Big Idea: Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ authority as Messiah over the temple and his critique of its leadership as well as the importance of unwavering faith in following Jesus.

Understanding the Text

In Matthew the account of Jesus in the temple immediately follows his entry into Jerusalem. Both stories highlight Jesus’ identity and authority as Israel’s Messiah, with the acclamation of Jesus as the “Son of David” by the crowds and by children (21:9, 15). In 21:12–17 Jesus acts with messianic authority by denouncing current practices in the temple that have distorted its purposes (21:12–13), as in the analogous and parabolic cursing of the fig tree (21:18–22). This denunciation fits a broader pattern of critiques of the temple and its leaders by Jesus in this part of Matthew (23:38; 24:1–35…