BACKGROUND AND LINKS
Tuesday Morning of Holy Week
189. Religious leaders challenge Jesus' authority: Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8
This event and the three parables following it (Mark and Luke only record one of them) stem from the religious leaders questioning Jesus about what authority He had to do "these things" (probably meaning purging the temple the previous day, miracles, healing, deliverance, and teaching that proved His authority). Jesus was not trying to avoid the issue by taking them all the way back to John's ministry but was using a common debating approach with Rabbis.
John was sent by God and prepared the way for Jesus, but they rejected John (Herod had him beheaded). Therefore, they could not accept John's authority but rejected him. If they did this to John, they had done it to Jesus. If they rejected John's teaching, they would not understand Jesus' answer as to what authority He had cleansed the temple.
Jesus tells the parables of the . . .
190. Two sons: Matthew 21:28-32
The following three parables illustrate what Jesus has just said. The vineyard is the nation of Israel (Psalm 80:8-16; Isaiah 5). The two sons are the two classes of people: self-righteous religious people and low-life, non-religious sinners (like us). The Jewish leaders were the unsatisfactory son, who did not do the father's will. They rejected John and the Father who sent him. They rejected the Father so He sent His Son (the next parable).
191. Evil farmers: Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-19
This parable is based on Isaiah 5:1-7. The Jewish leaders are the vinegrowers whom God appointed to bear fruit for His glory, but they did not. The landowner's servants are the prophets and priests who tried to warn Israel. The landowner could have sent armies to destroy them, but he sent his son, and they killed him. Jesus is the Son that was rejected by the Jewish leaders. Just as the son was "cast out" of the vineyard and killed. Jesus was crucified "outside the gate" (Hebrews 13:12-13).
Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23 to clarify this parable. The crowds had just quoted Psalm 118:26 during Jesus' triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. In the Old Testament, God is often referred to as a rock or stone (Deuteronomy 32:4, 18; 30-31; Psalm 18:2, 31, 46). To Israel, Jesus was a stumbling stone (Isaiah 8:14-15; Romans 9:32-33; 1 Corinthians 1:23).
Because they were not faithful, God would take the kingdom away from Israel and give it to a people (ethnei) that would produce fruit (Matthew 21:43). Since the Greek word for people/nation is singular, many interpreters think this refers to the church (called a nation in Romans 10:19 and 1 Peter 2:9-10). Others believe the word "nation/people" means that generation. So, the kingdom would be taken away from that particular generation of Israel to be given back to a future generation that would repent (Romans 11:15, 25-27).
Matthew omitted something in this parable that Mark and Luke include "He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved (Mark 12:6; Luke 20:13).
This parable would have been greatly understood in the social climate of Palestine. Wealthy landowners from foreign countries leased their estates to tenant farmers with a contractual agreement that a portion of the crop would be paid as rent. Agents would come to collect that rent, and there were always conflicts that arose as a result.
Jesus' counter-question and parables angered the religious leaders, but they were too afraid of the crowd that supported Him to do anything . . . yet.
192. Wedding dinner: Matthew 22:1-14
The parable of the wedding feast is the third parable in response to the religious leaders and is only recorded in Matthew. In this culture, there were usually two invitations. This time, the king made three invitations, and the guests still rejected them and even killed some of his messengers! So, the king invited a broader group from off the street. He even provided the proper wedding clothes for these outsiders, but one person failed to wear what was given to him. That would have been a great insult to the host.
Jesus was pointing to the nation's rejection of Him. His teaching had, for the most part, been rejected. The invitation for salvation has been extended beyond Israel, and individuals must choose to accept the "garment of righteousness" (Psalm 132:16; Isaiah 61:10; Zechariah 3:3-5; Revelation 3:4, 5; 19:7, 8) that is freely given to enter the King's banquet of eternal life.
Religious leaders question Jesus about . . .
193. Paying taxes: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26
Like the Sadducees and Pharisees in Matthew 16, these lifelong enemies united against their common enemy: Jesus. The Pharisees were purists who opposed Roman rule, and the Herodians were those who supported the rule of Herod the Great and favored change dictated by Rome. They knew if Jesus answered that it was good to pay taxes to Rome, most of the Jews would consider Him a traitor. If He said they should not be paid, He would be trapped as a rebel against Rome. He solved the dispute by saying that we have "dual citizenship" (1 Peter 2:17) by being a citizen under an authority on earth and a citizen of heaven which requires obedience and commitment to God. He was saying that we all have political and spiritual responsibilities. He is so smart!!!
194. The Resurrection: Matthew 22:23-33, Mark 12:18-27, Luke 20:27-40
The Sadducees were considered the religious liberals because they did not believe in the resurrection or angels or spirits (Acts 23:8). So, of course, they would try to trap Him in a question about the resurrection, but Jesus knew that they did not know the Scriptures because it taught of the resurrection and that God had the power to bring people back to life. Since the Sadducees believed only in the Pentateuch, He used Exodus 3:6 implying that their patriarchs are alive with God.
