PREPARING FOR THE SERMON
March 16, 2025
Matthew 21:12-22:22
Context:
Matthew bookends an account about Jesus cursing a fig tree with two accounts of Jesus in the temple area. He demonstrates authority and reacts to the leaders questioning His authority. Jesus recently entered Jerusalem to fanfare, but His actions directly clashed with the leaders in the temple. Following these confrontations, Jesus provides a series of parables dealing with authority and legitimacy. The section returns to conversation about money, this time not in the temple but in relation to the government.
Structure:
21:12-17 (the temple leaders) became indignant (v 15)
21:18-22 “whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive it all.” (v 22)
21:23-27 “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.” (v 27)
21:28-32 “tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you.” (v 31)
21:33-46 “the kingdom will be … given to a people producing its fruit.” (v 43)
22: 1-14 “many are called, but few are chosen.” (v 14)
22:15-22 “pay to Caesar… and to God the things that are God’s” (v 21)
Key Ideas: authority, legitimacy, lordship
Some things to think about: