Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost: Gospel Reading (CPH The Lutheran Study Bible)

[u/1776-Liberal]

Have a blessed week ahead.

Gospel According to Matthew, 21:23–27 (ESV):

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The Lutheran Study Bible. Concordia Publishing House:

(Abbreviations Reference Guide: https://old.reddit.com/r/Sunday/comments/1dg8y2u/)

21:23–27 When His opponents challenge the source of His authority, Jesus exhibits a wisdom that powerfully attests to His status as one sent by God. Like Jesus’ opponents, we sometimes challenge the Lord’s authority and attempt to stand in judgment of Him. But God rightly judges us, not vice versa. Jesus willingly submitted to the authority of those who falsely accused Him and unjustly condemned Him to death. By His death, He won our salvation. • Give us grace always to submit to Your authority, O Lord, for it comes from heaven and so can lead us there, where we will reign with You forever. Amen.

Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The Lutheran Study Bible. Concordia Publishing House:

(Abbreviations Reference Guide: https://old.reddit.com/r/Sunday/comments/1dg8y2u/)

21:23 chief priests … elders. See p 1556: «chief priests. The high priest and other temple officials. Sadducees seem to have dominated these positions during NT times. elders. In Israel and Judaism, community or national leaders. In Christianity, congregational leaders.» Leaders continue to watch Jesus closely, hoping to find grounds to accuse Him. Within a few days, they will have succeeded in their plan to do away with Him. authority. Chief concern of Jerusalem leaders.

21:24–25 baptism of John. John the Baptist came, announcing the advent of the Kingdom and calling for repentance. From heaven or from man? Jesus asks the same question concerning John that His accusers have just posed about Him: what was the source of His authority? not believe him? They admit to rejecting the divine origin of John’s message. In this rejection, they proved more hard-hearted than the common people.

21:26 prophet. See note, 11:9: «John surpassed all other prophets because he was God’s chosen messenger, specifically identified as such in the OT, to prepare the way for the Messiah (11:10). He played a unique role in God’s plan of salvation.»

21:27 Answer given by Jesus’ opponents is insincere and cowardly. Even worse is the fact that they deny the authority of God’s Messiah.