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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:24

Christ become a Questioner. Those who came to Christ on this occasion were distinctly officials, representatives of the Sanhedrin, the council which claimed and exercised authority in all matters related to religion. "Before its tribunal false prophets were arraigned. It dealt with questions of doctrine, and, when occasion arose, could exercise the functions of a council." "In the New Testament we see Christ before the Sanhedrin as a blasphemer ( Matthew 26:65 ); the Apostles Peter and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 21:23-27

See also Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-9.Matthew 21:23When he was come into the temple - That is, probably, into the inner court - the court of the Israelites.They took this opportunity of questioning him on this subject when he was not surrounded by the multitude.By what authority ... - There was a show of propriety in this question. He was making great changes in the affairs of the temple, and they claimed the right to know why this was done, contrary to their permission. He was not “a priest;” he... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 21:23-27

Matthew 21:23-27. When he was come into the temple, the chief priests came Who thought he violated their right: And the elders of the people Probably, members of the sanhedrim, to whom that title most properly belonged: which is the more probable, as they were the persons under whose cognizance the late action of Christ, in purging the temple, would naturally fall. These, with the chief priests, seem purposely to have appeared in a considerable company, to give the more weight to what they... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:23-32

122. Authority of Jesus questioned (Matthew 21:23-32; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8)When Jesus returned to the temple, the Jewish religious leaders came to trap him with a question. They hoped to find something in his answer that would enable them to bring a charge, civil or religious, against him. They asked him by what authority he acted the way he did, particularly in overthrowing the established practices of the Jewish temple (Matthew 21:23).Instead of answering directly, Jesus adjusted the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 21:24

thing = question. Greek. logos = word, or matter. if. The condition being quite dependent on a contingency. App-118 . I in like wise = I also. Note the Figure of speech Anteisagoge. App-6 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 21:24

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven, he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?The proposition Christ made was fair and sincere. If those complainers would answer a simple question he had for them, Christ agreed to answer theirs.... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 21:23-26

Matthew 21:23-26. And, when he was come, &c.— The rulers, much alarmed at the proceedings of Jesus, were very desirous of putting him to death; but they wished to do it under the pretext of law. See Mat 21:46 and Mark 11:18. In consequence of their intentions to do so, the chief priests, scribes and elders, that is to say, some of the first men of the nation, came by appointment of the Sanhedrim to Jesus, as he was teaching in the temple, and before all the people put two questions to him.... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 21:24

24. And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, &c. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 21:18-46

C. Israel’s rejection of her King 21:18-22:46This section of Matthew’s Gospel presents Israel’s formal rejection of her Messiah. Jesus had made a formal presentation of Himself to the nation’s populace and leadership in the messianic capital with His triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-17). Jesus’ earlier rejection had taken place in rural Galilee (ch. 12). Now Matthew recorded Israel’s response. [Note: For more light on the connections that unite this pericope with the previous one, see Mark... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 21:23-27

The issue of authority 21:23-27Israel’s religious leaders approached Jesus asking that He show them His credentials authorizing Him to disrupt the buying and selling in the courtyard and to heal people."Two incidents about authority (Matthew 21:23-27 and Matthew 22:41-46) serve as ’bookends’ to three parables (Matthew 21:28 to Matthew 22:14) and three controversial dialogues with the Pharisees and Herodians, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees (Matthew 22:15-40)." [Note: Bailey, in The New . . .,... read more

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