Matthew 21:10-11

Matthew 21:10-11

[10] And  when he  was come  into  Jerusalem,  all  the city  was moved,  saying,  Who  this?  [11] And  the multitude  This  Jesus  the prophet  of  Nazareth  of Galilee. 

What is the context of Matthew 21:10-11?

What does Matthew 21:10-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Jesus probably entered Jerusalem through the sheep gate (St. Stephen"s gate, a name given to it after Stephen"s martyrdom; cf. Acts 7:58). This gate pierced the eastern city wall to the north of the temple enclosure. Worshippers brought sheep into the city through this gate for sacrificing because it was the closest gate to the temple. It was fitting that the Lamb of God should enter Jerusalem through this gate. Jesus" entrance into Jerusalem became the popular topic of conversation (cf. Matthew 2:3). The residents wondered who He really was. Most people who knew about Him described Him as a prophet from Nazareth whose arena of ministry had been mainly Galilee (cf. Matthew 2:23; Matthew 16:14; Matthew 21:46). This description reflects popular disbelief that He was the Messiah. [1]
Matthew stated that Jesus" entry stirred up the whole city (cf. Matthew 2:3). At this time a Herodian king no longer ruled Judea. Rome ruled it directly through a prefect. [2] The arrival of a Jewish king, from Galilee of all places, would, therefore, have caused great concern among Jerusalem"s residents. How would the Romans react?
"The significance of the triumphal entry is tremendous in this Gospel. To Matthew it is the final and official presentation of Jesus to Israel as its Messiah. This is evident for several reasons. The first is the manner in which Christ acts throughout this whole course of events. He deliberately makes very careful preparations to fulfill every detail of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. In addition He planned His movements with understanding of their significance....
"A second indication of the fact that Jesus presented Himself to Israel is seen in that the people recognized it as such.... [3]
"A third proof that the Lord presented Himself as the King of Israel is seen in the parables which the Messiah gives following this event....
"A fourth indication . . . is the time in which it occurred. Sir Robert Anderson has shown that the entry of Christ into Jerusalem occurred on the very day that the sixty-ninth week of Daniel"s prophecy had run out. [4] This is the exact time in which the Messiah was to come ( Daniel 9:25).
"Because Israel refused to accept the King when He was presented in exact fulfillment of their Scripture, their unbelief was confirmed beyond the shadow of a doubt. The reception which was given the King was without genuine faith and understanding. However, it did give a brief glimpse of that which will characterize the King"s reception when He appears to Israel for a second time." [5]