New Testament in a Year – Matthew 21

The Triumphal Entry - Matthew 21:1-11

Understand It

• To where was Jesus traveling? With whom? (21:1)
• Through what village were Jesus and His disciples passing? (21:1)
• How were the disciples instructed to answer anyone who might object to their actions? (21:2)
• Jesus sent two of His disciples to find and return with what? Why? (21:2-3)
• Why was this incident significant? (21:4-5)
• How did the two disciples respond to Jesus’ instructions? (21:6)
• When the men returned with the donkey and colt, what did Jesus do? (21:7)
• What did the gathered crowd place on the road? Why? (21:8)
• What size crowd participated in welcoming Jesus? (21:8)
• What did the crowds shout as Jesus entered Jerusalem? (21:9)
• How did this "parade" affect those living in Jerusalem? (21:10)
• What did the crowd accompanying Jesus say about Him to those in the city? (21:11)

Apply It

• How can you honor Jesus as King this week?
• What special gift (time, money, possessions, effort, etc.) of worship can you present to Jesus today?
• What does the Lord "need" from you (see Matthew 21:3) today to accomplish His plan in your life?

Jesus at the Temple - Matthew 21:12-17

Understand It

• After entering Jerusalem, where did Jesus go? What happened there? (21:12)
• What did Jesus do in the temple area? (21:12)
• What sort of goods were being sold in the temple courts? (21:12)
• What did Jesus quote to those in the temple? (21:13)
• Jesus accused the merchants of turning the temple into what? Why? (21:13)
• What kinds of handicaps and infirmities did Jesus heal while at the temple? (21:14)
• What were the children in the temple area shouting? (21:15)
• How did the chief priests and teachers of the law feel when they heard the children shout praise to Jesus? (21:15)
• What did the religious leaders ask Jesus? (21:16)
• How did Jesus answer the religious leaders? (21:16)
• What did Jesus do when He left the temple? (21:17)

Apply It

• What change in your giving do you need to make this month?
• What hymn of praise would help you praise and worship God this week?
• What impure habits or practices are taking place in your temple (i.e. your body) that you need to drive out this week?

The Fig Tree Withers - Matthew 21:18-22

Understand It

• Where was Jesus going? When? (21:18)
• What was Jesus feeling? When? (21:18)
• What caught Jesus’ attention? Why? (21:19)
• What did Jesus discover when he made a closer inspection of the fig tree? (21:19)
• What did Jesus do to the fig tree? (21:19)
• What happened immediately after Jesus cursed the fig tree? (21:19)
• How did the withered fig tree incident affect the disciples? (21:20)
• What did the disciples ask Jesus? (21:20)
• What did Jesus cite as the necessary ingredient to doing "impossible" things? (21:21)
• What even more amazing feat than causing a fig tree to wither did Jesus claim was possible? (21:21)
• What attitude did Jesus encourage us to have in prayer? (21:22)

Apply It

• *What prayer of faith do you need to begin praying on a regular basis this week?
• What change in your life today would enable you to become more fruitful?

The Authority of Jesus Questioned - Matthew 21:23-27

Understand It

• Where was Jesus when the incidents of this passage occurred? (21:23)
• What was Jesus doing when He was interrupted? (21:23)
• Who interrupted Jesus? Why? (21:23)
• What questions did the chief priests and the elders ask Jesus? (21:23)
• What deal did Jesus make with his accuser? (21:24)
• Jesus’ question dealt with what subject? (21:24)
• What were the only two possible answers the religious leaders could give? (21:25-26)
• What was the drawback to claiming that John’s ministry was divinely inspired? (21:25)
• What was the risk of claiming that John had no divine authority? (21:26)
• How did the religious leaders finally respond to Jesus? (21:27)
• What reply did Jesus give to the chief priests and elders? (21:27)

Apply It

• In what area of your life do you need to submit to Jesus’ authority today?
• How can you humble yourself before God today?
• The Parable of the Two Sons - Matthew 21:28-32

Understand It

• Who are the main characters in this parable? (21:28)
• In the Parable of the Two Sons, what did the man say to his first son? (21:28)
• How did the first son respond to his father’s words? (21:29)
• What happened to the first son later? (21:29)
• What did the man say to his second son? (21:30)
• How did the second son respond to his father’s words? (21:30)
• What did the second son actually do? (21:30)
• What question did Jesus ask His audience at the end of the parable? (21:31)
• Who did Jesus claim would be in heaven before the religious leaders in His audience? (21:31)
• According to Jesus, who came to show the Jews the way of righteousness? (21:32)
• How did the religious leaders respond to John’s message? (21:32)

Apply It

• What step can you take this week toward correcting a mistake?
• What command of Christ that you have been neglecting do you need to obey today?
• What promise that you made to Christ can you keep today?

The Parable of the Tenants - Matthew 21:33-46

Understand It

• How did the landowner in this parable prepare his vineyard? (21:33)
• What did the landowner do at harvest time? (21:34)
• How did the tenants of the vineyard treat the landowner’s servants? (21:35)
• What did the landowner do after his servants were attacked? (21:36)
• How did the landowner’s alternative plan work? (21:36)
• What solution did the landowner finally decide on? (21:37)
• How did the tenants react to the landowner’s choice? (21:38-39)
• What end did Jesus predict for the wicked tenants of the parable? (21:40-41)
• What did Jesus quote to the religious leaders? (21:42)
• How did Jesus personalize or apply this parable and Scripture to the nation of Israel? (21:43-44)
• What did the religious leaders realize when they heard Jesus’ parable? (21:45)
• What did the chief priests and elders try to do? (21:46)
• Why didn’t the chief priests and elders carry out their plan at that moment? (21:46)

Apply It

• What is one practical step you can take to submit to God and obey His Word this week?
• Today or tomorrow, how can you show God your appreciation for His goodness toward you?