---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Matthew 21:1. Bethphage — A place on the west declivity of Mount Olivet, from which it is thought the whole declivity and part of the valley took th"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew/21"
---

Verse [Matthew 21:1](../../../kjv/matthew/21/1). ***Bethphage*** — A place on the west declivity of Mount *Olivet*, from which it is thought the whole declivity and part of the valley took their name. It is supposed to have derived its name from the *fig-trees* which grew there; בית beeth, signifying a *region* as well as a *house*, and פג *phag*, a *green fig*.

Verse [Matthew 21:2](../../../kjv/matthew/21/2). ***Ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt*** — *Asses* and *mules* were in common use in Palestine: *horses* were seldom to be met with. Our blessed Lord takes every opportunity to convince his disciples that nothing was *hidden* from him: he informs them of the most minute occurrence; and manifested his power over the heart in disposing the owner to permit the ass to be taken away.

Verse [Matthew 21:3](../../../kjv/matthew/21/3). ***The Lord*** (the proprietor of all things) ***hath need of**********them*** — Jesus is continually humbling himself, to show us how odious *pride* is in the sight of God: but in his humility he is ever giving proofs of his almighty power, that the belief of his *divinity* may be established.

Verse [Matthew 21:4](../../../kjv/matthew/21/4). ***All this was done*** — The word *all*, in this clause, is omitted by some MSS., versions, and fathers.
***Which was spoken*** — The Spirit of God, which predicted those things that concerned the Messiah, took care to have them literally fulfilled:
1. To show the truth of prophecy in general; and,
2. To designate Christ as the person intended by that prophecy.
See the note on [Matthew 2:23](../../../kjv/matthew/2/23).

Verse [Matthew 21:5](../../../kjv/matthew/21/5). ***Tell ye the daughter of Sion*** — The quotation is taken from [Zechariah 9:9](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/9), but not in the precise words of the prophet.
This entry into Jerusalem has been termed the *triumph* of Christ. It was indeed the triumph of *humility* over *pride* and worldly grandeur; of *poverty* over *affluence*; and of *meekness* and *gentleness* over *rage* and *malice*.
He is coming now *meek*, full of kindness and compassion to those who were plotting his destruction! He comes to deliver up himself into their hands; their king comes to be murdered by his subjects, and to make his death a ransom price for their souls!

Verse [Matthew 21:7](../../../kjv/matthew/21/7). ***And put on them their clothes*** — Thus acknowledging him to be their *king*, for this was a *custom* observed by the people when they found that God had appointed a man to the kingdom. When Jehu sat with the captains of the army, and Elisha the prophet came, by the order of God, to anoint him king over Israel, as soon as he came out of the inner chamber into which the prophet had taken him to anoint him, and they knew what was done, *every man* *took his garment*, and *spread it under him on the top of the steps*, and *blew the trumpets*, saying, "Jehu is king." [2 Kings 9:13](../../../kjv/2-kings/9/13).
***And they set*****him*****thereon.*** — Και επεκαθισεν επανω αυτων, *and* *he sat upon them*; but instead of επανω αυτων, *upon* THEM, the Codex Bezae, seven copies of the *Itala*, some copies of the *Vulgate*, and some others, read επ' αυτον, *upon him*, i.e. the colt. This is most likely to be the true reading; for we can scarcely suppose that he rode upon both by *turns*, - this would appear *childish*; or that he rode upon both at *once*, for this would be *absurd*. Some say he sat on *both*; for "the ass that was *tied up* was an emblem of the Jews *bound under the yoke of the law*; and the *colt* that had *not been tied* represented the *Gentiles* who were *not under the law*; and that Jesus Christ's sitting on both represented his *subjecting* the Jews and the Gentiles to the *sway* of his evangelical *sceptre*." He who *can* receive this saying, let him receive it.

Verse [Matthew 21:8](../../../kjv/matthew/21/8). ***Cut down branches from the trees*** — Carrying palm and other branches was emblematical of victory and success. See 1 Mac. xiii. 51; 2 Mac. x. 7; and [Revelation 7:9](../../../kjv/revelation/7/9).
The rabbins acknowledge that the prophecy in Zechariah refers to the Messiah; so Rab. *Tancum*, and Yalcut Rubeni has a strange story about the ass. "This ass is the colt of that ass which was created in the twilight of the sixth day. This is the ass which Abraham found when he went to sacrifice his son. This is the ass on which Moses rode when he went to Egypt; and this is the ass on which the Messiah shall ride." Some of the Jews seem to think that the *zebra* is intended; for according to *Bab. Sanhedr*. fol. 98, when Shapoor, king of Persia, said to Rabbi Samuel: "You say your Messiah will come upon an ass; I will send him a noble horse." To which the rabbi replied, "You have not a horse with a hundred spots (query, streaks) like his ass." See *Lightfoot* and *Schoettgen*.

Verse [Matthew 21:9](../../../kjv/matthew/21/9). ***Hosanna to the son of David*** — When persons applied to the king for help, or for a redress of grievances, they used the word *hosanna*, or rather from the Hebrew הושיעה נא HOSHIAH NA! *Save now*! or, *Save, we beseech thee*! - redress our grievances, and give us help from oppression! Thus both the *words* and *actions* of the people prove that they acknowledged Christ as their *king*, and looked to him for *deliverance*. How easily might he have assumed the sovereignty at this time, had he been so disposed! For instances of the use of this *form* of speech, see [2 Samuel 14:4](../../../kjv/2-samuel/14/4); [2 Kings 6:26](../../../kjv/2-kings/6/26); [Psalms 118:25](../../../kjv/psalms/118/25).
***Son of David*** — A well-known epithet of the Messiah. *He who* *cometh in the name*, c. He who comes in the *name* and *authority* of the Most High.
***Hosanna in the highest*** — Either meaning, Let the *heavenly hosts* join with us in magnifying this august Being! - or, Let the *utmost* *degrees* of hosanna, of *salvation*, and *deliverance*, be communicated to thy people! Probably there is an allusion here to the custom of the Jews in the feast of tabernacles. During the first seven days of that feast, they went *once* round the altar, each day, with *palm* and *other branches* in their hands, singing HOSANNA: but on the *eighth* day of that feast they walked *seven* times round the altar, singing the *hosanna* and this was termed the *hosanna rabba*, the GREAT *hosanna*: i.e. *Assist with the* *greatest succour*. Probably answering to the τοις υψιστοις of the evangelist, for on this day they beg the most *speedy* and *powerful* *help* against their *enemies*, and likewise pray for a *prosperous* and *fruitful* year. See STEHLIN'S *Jewish Traditions*, vol. ii. p. 322.

Verse [Matthew 21:10](../../../kjv/matthew/21/10). ***All the city was moved*** — Or, *the whole city was in* *motion*. εσεισθη, was in a tumult - they saw and heard plainly that the multitude had proclaimed Christ *king*, and *Messiah*. *Who is* *this*? Who is accounted worthy of this honour?

Verse [Matthew 21:11](../../../kjv/matthew/21/11). ***This is Jesus*****THE PROPHET**] ο προφητης THAT *prophet* whom Moses spoke of, [Deuteronomy 18:18](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/18/18). *I will raise them up a prophet - like unto thee*, &c. Every expression of the multitude plainly intimated that they fully received our blessed Lord as the promised Messiah. - How strange is it that these same people (if the creatures of the high priest be not only intended) should, about five days after, change their hosannas for, *Away with him! crucify him! crucify him!* How fickle is the multitude! Even when they get *right*, there is but little hope that they will continue so long.

Verse [Matthew 21:12](../../../kjv/matthew/21/12). ***Jesus went into the temple of God***, c.] "*Avarice*," says one, "covered with the veil of religion, is one of those things on which Christ looks with the greatest indignation in his Church. Merchandize of holy things, simoniacal presentations, fraudulent exchanges, a mercenary spirit in sacred functions ecclesiastical employments obtained by flattery, service, or attendance, or by any thing which is instead of money; collations, nominations, and elections made through any other motive than the glory of God; these are all fatal and damnable profanations, of which those in the temple were only a shadow." QUESNEL.
***Money-changers*** — Persons who furnished the Jews and proselytes who came from other countries, with the *current* coin of Judea, in exchange for their own.

Verse [Matthew 21:13](../../../kjv/matthew/21/13). ***My house shall be called the house of prayer*** — This is taken from [Isaiah 56:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/56/7).
***But ye have made it a den of thieves.*** — This is taken from [Jeremiah 7:11](../../../kjv/jeremiah/7/11).
Our Lord alludes here to those *dens* and *caves* in Judea, in which the public robbers either hid or kept themselves fortified.
They who are placed in the Church of Christ to *serve* souls, and do it not, and they who enjoy the revenues of the Church, and neglect the *service* of it, are *thieves* and *robbers* in more senses than one.
Our Lord is represented here as purifying his temple; and this we may judge he did in reference to his true temple, the Church, to show that nothing that was *worldly* or *unholy* should have any place among his followers, or in that heart in which he should condescend to dwell. It is marvellous that these interested, vile men did not raise a mob against him: but it is probable they were overawed by the Divine power, or, seeing the multitudes on the side of Christ, they were afraid to molest him. I knew a case something similar to this, which did not succeed so well. A very pious clergyman of my acquaintance, observing a woman keeping a public standing to sell nuts, gingerbread, &c., at the very *porch* of his *Church*, on the *Lord's day*, "desired her to remove thence, and not defile the house of God, while she profaned the Sabbath of the Lord." She paid no attention to him. He warned her the next Sabbath, but still to no purpose. Going in one Lord's day to preach, and finding her still in the very entrance, with her stall, he *overthrew* the stall, and scattered the stuff into the street. He was shortly after summoned to appear before the royal court, which, to its eternal reproach, condemned the action, and fined the man of God in a considerable sum of money!

