Matthew 21:23-32 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The authority of Jesus.

The "things" in reference to the doing of which this question of the authority of Jesus was raised by the chief priests and elders, were his purging the temple from the traffickers, his publicly teaching and working miracles of healing there. Mark, by more clearly placing the miracle of the withering of the fig tree in order before these things, brings them into closer connection with the passage before us. We may profitably consider the authority of Jesus—

I. AS IT IS EVIDENT IN HIS CONDUCT .

1 . His questioners were not ignorant of his claims.

2 . His conduct vindicated his claims.

"Seest thou yon harlot, wooing all she meets;

The worn out nuisance of the public streets;

Herself from morn to night, from night to morn,

Her own abhorrence, and as much your scorn?

The gracious shower, unlimited and free,

Shall fall on her when Heaven denies it thee."

(Cowper.)

3. Note here the gospel call.

II. AS IT IS EVIDENT IN THE TESTIMONY OF JOHN .

1 . John ' s baptism was proved to be " from heaven. "

(a) "The baptism of John" is here put for his doctrine.

(b) Jesus, by submitting to John's baptism, accepted and sanctioned his doctrine.

(c)