Matthew 21:1–9: “Behold, Your King is Coming to You”
Introduction
At long last, Jesus arrives at Jerusalem. In many ways, what we will read in the next few chapters is the main focus of the entire Gospel of Matthew, and the main focus of Jesus’ life. Here, Jesus comes to establish his kingdom once and for all. While the crowds in Matthew 21:1–9 wanted Jesus to establish his kingdom, they could not have imagined the way in which Jesus would go about that work. He did not come as the king that the people expected. Instead, King Jesus came to save his people in unexpected ways.
Discussion Questions
1. What is the significance of Jesus’ arrival at Jerusalem in this passage (v. 1)? Where has Jesus been previously? What was Jesus doing before arriving in Jerusalem? What will Jesus do now? In the context of what we have read so far, what is unusual about Jesus’ instructions to his two disciples (vv. 2–3)? How does the prophetic certainty and Jesus’ unusually forthcoming self-description as “Lord” set up what happens in the following week?
2. What does it mean for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem (v. 5; Zech. 9:9)? What is the significance of the donkey on which Jesus rides? How does Zechariah 9:10 help us to understand why Jesus did not ride something else, such as a war horse? How does Jesus portray his kingship by this action? How does Jesus portray his humility by this action? How does Jesus portray the burden that he will bear by this action?
3. Why did Jesus need to borrow a donkey at all? Why do Jesus’ disciples place their cloaks on the donkey, rather than a saddle (v. 7)? Why are only some of the people able to put their cloaks on the path before Jesus, while “others” can only cut down palm branches (v. 8)? What does this tell us about the resources upon which the kingdom of Jesus depends? What comfort can you draw from this story for the needs in your own life?
4. What do you think the people meant when they cried out, “Hosanna!” to Jesus (v. 9)? What did they want Jesus to do as the “son of David” who came “in the name of the Lord”? If you are honest, what do you want King Jesus to do for you in your own life? How does the kingdom of Jesus defy your expectations? How is the kingdom of Jesus a better solution to your problems than if Jesus had solved them according to your desires?
