	Mark 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord:	Luke 19:37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;	and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed [is] the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
	Mark 11:10 Blessed [be] the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord:	Luke 19:38 Saying, Blessed [be] the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven,
Hosanna in the highest.	Hosanna in the highest.	and glory in the highest.

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Verses 10-19

Jesus clears the temple

Matthew 21:10-19	Mark 11:11-19	Luke 19:45-48
Matthew 21:10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? Matthew 21:11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.	Mark 11:11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,		Luke 19:45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.		Luke 19:46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Matthew 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.		Luke 19:47 And he taught daily in the temple.
Matthew 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,		But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, Luke 19:48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
		End Luke’s Account
Matthew 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Matthew 21:18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.		Mark 11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only,		Mark 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not [yet].
and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.		Mark 11:14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard [it].
	Mark 11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
	Mark 11:16 And would not suffer that any man should carry [any] vessel through the temple.
	Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
	Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard [it], and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
Matthew 21:17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.		Mark 11:19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.

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Verses 20-22

Jesus says the disciples can pray for anything

Matthew 21:20-22	Mark 11:20-26
Matthew 21:20 And when the disciples saw [it], they marvelled,	Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
	Mark 11:21 And Peter calling to remembrance
saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!	saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree,	Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.	Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.	Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].
	Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
	Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

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Verses 23-27

Religious leaders challenge Jesus’ authority

Matthew 21:23-27	Mark 11:27-33	Luke 20:1-8
Matthew 21:23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching,	Mark 11:27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,	Luke 20:1 And it came to pass, [that] on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon [him] with the elders,
and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?	Mark 11:28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?	Luke 20:2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
Matthew 21:24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.	Mark 11:29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.	Luke 20:3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
Matthew 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?	Mark 11:30 The baptism of John, was [it] from heaven, or of men? answer me.	Luke 20:4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?	Mark 11:31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?	Luke 20:5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
Matthew 21:26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.	Mark 11:32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all [men] counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.	Luke 20:6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
Matthew 21:27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them,	Mark 11:33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them,	Luke 20:7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence [it was].
Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.	Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.	Luke 20:8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

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Verses 33-46

Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants

Matthew 21:33-46	Mark 12:1-12	Luke 20:9-19
Matthew 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:	Mark 12:1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A [certain] man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about [it], and digged [a place for] the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.	Luke 20:9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
Matthew 21:34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.	Mark 12:2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.	Luke 20:10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard:
Matthew 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.	Mark 12:3 And they caught [him], and beat him, and sent [him] away empty.	but the husbandmen beat him, and sent [him] away empty.
	Mark 12:4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded [him] in the head, and sent [him] away shamefully handled.	Luke 20:11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated [him] shamefully, and sent [him] away empty.
Matthew 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.	Mark 12:5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.	Luke 20:12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast [him] out.
Matthew 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.	Mark 12:6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.	Luke 20:13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence [him] when they see him.
Matthew 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.	Mark 12:7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.	Luke 20:14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
Matthew 21:39 And they caught him, and cast [him] out of the vineyard, and slew [him].	Mark 12:8 And they took him, and killed [him], and cast [him] out of the vineyard.	Luke 20:15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed [him].
Matthew 21:40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?	Mark 12:9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do?	What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
	he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.	Luke 20:16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others.
Matthew 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out [his] vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.		And when they heard [it], they said, God forbid.
Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner:	Mark 12:10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:	Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?	Mark 12:11 This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Matthew 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.		Luke 20:18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Matthew 21:45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. Matthew 21:46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.	Mark 12:12 And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.	Luke 20:19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

Luke 19:12-27

Mark 13:34 Matthew 25:14-30

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Bibliographical Information
"Commentary on Matthew 21". "The Gospels Compared". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/tgc/matthew-21.html. 2014.

Bible CommentariesMatthew 21

The Gospels ComparedGospels Compared

Verses 1-9

Verses 10-19

Verses 20-22

Verses 23-27

Verses 33-46

Bible Commentaries
Matthew 21