Matthew 21:23–32

Rumble in the Temple

It is important to remember that Jesus’ confrontation with the “chief priests and elders” at Matt. 21:23–27 follows closely on the heels of His triumphal entry and Matthew’s version of the cleansing of the Temple. These events thus provide the background and motivation for the chief priests’ and elders’ challenge to Jesus: “By what authority are You doing these things? Who gave You this authority?” In asking two questions that center around the authority of Jesus, they rightly recognize the claim to messianic kingship that Jesus’ actions connote. That Jesus’ claim to authority is motivating this confrontation with the chief priests and elders is further confirmed by the fact that their questions are posed while Jesus “was teaching”…