Matthew 21:25

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:25

The baptism of John ( το Ì βα ì πτισμα το Ì Ἰωα ì ννου ). By "the baptism which was of John" Christ means his whole ministry, doctrine, preaching, etc.; as by circumcision is implied the whole Mosaic Law, and the doctrine of the cross comprises all the teaching of the gospel, the chief characteristic connoting all particulars. From heaven, or of men? Did they regard John as one inspired and commissioned by God, or as a fanatic and impostor, who was self-sent and had... 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 21:25

baptism. App-115 . heaven. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for "God", singular. of = from. Same word as "from" in preceding clause. 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 21:25

25. The baptism of John—meaning his whole mission and ministry, of which baptism was the proper character. whence was it? from heaven, or of men?—What wisdom there was in this way of meeting their question will best appear by their reply. If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?—"Why did ye not believe the testimony which he bore to Me, as the promised and expected Messiah?" for that was the burden of John's whole testimony. 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 21:24-26

Jesus responded to their question with one of His own. This was common rabbinic debate technique (cf. Matthew 15:3; Matthew 22:20). [Note: Plummer, p. 293.] By referring to John’s baptism Jesus meant everything associated with his baptism, his whole message and ministry. Since John was Jesus’ forerunner the leaders’ response to John’s ministry would answer their own question about Jesus’ authority. If they said John’s ministry was from heaven they would have had to acknowledge that Jesus’... read more

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