Verse [Matthew 21:14](../../../kjv/matthew/21/14). ***The blind and the lame came*** — Having condemned the *profane* use of the temple, he now shows the proper use of it. It is a *house of prayer*, where God is to manifest his goodness and power in giving *sight* to the spiritually *blind*, and *feet* to the *lame*. The *Church* or *chapel* in which the *blind* and the *lame* are not healed has *no* Christ in it, and is not worthy of attendance.

Verse [Matthew 21:15](../../../kjv/matthew/21/15). ***The chief priests - were sore displeased*** — Or, *were* *incensed*. Incensed at what! At the purification of the profaned temple! This was a work *they* should have done themselves, but for which they had neither *grace* nor *influence*; and their pride and jealousy will not suffer them to permit others to do it. Strange as it may appear, the *priesthood* itself, in all corrupt times, has been ever the most forward to *prevent* a reform in the Church. Was it because they were conscious that a reformer would find them no better than *money-changers* in, and *profaners* of, the house of God, and that they and their system must be *overturned*, if the true worship of God were restored! Let him who is concerned answer this to his conscience.

Verse [Matthew 21:16](../../../kjv/matthew/21/16). ***Out of the mouth of babes*** — The eighth Psalm, out of which these words are quoted, is applied to Jesus Christ in *three* other places in the new covenant, [1 Corinthians 15:27](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/15/27); [Ephesians 1:22](../../../kjv/ephesians/1/22); [Hebrews 2:6](../../../kjv/hebrews/2/6). Which proves it to be merely a prophetic psalm, relating to the Messiah.
It was a common thing among the Jews for the children to be employed in public acclamations; and thus they were accustomed to hail their celebrated rabbins. This shouting of the children was therefore no strange thing in the land: only they were exasperated, because a person was celebrated against whom they had a rooted hatred. As to the prophecy that foretold this, they regarded it not. Some imagine that babes and sucklings in the prophecy have a much more extensive meaning, and refer also to the first preachers of the Gospel of Christ.

Verse [Matthew 21:17](../../../kjv/matthew/21/17). ***And he left them*** (καταλιπων, *finally leaving them*)*******and went - into Bethany; and he lodged there.*** — Bethany was a village about *two* miles distant from Jerusalem, by Mount Olivet, [John 11:18](../../../kjv/john/11/18); and it is remarkable that from this day till his death, which happened about six days after, he spent not one night in Jerusalem, but went every evening to Bethany, and returned to the city each morning. See [Luke 21:37](../../../kjv/luke/21/37); [Luke 22:39](../../../kjv/luke/22/39); [John 8:1-2](../../../kjv/john/8/1-2). They were about to murder the Lord of glory; and the true *light*, which they had *rejected*, is now *departing* from them.
***Lodged there.*** — Not merely to avoid the snares laid for him by those bad men, but to take away all suspicion of his affecting the regal power. To the end of this verse is added by the Saxon, [Anglo-Saxon]. *And taught them of the kingdom of God*. This same reading is found in some MSS., *Missals*, and one copy of the *Itala*. It appears also in *Wickliff*, and my old folio English MS. Bible, and *taugt hem of the kyngdom of God*; and in two MS. copies of the *Vulgate*, in my possession: one, duodecimo, very fairly written, in 1300; the other a large folio, probably written in the 11th or 12th century, in which the words are, IBIQUE docebat eos de regno Dei. AND THERE *he taught them concerning the kingdom of God*.

Verse [Matthew 21:18](../../../kjv/matthew/21/18). ***Now in the morning, as he returned into the city*** — Which was his custom from the time he wholly left Jerusalem, spending only the day time teaching in the temple; see [Matthew 21:17](../../../kjv/matthew/21/17). This was probably on Thursday, the 12th day of the month *Nisan*.
*He hungered*- Probably neither he, nor his disciples, had any thing but what they got from *public charity*; and the hand of that seems to have been *cold* at this time.

Verse [Matthew 21:19](../../../kjv/matthew/21/19). ***He saw a fig tree in the way*** — επι της οδου, *By the* *road side*. As this fig tree was by the *way side*, it was no *private* property; and on this account our Lord, or any other traveller, had a right to take of its fruit. For a full explanation of this difficult passage, relative to this emblematic fig tree, see on [Mark 11:13](../../../kjv/mark/11/13), &c.
***Let no fruit grow on thee*** — Can a professor, who affords Christ nothing but *barren words* and *wishes*, expect any thing but his malediction? When the soul continues in *unfruitfulness*, the influences of grace are removed, and then the tree speedily withers from the very root.

Verse [Matthew 21:20](../../../kjv/matthew/21/20). ***How soon is the fig tree withered away!*** — We often say to our neighbours, "How suddenly this man died! Who could have expected it so soon?" But who takes warning by these examples? What we say *to-day* of OTHERS, may be said *to-morrow* of OURSELVES. Be ye also ready! Lord, increase our faith!

Verse [Matthew 21:21](../../../kjv/matthew/21/21). ***If ye have faith, and doubt not*** — See on [Matthew 17:20](../../../kjv/matthew/17/20). *Removing mountains*, and *rooting up of mountains*, are phrases very generally used to signify the *removing* or *conquering* great *difficulties*-getting through *perplexities*. So, many of the rabbins are termed *rooters up of mountains*, because they were dexterous in removing difficulties, solving cases of conscience, c. In this sense our Lord's words are to be understood. He that has faith will get through every difficulty and perplexity mountains shall become molehills or plains before him. The saying is neither to be taken in its literal sense, nor is it *hyperbolical*: it is a proverbial form of speech, which no Jew could misunderstand, and with which no Christian ought to be puzzled.

Verse [Matthew 21:22](../../../kjv/matthew/21/22). ***All things - ye shall ask in prayer, believing*** — In order to get salvation, there must be,
1. a *conviction* of the want of it: this begets,
2. *prayer*, or *warm desires*, in the heart: then
3. the person *asks*, i.e. makes use of *words* expressive of his wants and wishes:
4. *believes* the word of promise, relative to the fulfilment of his wants: and
5. *receives*, according to the merciful promise of God, the salvation which his soul requires.

Verse [Matthew 21:23](../../../kjv/matthew/21/23). ***By what authority doest thou these things?*** — The things which the chief priests allude to, were his *receiving* the *acclamations* of the people as the *promised Messiah*, his *casting* the *traders* out of the *temple*, and his *teaching* the *people* publicly in it.
***Who gave thee this authority?*** — Not *them*: for, like many of their successors, they were neither *teachers* nor *cleansers*; though they had the name and the profits of the place.

Verse [Matthew 21:24](../../../kjv/matthew/21/24). ***I also will ask you one thing*** — Our Lord was certainly under no obligation to answer their question: he had already given them such proofs of his Divine mission as could not possibly be exceeded, in the miracles which he wrought before their eyes, and before all Judea; and, as they would not credit him on this evidence, it would have been in vain to have expected their acknowledgment of him on any profession he would make.

Verse [Matthew 21:25](../../../kjv/matthew/21/25). ***The baptism of John*** — Had John a *Divine commission* or not, for his baptism and preaching? Our Lord here takes the wise in their own cunning. He knew the estimation John was in among the people; and he plainly saw that, if they gave any answer at all, they must convict themselves: and so they saw, when they came to examine the question. See [Matthew 21:25-26](../../../kjv/matthew/21/25-26).

Verse [Matthew 21:27](../../../kjv/matthew/21/27). ***We cannot tell.*** — Simplicity gives a wonderful confidence and peace of mind; but double dealing causes a thousand inquietudes and troubles. Let a man do his utmost to conceal in his own heart the evidence he has of truth and innocence, to countenance his not yielding to it; God, who sees the heart, will, in the light of the last day, produce it as a witness against him, and make it his judge.
*We cannot tell*, said they; which, in the words of truth, should have been, *We will not tell*, for we will not have this man for the Messiah: because, if we acknowledge John as his *forerunner*, we must, of necessity, receive Jesus as *the Christ*.
They who are engaged against the truth are abandoned to the spirit of falsity, and scruple not at a lie. Pharisaical pride, according to its different interests, either pretends to *know* every thing, or affects to *know nothing*. Among such, we may meet with numerous instances of arrogance and affected humility. God often hides from the wise and prudent what he reveals unto babes; for, when they use their wisdom only to invent the most plausible excuses for rejecting the truth when it comes to them, it is but just that they should be punished with that ignorance to which, in their own defence, they are obliged to have recourse.

Verse [Matthew 21:28](../../../kjv/matthew/21/28). ***A*****certain*****man had two sons*** — Under the emblem of these two sons, one of whom was a *libertine, disobedient*, and *insolent*, but who afterwards thought on his ways, and returned to his duty; and the second, a *hypocrite*, who promised all, and did nothing; our Lord points out, on the one hand, the *tax-gatherers* and *sinners* of all descriptions, who, convicted by the preaching of John and that of Christ, turned away from their iniquities and embraced the Gospel; and, on the other hand, the *scribes,* *Pharisees*, and *self-righteous people*, who, pretending a zeal for the *law*, would not receive the salvation of the *Gospel*.

Verse 29. ***I will not*** — This is the general reply of every sinner to the invitations of God; and, in it, the Most High is treated without ceremony or respect. They only are safe who *persist not* in the denial.

Verse 30. ***I go, sir*** — This is all respect, complaisance, and professed, obedience; but *he went not*: he promised *well*, but did not perform. What a multitude of such are in the world, professing to know God, but denying him in their works! Alas! what will such professions avail, when God comes to take away the soul?

Verse 31. ***The publicans and the harlots*** — In all their former conduct they had said NO. Now they yield to the voice of truth when they hear it, and enter into the kingdom, embracing the salvation brought to them in the Gospel. The *others*, who had been always professing the most ready and willing obedience, and who pretended to be waiting for the kingdom of God, did not receive it when it came, but rather chose, while making the best professions, to continue members of the synagogue of Satan.

Verse 32. ***John came unto you in the way of righteousness*** — Proclaiming the truth, and living agreeably to it. Or, *John came* *unto you*, who are *in the way of righteousness*. This seems rather to be the true meaning and construction of this passage. The Jews are here distinguished from the Gentiles. The former were in the *way of righteousness*, had the revelation of God, and the ordinances of justice *established* among them; the latter were in the *way of unrighteousness*, without the Divine revelation, and iniquitous in all their conduct: John came to both, preaching the doctrine of repentance, and proclaiming Jesus the Christ. To say that it was John who came in the way of righteousness, and that to him the words refer, is, in my opinion, saying nothing; for this was necessarily implied: as he professed to come from God, he must not only *preach* righteousness, but *walk* in it.
It is very difficult to get a worldly minded and self-righteous man brought to Christ. *Examples* signify little to him. Urge the example of an eminent *saint*, he is discouraged at it. Show him a *profligate sinner* converted to God, him he is ashamed to own and follow; and, as to the conduct of the generality of the followers of Christ, it is not striking enough to impress him. John, and Christ, and the apostles preach; but, to multitudes, all is in vain.

Verse 33. ***There was a certain householder*** — Let us endeavour to find out a general and practical meaning for this parable. *A* *householder*- the *Supreme Being*. The *family*- the *Jewish nation*. The *vineyard*- the *city of Jerusalem*. The *fence*- the *Divine* *protection*. The *wine-press*- the *law* and *sacrificial rites*. The *tower*- the *temple*, in which the Divine presence was manifested. The *husbandmen*- the *priests* and *doctors of the law*. Went *from* *home*- entrusted the cultivation of the vineyard to the priests, c., with the utmost confidence as a man would do who had the most trusty servants, and was obliged to absent himself from home for a certain time. Our Lord takes this parable from [Isaiah 5:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/5/1), c. but whether our blessed Redeemer quote from the *law*, the *prophets*, or the *rabbins*, he reserves the liberty to himself to beautify the whole, and render it more pertinent.
Some apply this parable also to Christianity, thus: - The *master* or *father*- our *blessed Lord*. The *family - professing Christians in* *general*. The *vineyard*- the *true Church*, or *assembly* of the *faithful*. The *hedge*- the *true faith*, which keeps the sacred assembly *enclosed* and *defended* from the errors of *heathenism* and *false Christianity*. The *wine-press*-the *atonement* made by the sacrifice of Christ, typified by the *sacrifices* under the law. The *tower*-the *promises* of the *Divine presence* and *protection*. The *husbandmen*- the *apostles* and all their *successors* in the *ministry*. The *going from home*-the *ascension* to heaven. But this parable cannot go on all fours in the *Christian* cause, as any one may see. In the case of the *husbandmen*, especially it is applicable; unless we suppose our Lord intended such as those inquisitorial *Bonners*, who always persecuted the true ministers of Christ, and consequently Christ himself in his members; and to these may be added the whole train of *St. Bartholomew* EJECTORS, and all the fire and faggot men of a certain Church, who think they do God service by murdering his saints. But let the persecuted take courage: Jesus Christ will *come back* shortly; and then *he will* *miserably destroy those wicked men*: indeed, he has done so already to several, and let out his vineyard to more faithful husbandmen.
***Digged a wine-press*** — ωρυξε ληνον. St. Mark has υποληνιον, the pit under the press, into which the liquor ran, when squeezed out of the fruit by the press.

