Matthew 21 Questions and Answers

Day 1

1. Read Matthew 21:1-11. Jesus didn't own anything so how did He get a donkey to ride?

2. What did the disciples and Jesus do to the donkey and her colt? Read also Mark 11:1-11 and Luke 19:28-40

3. Why did Jesus choose to ride on a donkey if He is the Messiah, the King?

4. What was the response of the crowd?

5. What is the meaning of "Hosanna"? Who were they indicating Jesus was? Why did Jesus let them cry out this announcement?

Day 2

6. How was Jesus different from what the people were expecting?

7. What kind of Jesus are you following? One of your own devising or one who brings transformation & cleansing?

8. Read Matthew 21:12-17. Where is the first place Jesus went when He entered Jerusalem? What did He do there?

9a. Do you think the church needs cleansing today? What do you think Jesus would do if He would come to cleanse our church?

b. Do you think our church is a house of prayer? Do you think true worship/prayer is basically ignored or even impossible in our churches? If so, what might cause it?

c. Is there is more activity than prayer in the church?

d. Are people getting right with God and confessing their sin and then because of their freedom worshipping God freely? Is worship contrived or over programmed?

10. What did Jesus do after He cleansed the Temple? What was the response?

11. How did Jesus respond to the indignation of the chief priests and teachers of the law?

Day 3

12a. Read Matthew 21:18-20. What makes this section about the fig tree so difficult to understand?

b. What may be a possible explanation?

13a. Do you think the church or we ourselves could be guilty of not fulfilling the reason for why we are here on earth? What is the purpose of the church on earth?

b. What does it appear will be the result if we don't fulfill our mission?

14. Read Matthew 21:21-22. What is Jesus promising us through prayer?

Day 4

15. Read Matthew 21:23-27. As Jesus was teaching in the temple courts what question did the chief priests and elders of the people ask him?

16. What was Jesus' response?

17. What was the answer the chief priests and elders of the people gave Jesus? Why did they give that answer?

18. Therefore, what was Jesus' answer to them?

19a. Are you ever afraid to tell the truth?

b. If we know the truth are we are obligated to tell it?

c. Are you ever afraid to admit you are wrong?

Day 5

20. Read Matthew 21:28-32. What do you think is the meaning of the parable of the two sons?

21. Read Matthew 21:33-46. What can we understand from this parable that would have been understood by the Jewish people and especially the religious leaders?

a. Who is the landowner?

b. What does the vineyard represent?

c. Why was a wall/hedge built?

d. What was the watchtower used for?

e. Who were the farmers (tenants) that the landowner rented the vineyard to?

f. Who were the servants?

g. What were they sent to do?

h. What did they do to the servants?

i. Who was the son that was finally sent?

j. Where did they kill the son?

k. What answer did the crowd give to Jesus' question as to what the owner will do to the tenants?

l. Who are the other tenants that the owner will rent to?

22. What was the stone that was rejected but became a capstone (cornerstone)? (Psalm 118:22-23; Acts 4:10-11)

23a. Why is the part about the stone a part of the parable?

b. What will happen to the kingdom of God?

24. What does it mean that those who fall on that stone will be broken to pieces and those He falls on He will crush?

Day 6

25. What does this parable tell us about God?

26. What does this parable tell us about people?

27. What do we learn about Jesus from this parable?

28. What conclusion did the religious leaders have after Jesus told this parable? What did they want to do as a result?

29. How do you respond when God convicts you of something that is not right in your life?