New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 21:15

The King Enters

But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Matthew 21:15 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 21:15, in plain English

But the chief priests and teachers of the law are furious when they see the miracles and hear children shouting 'Hosanna to the Son of David!'

Why it's here

Miracles are happening and children are praising, and the religious leaders are angry about it. That tells you everything.

Who's speaking

The religious leaders reveal where their hearts really are.

Where it sits in the story

Children are singing and blind people are seeing, and the leaders are angry. They've completely missed the point.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

The chief priests and scribes are indignant (aganaktēsantes) at both the miracles and the children's 'Hosanna' cries — their anger reveals threatened institutional authority.

Language and setting

The religious leaders' frustration targets two things: Jesus' healing authority and the messianic acclamation from children, both challenging their power.

Voice

The narrator describes the religious leaders' hostile reaction to Jesus' temple activity.

Significance

While the blind see and children praise, the religious authorities seethe — unable to deny the miracles but unwilling to accept their implications.

In context

Matthew 21:13–17

13And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

14The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them.

15But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

16“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

17Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where He spent the night.

Read all of Matthew 21 — Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds shout hosanna. Within hours, he's overturning tables in the temple.

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