Verse 34. ***He sent his servants*** — *Prophets*, which, from *time* to *time*, he sent to the Jewish nation to call both priests and people back to the purity of his holy religion.
***Receive the fruits of it.*** — Alluding to the ancient custom of paying the rent of a farm in *kind*; that is, by a part of the *produce* of the *farm*. This custom anciently prevailed in most nations; and still prevails in the highlands of Scotland, and in some other places. The *Boldon book*, a survey made of the state of the bishopric of Durham in 1183, shows how much of the rents was paid in cows, sheep, pigs, fowls, eggs, &c., the remaining part being made up chiefly by manual labour.

Verse 35. ***Beat one*** — εδειραν, *took his skin off, flayed him*: probably alluding to some who had been *excessively scourged*.
***Killed another***, &c.] Rid themselves of the true witnesses of God by a *variety* of persecutions.

Verse 36. ***Other servants*** — There is not a moment in which God does not shower down his gifts upon men, and require the fruit of them. *Various instruments* are used to bring sinners to God. There are *prophets, apostles, pastors, teachers*: some with his gift after this manner, and some after that. The true disciples of Christ have been persecuted in all ages, and the greatest share of the persecution has fallen upon the *ministers* of his religion; for there have always been *good* and *bad* husbandmen, and the *latter* have persecuted the *former*.
***More than the first*** — Or, *more honourable*, so I think πλειονας should be translated; for, as the *fulness* of the time approached, each prophet more *clearly* and *fully* pointed out the coming of Christ.
Our translation, which says, *more than the first*, conveys no meaning at all. πλειος is the meaning I have given it above, in [Matthew 6:25](../../../kjv/matthew/6/25). πλειον της τροφης, *of* MORE VALUE *than food*; and in [Numbers 22:15](../../../kjv/numbers/22/15) πλειους και εντιμοτερους, *persons higher* in *dignity* and *office.*
**

Verse 37. ***Last of all he sent - his son*** — This requires no comment. Our Lord plainly means *himself*.
***They will reverence*** — εντραπησονται, they will *reflect* upon their *conduct* and *blush for shame* because of it, when they see my son. So the *Syric* and *Persic*.

Verse 38. ***Said among themselves*** — Alluding to the *conspiracies* which were then forming against the life of our blessed Lord, in the *councils* of the Jewish elders and chief priests. See [Matthew 27:1](../../../kjv/matthew/27/1).

Verse 39. ***Cast*****him*****out of the vineyard*** — Utterly rejected the counsel of God against themselves; and would neither acknowledge the *authority* of Christ, nor submit to his *teaching*. What a strange and unaccountable case is this! - a sinner, to enjoy a little longer his *false peace*, and the gratification of his sinful appetites, rejects Jesus, and persecutes that Gospel which troubles his sinful repose.

Verse [Matthew 21:41](../../../kjv/matthew/21/41). ***He will miserably destroy those wicked men*** — So, according to this evangelist, our Lord caused them to pass that sentence of destruction upon themselves which was literally executed about *forty years* after. But Luke relates it differently: according to him, they said μηγενοιτο, *God forbid!* The Codex Leicestrensis omits οιλεγουσιν, *they say*; so that the following words appear to be spoken by our Lord. Michaelis supposes that in the Hebrew original the word was ויאמר *waiomer*, *he said*; for which the Greek translator might have read ויאמרו *waiomeru, they said*.

Verse [Matthew 21:42](../../../kjv/matthew/21/42). ***The stone*** — R. Solom. Jarchi, on [Micah 5](../../../kjv/micah/5)., says, this *stone* means the *Messiah*, אכן משיח: Abarbanel is of the same opinion. This seems to have been originally spoken of *David* who was at first rejected by the Jewish rulers, but was afterwards chosen by the Lord to be the great ruler of his people Israel. The quotation is taken from [Psalms 118:22](../../../kjv/psalms/118/22).
As the *Church* is represented in Scripture under the name of the *temple* and *house* of God, in allusion to the *temple* of Jerusalem, which was a type of it, [1 Corinthians 3:16](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/3/16); [Hebrews 3:6](../../../kjv/hebrews/3/6); [1 Peter 2:5](../../../kjv/1-peter/2/5); so Jesus Christ is represented as the *foundation* on which this edifice is laid, [1 Corinthians 3:11](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/3/11); [Ephesians 2:20-21](../../../kjv/ephesians/2/20-21).
***The builders*** — The *chief priests* and *elders* of the people, with the *doctors* of the *law*.
***Rejected*** — An expression borrowed from masons, who, finding a stone, which being tried in a particular place, and appearing improper for it, is thrown aside, and another taken; however, at last, it may happen that the *very stone* which had been before *rejected*, may be found the most suitable as the *head stone of the* *corner*.
This passage, as applied by our Lord to himself, contains an abridgment of the whole doctrine of the Gospel.
1. The *Lord's* peculiar *work* is astonishingly manifested in the mission of Jesus Christ.
2. He, being *rejected* and *crucified* by the Jews, became an *atonement* for the sin of the world.
3. He was *raised* again from the dead, a proof of his *conquest* over *death* and *sin*, and a *pledge* of *immortality* to his followers.
4. He was constituted the *foundation* on which the salvation of mankind rests, and the *corner stone* which unites *Jews* and *Gentiles, beautifies, strengthens*, and *completes* the whole building, as the *head stone*, or *uppermost* stone in the corner does the whole edifice.
5. He is hereby rendered the *object* of the *joy* and *admiration* of all his followers and the *glory* of man. *This was done by the* *Lord, and is marvellous in our eyes*.

