Discussion:
The Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1–11)
1. The Choice of Animal: Why did Jesus choose to ride a donkey rather than a warhorse? How does this choice fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 and what does it reveal about the nature of His kingdom?
2. The Crowd's Expectation: The crowds shouted "Hosanna" (meaning "Save us now"). Based on their actions and the historical context, what kind of salvation were they likely looking for, and how does that differ from what Jesus was offering?
The Temple Cleansing (Matthew 21:12–17)
3. Righteous Anger: What is wrong with the presence of "money changers" and "sellers of doves" in the Temple court? Why is Jesus so angry?
4. House of Prayer: Jesus quotes Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 when He says the temple should be a "house of prayer for all nations." and not a “den of robbers”. What is the point of quoting from these passage? What message is Jesus trying to say?
Isaiah 56:6-7: 6. And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
Jeremiah 7:4-11: 4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” 5 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, 6 if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever. 8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. 9 “‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury,[a] burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.
5. The Children’s Praise: When the religious leaders were indignant about children crying out in the temple, Jesus quoted Psalm 8:2. Why is the praise of the "lowly" (children, the blind, the lame) so significant in this scene compared to the reaction of the "leaders"?
The Fig Tree & Faith (Matthew 21:18–22)
6. The Symbolic Curse: The fig tree had leaves but no fruit. Since the fig tree often represents Israel in the Old Testament, what message was Jesus sending about religious appearance versus spiritual reality?
Authority Challenged (Matthew 21:23–27)
7. The Source of Authority: When the chief priests ask Jesus who gave Him authority, He responds with a question about John the Baptist. Why are the chief priests asking for His source of authority? Is it an honest enquiry of a trap? How does Jesus’ response turn the table and put the chief priests and elders in a dilemma instead?
Reflections:
8. What is wrong with the religious leaders? How can we avoid the same mistakes?