195. The Greatest Commandment: Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34
The Pharisees had over 600 laws and were constantly trying to classify which ones were more important. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 and said all the rest would be fulfilled if they followed these two.
Mark's gospel adds that loving the Lord with everything and loving one's neighbor as himself are more important than "all burnt offerings and sacrifices" (Mark 12:33). A love relationship with God that overflows with love for people is more important than ritualistic rules. We learned that in quite a few instances in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 15:22; Proverbs 21:3; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8). Mark also adds that Jesus said "You are not far from the kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34) if you understand the love dynamic.
196. Religious leaders cannot answer Jesus' question: Matthew 22:41-46, Mark 12:35-37, Luke 20:41-44
He had silenced His interrogators. Now, He would question them by asking who they thought the Messiah (Christ) was. Quickly they replied, "The Son of David." Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 to show that the Messiah would be greater than David. They did not understand He would be God.
The Mark account adds that the "great crowd enjoyed listening to Him" (Mark 12:37). The Matthew account adds that "no one dared to ask Him any more questions" (Matthew 22:46). Jesus had silenced all challenges from the different groups of religious leaders: the chief priests and elders (Matthew 21:23-27), the Pharisees and Herodians together (Matthew 22:15-22), the Sadducees (Matthew 22:23-33), and the Pharisees (Matthew 22:34-36).
197. Jesus warns against the religious leaders: Matthew 23:1-12, Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-47
198. Jesus condemns the religious leaders: Matthew 23:13-36
Matthew's gospel gives the most thorough account of these events. Jesus goes for the jugular by calling the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees hypocrites. They did everything for show like wearing phylacteries, but they did not practice what they preached. Phylacteries were little leather boxes containing Scripture that they wore on their forehead and arms in keeping with Deuteronomy 6:8 and Exodus 13:9, 16. Jesus proclaimed that the way to exaltation is via humility.
A good portion of these two combined events includes the "eight woes" directed at the religious leaders. (The NIV version has seven woes because it leaves out verse 14 which is not included in early manuscripts.) A good way to look at these "woes" is to contrast them with the eight beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. In the Beatitudes, Jesus is talking about true righteousness. In the "woes," He is talking about false righteousness.
Here are the contrasts from The Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren Wiersbe:
1) Entering the kingdom -- shutting up the kingdom (Matthew 23:13, 5:3)
2) Mourners comforted -- destroyers condemned (23:14; 5:4)
3) Meek inherit the earth -- proud send souls to hell (23:15; 5:5)
4) Hungering for holiness -- greedy for gain (23:16-22; 5:6)
5) Obtaining mercy -- rejecting mercy (23:23-24; 5:7)
6 & 7) Pure in heart -- defiled in heart (23:25-28; 5:8)
8) Peacemakers and persecuted are God's children -- persecutors are the devil's children (Matthew 23:29-33; 5:9-12) (Volume 1, p. 84-86)199. Jesus grieves over Jerusalem again: Matthew 23:37-39
On the heels of the eighth woe, Jesus closes by lamenting over Jerusalem, wanting to gather her up in His arms like a mother bird does her chicks. This city had killed the prophets, and they would soon reject and kill Him. As a result, they would be destroyed, and this came true when the temple and the city were destroyed by invading Roman armies in A.D. 70. Despite this, there is a promise that He will return again (Psalm 118:26; Zechariah 12; Roman 11:25-27).
200. A poor widow gives all she has: Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4
This widow gave more than the rich because she gave all that she had.
REFLECTION
Warren Wiersbe writes:
As we review these tragic woes from the lips of our Lord, we can see why the Pharisees were His enemies. He emphasized the inner man; they were concerned with externals. He taught a spiritual life based on principles, while the Pharisees majored on rules and regulations. Jesus measured spirituality in terms of character, while the Pharisees measured it in terms of religious activities and conformity to external laws. Jesus taught humility and sacrificial service; but the Pharisees were proud and used people to accomplish their own purposes. The holy life of Jesus exposed their artificial piety and shallow religion. Instead of coming out of the darkness, the Pharisees tried to put out the Light; and they failed. (The Bible Exposition Commentary, Mt 23:13)APPLICATION
The greatest commandment and second commandment (Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-34) are so important to grasp. Meditate on this again. Note that the Mark account records a conversation with the scribe that ends with Jesus saying, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." Ponder this!
How do you measure your spiritual life?
Have you become more involved in perfecting the practice of religion than living a holy life?
Go through the eight contrasts between the woes and beatitudes and evaluate your life before God.
PRAYER
Lord, teach us to be like Jesus. Amen.
The widows giving is beautiful. Lord, show me where I can give with such a heart as hers.
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