Verse [Matthew 21:43](../../../kjv/matthew/21/43). ***Therefore say I*** — Thus showing them, that to them alone the parable belonged. *The kingdom of God shall be taken* *from you*-the Gospel shall be taken from you, and given to the Gentiles, who will receive it, and bring forth fruit to the glory of God.
***Bringing forth the fruits*** — As in [Matthew 21:34](../../../kjv/matthew/21/34) an allusion is made to paying the landlord in *kind*, so here the Gentiles are represented as paying God thus. The *returns* which He expects for his grace are *the fruits of grace*; nothing can ever be acceptable in the sight of God that does not spring from *himself*.

Verse [Matthew 21:44](../../../kjv/matthew/21/44). The 44th verse should certainly come before [Matthew 21:43](../../../kjv/matthew/21/43), otherwise the narration is not consecutive.
-Verse [Matthew 21:42](../../../kjv/matthew/21/42). *The stone which the builders rejected, is become the* *head of the corner*, c.
-Verse [Matthew 21:44](../../../kjv/matthew/21/44). *Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken*, c. This is an allusion to the punishment of stoning among the Jews. The place of stoning was twice as high as a man while standing on this, one of the witnesses struck the culprit on the loins, so that he fell over this scaffold if he died by the stroke and fall, well; if not, the other witness threw a *stone* upon *his* *heart*, and despatched him. That stone thrown on the culprit was, in some cases, as much as two men could lift up. Tract *Sanhed*. and *Bab. Gemara*, and *Lightfoot*. See also the note on [John 8:7](../../../kjv/john/8/7).
He, whether Jew or Gentile, who shall *not believe* in the Son of God, shall suffer grievously in consequence; but on whomsoever the *stone* (Jesus Christ) *falls* in the *way of judgment*, he shall *be* *ground to powder*, λικμησει αυτον - it shall make him so *small* as to render him capable of being *dispersed* as *chaff* by the *wind*. This seems to allude, not only to the dreadful *crushing* of the Jewish state by the Romans, but also to that general *dispersion* of the Jews through all the nations of the world, which continues to the present day. This whole verse is wanting in the Codex Bezae, one other, five copies of the Itala, and Origen; but it is found in the parallel place, [Luke 20:18](../../../kjv/luke/20/18), and seems to have been quoted from [Isaiah 8:14-15](../../../kjv/isaiah/8/14-15). *He shall be* for *a* STONE *of* STUMBLING, *and for a* ROCK OF OFFENCE *to both the houses of Israel*- and *many among them* *shall* STUMBLE *and* FALL, *and be* BROKEN.

Verse [Matthew 21:45](../../../kjv/matthew/21/45). ***The chief priests - perceived that he spoke of them.*** — The most wholesome advice passes for an affront with those who have shut their hearts against the truth. When that which should lead to repentance only kindles the flame of malice and revenge, there is but little hope of the salvation of such persons.

