Matthew 22-24

Matthew 22

 Parable of the Wedding Feast 

• Jesus tells a parable about a king preparing a wedding feast for his son
• The king sends servants to invite those originally invited (likely representing Israel), but:
  • they refuse to come
  • some ignore the invitation 
  • others violently mistreat and kill the servants
• The king responds to send troops to destroy the murderers and burn their city
• The invitation is then extended to:
  • anyone found in the streets “both bad and good”
• One man is found without a wedding garment (came unprepared but invited?):
  • he has no excuse
  • he is cast out into “outer darkness”

Paying Taxes to Caesar 

• Pharisees and Herodians (normally opposed groups) unite to trap Jesus
• They flatter Him, then ask: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?”
• This is a trap because if they say:
  • yes then that could alienate Jewish people 
  • no then that could mean rebellion against Rome
• Jesus asks for a coin (denarius)
• He asks whose image is on it: “Caesar’s”
• He replies:“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”

Sadducees and the Resurrection 

• Sadducees (who deny resurrection after death and only believe in Torah) present a hypothetical:
  • a woman marries seven brothers sequentially (levirate marriage law, Deut 25:5)
• They ask:whose wife will she be in the resurrection?
• Jesus responds that they misunderstand both Scripture and God’s power
• He explains:
  • in the resurrection, people are not married
  • they are like angels in that sense
• He proves resurrection using Exodus 3:6:
  • “I am the God of Abraham…” (present tense!)

The Greatest Commandment

• A Pharisee  tests Jesus:“Which is the greatest commandment?”
• Jesus answers with two:
  1. Love God (Deut 6:5  Shema)
  2. Love neighbor (Lev 19:18)
• He says all the Law and Prophets depend on these

Whose Son is the Christ? 

• Jesus now asks the Pharisees a question: “Whose son is the Christ?”
• They answer: “Son of David”
• Jesus quotes Psalm 110:1: David calls the Messiah “Lord”
• He asks: how can the Messiah be both David’s son and David’s Lord?
• The Pharisees cannot answer

From that point on, no one dares question Him

Matthew 23

Warning About the Scribes and Pharisees 

Jesus acknowledges that the scribes and Pharisees:

• “sit on Moses’ seat” (teaching authority from the Law)
• He instructs:
  • do what they teach (when it aligns with Scripture)
  • BUT do not imitate their lives
• Their behavior:
  • they preach but do not practice
  • they burden others with heavy demands
  • they seek public recognition:
    • phylacteries (Scripture boxes) enlarged
    • long fringes (Num 15:38)
    • places of honor, titles (“Rabbi”)
• Jesus redirects:
  • no titles that elevate status
  • greatness = humility and service

The Seven Woes 

Jesus delivers a series of formal judgments (“woes”) against the leaders:

1. Shut the kingdom: blocked others from entering heaven with their rules
2. Make worse converts: win people over but then do nothing with them
3. Blind guides: deceptive oaths
4. Tithe minor things, but neglect justice (Micah 6:8)
5. Clean outside, inside corrupt
6. Whitewashed tombs : appear righteous, but inwardly dead
7. Honor prophets but reject God’s messengers

• He declares:
  • they are sons of those who killed the prophets
  • judgment is coming upon this generation

Lament Over Jerusalem 

• Jerusalem kills prophets and rejects God’s messengers
• Uses imagery:
  • a hen gathering chicks under her wings (protection, care)
  • “your house is left to you desolate”
  • they will not see Him again until they say: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”

Matthew 24

The Olivet (Mt. Olives )Discourse 

Prediction of the Temple’s Destruction 

• Jesus leaves the temple and disciples admire it
• Jesus declares: not one stone will be left on another
• On the Mount of Olives, disciples ask:
  • when will this happen?
  • what are the signs of His coming and the end of the age?
• Jesus warns:
  • There will be false messiahs
  • wars, famines, earthquakes
• Describes persecution of believers
• Many will fall away
• Gospel will be preached to all nations

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 

 The Abomination of Desolation 

• Refers to Daniel’s prophecy (Dan 9, 11, 12)
  • Desecration of Jewish temple (holy place)
• Signals a time of severe distress
• Instruction to flee immediately (“to the mountains”)
• False signs and deception will increase

From: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-24/

v. Yet when we understand the importance and what is said about this event – the abomination of desolation – we must give priority to this event, even more than the easiest interpretation of Matthew 24:34.

· It is the critical sign mentioned in Matthew 24.

· It is the warning to flee mentioned in Matthew 24.

· It is the sign of the consummation of all things in Daniel 9:27.

· It is the sign foreshadowed by Antiochus Epiphanes in Daniel 11:31.

· It is the precise marker of days to the end in Daniel 12:11.

· It is the revelation of the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

· It is the image of the beast in Revelation 13:14-15.

Coming of the Son of Man 

• Cosmic changes (sun, moon, stars)
• The Son of Man appears in glory
• Angels gather the elect ἐκλεκτός (eklektos)
• Daniel 7:13 imagery

 Watchfulness and Readiness

• Fig tree lesson tells us to  recognize signs
• Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
  • This could mean the generation of those who see the signs, or the generation/race of the Jews (they will not be wiped out)
• “no one knows the day or hour”
• Comparison to Noah: people unaware until judgment came
• Parables:
  • faithful vs. wicked servant
  • Be prepared 

Application

Jesus gives His people a lot of information in these chapters. Essentially we need to always be vigilant. Do not succumb to fake signs or false prophets. Always be prepared, always be ready.