Matthew 20-22 Class Comments

1. 20:1-16 How does the landowner seem to act unfairly? [Consider: Is there any way this might seem fair, or is his right to act unfairly the point of the story?] Comments: The late workers received a day’s wages for an hour’s work, meaning their hourly wage was much more than those who had started early. One thing this teaches is that it’s never too late to become a Christian, that those who serve in the kingdom for only a short time receive the same reward as those who have served a lifetime. A similar story is that of the Prodigal Son, who received his father’s blessings even after being wayward for a while. Still another observation was that the landowner gave the early workers their wages last for a reason: He wanted them to learn the lesson that “the first shall be last, and the last first,” that as the landowner he has the right to grant favor on whomever he will. None of us earns salvation, no matter how hard we may work or how valuable we consider our worth to God.
   
2. 20:17-19  How does this prophecy of Jesus’ death and resurrection differ from the previous times He has told His disciples of it? (16:21 and 17:22-23) Comments: In chapters 16 and 17, Jesus told of his death and resurrection as something that would happen in the future, mentioning only Himself. In this incident, it is about to happen, and it will also involve the disciples. “We are going up to Jerusalem….” The moment they had been dreading is imminent.
   
3. 20:20-28  What does Jesus teach about the value of humility? [Consider: Why does Jesus instruct the ten about humility? Isn't that the instruction James and John should receive?] Comments: We weren’t sure whether or not James and John were included in these instructions, but it certainly applied to them – and to us. The ten showed their desire for prominence by voicing their resentment for James and John – whether they put their mother up to making the request or simply allowed her to do so. It’s as if they were thinking, “Why didn’t I think of it first?” Other observations: Jesus stepped in to prevent further quarreling, pointing out that the nature of the spiritual kingdom is not about pre-eminence. For added effect, He compares what they’re doing to the worst of what the Gentiles do – those despised Gentiles.
   
4. 20:29-34 Why did Jesus heal the blind men? How soon did it take effect? [Consider: Why would Jesus ask the blind men what they wanted? Wouldn't it have been obvious?] Comments: He healed the blind men out of compassion, and it took effect immediately. Suggestions about why Jesus asked what they wanted: God wants us to express our needs to Him, even though He already knows what we need. He wants us to show our faith in Him by praying. The commentator Matthew Henry suggests that Jesus wanted them to ask for what only God can give. Before He asked, they were just crying out for mercy. Did they want alms, or did they want healing from the only One who could give it?
   
5. 21:1-11 Find and note the different designations for Jesus in this passage. Comments: Jesus; the Lord; your King; Son of David; He who comes in the name of the Lord; prophet from Nazareth of Galilee. We talked about other names given to Jesus in the New Testament: Bread of Life; Living Water; Savior; the Door; the Shepherd; the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
   
6. 21:12-17 Was this an act of temper on Jesus' part? (See Mark 11:11.) What was wrong with what they were doing? Comments: It wasn’t impulsive, because the day before, He had gone into the temple to look around, according to Mark 11:11; it was an act of righteous anger. Only animals sold at the temple were “authorized sacrifices,” for which the people were overcharged. Then on top of that, the temple merchants would accept only temple money, for which the money changers charged exorbitant rates. Would Jesus be any less angry with those today who use His Word to achieve financial gain?
   
7. 21:18-22 When the disciples saw Jesus curse the fig tree, what was their concern? What is the lesson of the fig tree? Comments: They didn’t wonder how Jesus had done that, even though the day before they had seen him curse it. They wondered only how it had happened so fast. This may be symbolic of God’s judgment on Israel, and how immediate that judgment can be. It also talks of hypocrisy – of seeming to be fruitful when it’s all for show.
   
8. 21:23-27 What is our natural tendency when asked a confrontational question? What valuable technique does Jesus demonstrate here? Comments: To strike back or to defend ourselves. Jesus does what many psychologists recommend when dealing with people: You answer a question with a question. He knew their motives and wasn’t going to be led into their trap.
   
9. 21:28-32  How does this parable relate to the context? How might you have reacted if you had been one of the chief priests or elders? Comments: All the parables in this section have to do with acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah. If I had been one of the chief priests or elders, with their arrogance and self-righteousness, and Jesus had 1) refused to answer my challenges and 2) told me that despised tax collectors and harlots would enter the kingdom of God before me because they had accepted Jesus when I hadn’t, I would have been furious.
   
10. 21:33-41 What teaching technique(s) does Jesus use here (especially v. 40)? Comments: He uses word pictures and analogies – much as Nathan did when he confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba. And just like Nathan, by asking them the meaning of the parable, Jesus allowed them to draw their own conclusions.
    
11. 21:42-46 Why did it take so long for the chief priests and Pharisees to realize Jesus was talking about them? What was their immediate response? Comments: They were not only arrogant, they were ignorant (v. 42 – “Have you never read…?). They had a pre-conceived image of the Messiah – one who was more like them, and would approve of them. Before, He had talked in parables and then explained them only to his disciples. Now He’s wanting the religious leaders to know that they are the target of His criticism. They wanted to do away with Him, but couldn’t, because of His popularity.
    
12. 22:1-14 Describe two ways invitees rejected the invitation. How did the man without the wedding robe react when he was confronted by the king? [Consider: How can we avoid being him?] Comments: Some made light of it; others abused his servants. The man without the robe was speechless; he didn’t say a word. At least he could have asked where he could get the proper garments! He was unprepared to be at the feast – maybe like some who want to take part in Christianity, want to be among the favored, but aren’t prepared to do what is required of them.
    
13. 22:15-22 What motivated the Pharisees' question about paying taxes? [Consider: Why would the Pharisees use the Herodians to ask this question?] How did they react to his response? Comments: They wanted to entangle him – again. The Herodians were a political, not a religious, sect, who supported Herod and Roman rule. The Pharisees objected to Roman rule, so typically, they were enemies.
    
14. 22:23-33 Who were the Sadducees? What was the motivation for their question? [Consider: Should we just come out and tell people they're wrong, as Jesus did here?] Comments: They were a sect that didn’t believe in the resurrection from the dead. They asked a question designed to trip him up. The consensus was that many times we don’t speak up when we should. We need to know our own motives and the motives of those we’re speaking to. Do they want to learn; do we want them to know the truth? A further observation: The Sadducees were not only ignorant of the Scriptures, in denying the resurrection, they were denying the power of God. If He create, He can resurrect.
    
15. 22:34-40 What are the two great commandments? [Consider: How does Jesus' answer compare to the Ten Commandments?] Comments: Love your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. They are similar. The first encompasses the first four of the Ten Commandments; the second one encompasses the remaining six.
    
16. 22:41-46 Whose Son is the Christ? What did David say about Him? Comments: He is the son, or descendant of David, yet He is superior to David, because David calls the Messiah his lord. This is quoted from Psalm 110:1 and quoted again in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost.