1. Read passage aloud. What did you notice in the reading? What words or phrase caught your attention?
2. Read passage aloud a second time. What questions would you ask the text?
3. Read passage aloud a third time. What do you hear God calling you to do or be in response to this text?
Interesting Ideas to Consider:
• Since last week’s parable, Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday in preparation for his crucifixion. Jesus directed this parable to the chief priests and elders as a response to their challenge of his authority when he was teaching in the temple.
• Jesus was not the only person questioning the legitimacy and authority of the religious leadership, who ruled at the pleasure of Rome. The religious leadership controlled large amounts of land, making them an easy connection to the rich and powerful landowners Jesus’ parables frequently targeted.
• Before Jesus would answer the question about his authority, he asked the religious leaders to explain the authority of John the Baptist. This put the leadership in a bind. The crowd thought highly of John the Baptist, and denying his authority would not go over well. But if the religious leaders agreed John the Baptist was “from heaven,” then the question follows, why didn’t they submit to his authority. Calling on John the Baptist places the conversation in the frame of all the previous prophets of Israel who stood up to corrupt religious leadership and were killed for their message.
• “We do not know” can be an honest profession of faith. Even Paul spoke of how he didn’t always know “how to pray” (Rom 8:26). But there is a difference between honest not knowing and refusing to make a decision. That is the side the religious leaders took.
• The central theme of this parable seems to be that while the Jewish religious leaders originally had accepted God, now they were turning away in favor of Roman power. Whereas those who had been saying no to God, the tax collectors and prostitutes, were now becoming followers.
Works Sourced:
Boring, M. Eugene. “The Gospel of Matthew.” The New Interpreter’s Bible Volume VIII. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1995.
Saunders, Stanley. “Commentary on Matthew 21:23-32.” Working Preacher.
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