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Matthew 21:18-27
Authority is the power to do something, either by excuse or exemption. A teacher will excuse the class, allowing them to leave one class to go to the next. Teachers don’t need to ask. They have the power and authority already to leave the class by their position. In this passage of Scripture, we see Jesus’ authority through his power and position.
18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” 23 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?” 24 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. 25 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?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 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.
Jesus has all authority. Although there are people who question or even challenge his authority, Jesus overcomes all doubt. Our response to Jesus is to have active faith in who he is and what he has done for us.
Discussion Questions
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
Authority is the power to do something, either by excuse or exemption. A teacher will excuse the class, allowing them to leave one class to go to the next. Teachers don’t need to ask. They have the power and authority already to leave the class by their position. In this passage of Scripture, we see Jesus’ authority through his power and position.
18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” 23 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?” 24 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. 25 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?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 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.
Jesus has all authority. Although there are people who question or even challenge his authority, Jesus overcomes all doubt. Our response to Jesus is to have active faith in who he is and what he has done for us.
Discussion Questions
- What is something that sticks out to you in this passage? Why?
- Read Exodus 12:1-6. How does this passage tie into this story?
- Jesus is described in this passage as our Savior (Hosanna), Champion (comes in the name of the Lord), and King (king of Israel). Why do all of these matter?
- If Jesus is our Savior, Champion, and King, how does this affect our lives? What do we need to stop doing? What do we need to start doing?
- How does this passage give us hope?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
- How is your time with God?
- What are you praying for?
- What are you struggling with?
- Who are you praying for to know Jesus?
- What gospel conversations have you had this week with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?