Verse [Matthew 21:46](../../../kjv/matthew/21/46). ***They sought to lay hands on him, they feared the**********multitude*** — Restraining and preventing grace is an excellent blessing, particularly where it leads to repentance and salvation; but he who abstains from certain evils, only through fear of scandal or punishment, has already committed them in his heart, and is *guilty* before God. The intrepidity of our Lord is worthy of admiration and imitation; in the very face of his most inveterate enemies, he bears a noble testimony to the truth, reproves their iniquities, denounces the Divine judgments, and, in the very teeth of destruction, braves danger and death! A true *minister* of Christ fears nothing but God, when *his* glory is concerned: a *hireling* fears every thing, except Him whom he ought to fear.
This last journey of our Lord to Jerusalem is a subject of great importance; it is mentioned by all the four evangelists, and has been a subject of *criticism* and *cavil* to some unsanctified minds. He has been accused of "attempting, by this method, to *feel* how far the *populace* were disposed to favour his pretensions in establishing himself as a *king* in the land; or, at least, by his conduct in this business, he gave much cause for popular seditions." Every circumstance in the case refutes this calumny.
1. His whole conduct had proved that his kingdom was not of this world, and that he sought not the honour that cometh from man.
2. He had in a very explicit manner foretold his own premature death, and particularly at *this time*.
3. It is evident, from what he had said to his disciples, that he went up to Jerusalem at this time for the *express purpose* of *being* *sacrificed*, and not of erecting a *secular* kingdom.
4. What he did at this time was to fulfil a declaration of God delivered by two prophets, upwards of 700 years before, relative to his lowliness, poverty, and total deadness to all secular rule and pomp. See [Isaiah 62:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/62/11); [Zechariah 9:9](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/9).
5. All the time he spent now in Jerusalem, which was about five days, he spent in teaching, precisely in the same way he had done for three years past; nor do we find that he uttered one maxim dissimilar to what he formerly taught, or said a word calculated to produce any sensation on the hearts of the populace, but that of piety towards God; and in the parable of the *man and his two* *sons*, the *husbandmen and the vineyard*, he spoke in such a way to the rulers of the people as to show that he knew they were plotting his destruction; and that, far from fleeing from the face of danger, or strengthening his party against his enemies, he was come to wait at the foot of the altar till his blood should be poured out for the sin of the world!
6. Had he affected any thing of a *secular* kind, he had now the *fairest opportunity* to accomplish his designs. The people had already received him as *Jesus* the *prophet*; now they acknowledge him as the *Christ* or MESSIAH, and sing the *hosannah* to him, as immediately appointed by Heaven to be their *deliverer*.
7. Though, with the character of the Messiah, the Jews had connected that of *secular royalty*, and they now, by spreading their clothes in the way, strewing branches, c., treat him as a royal person, and one appointed to govern the kingdom yet of this he appears to take no notice, farther than to show that an important prophecy was thus fulfilled: he went as usual into the temple, taught the people pure and spiritual truths, withdrew at night from the city, lodged in private at Mount Olivet; and thus most studiously and unequivocally showed that his sole aim was to call the people back to purity and holiness, and prepare them for that kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, which he was about, by his passion, death, resurrection, ascension, and the mission of the Holy Spirit, to set up in the earth.
8. Could a person who worked such miracles as he was in the daily habit of working-miracles which proved he possessed *unlimited* *power* and *unerring wisdom*, need *subterfuges*, or a *colouring* for any design he wished to accomplish? He had only to put forth that power essentially resident in himself, and all resistance to his will must be *annihilated*. In short, every circumstance of the case shows at once the calumny and absurdity of the charge. But, instead of lessening, or tendering suspicious this or any other part of our Lord's conduct, it shows the whole in a more luminous and glorious point of view; and thus the *wrath of man* praises him.
9. That he was a *king*, that he was born of a woman and came into the world for this very purpose, he took every occasion to declare; but all these declarations showed that his kingdom was *spiritual*: he would not even interfere with the duty of the civil magistrate to induce an avaricious brother to do *justice to the* *rest of the family*, [Luke 12:13](../../../kjv/luke/12/13), when probably a few words from such an authority would have been sufficient to have settled the business; yet to prevent all suspicion, and to remove every cause for offence, he absolutely refused to interfere, and took occasion from the very circumstance to declaim against *secular views,* *covetousness*, and *worldly ambition*! O how groundless does every part of his conduct prove this charge of *secular ambition* to be!
Such was the spirit of the *Master*: such must be the spirit of the *disciple*. He that will reign with Christ, must be humbled and suffer with him. This is the *royal* road. The *love of the world*, in its *power* and *honours*, is as inconsistent with the spirit of the Gospel as the love of the grossest vice. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Reader, take occasion from this refuted calumny, to imitate thy Lord in the spirituality of his life, to pass through things temporal so as not to lose those that are eternal, that thou mayest reign with him in the glory of his kingdom. Amen.

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew/21#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Clarke's Commentary -  Matthew 21"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew/21#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew/21","name":"Clarke's Commentary -  Matthew 21","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew/21#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"Verse Matthew 21:1. Bethphage — A place on the west declivity of Mount Olivet, from which it is thought the whole declivity and part of the valley took th","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew/21#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew/21"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew/21#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary","name":"Clarke's Commentary"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew","name":"Matthew"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew/21","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/matthew/21","name":"21"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```