Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 21:20-22
Mark separated the cursing of the tree and the disciples’ discovery that it had withered by one day (Mark 11:13; Mark 11:20). Matthew simply combined both events into one story without saying anything that would make Mark’s account incompatible.Jesus’ response has led some commentators to conclude that what He was teaching with the cursing of the fig tree was simply the importance of faith, not God’s judgment on Israel. [Note: E.g., Walvoord, Matthew: . . ., p. 159-60.] However this seems... read more
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