Luke 19:28
¶ And when he had thus spoken, he went
before, ascending up to Jerusalem. 29
And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at
the mount called the mount of
Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30
Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied,
whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any
man ask you, Why do ye loose him?
thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and
found even as he had said unto them. 33
And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them,
Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said,
The Lord hath need of him. 35 And they
brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set
Jesus thereon. 36 And as he went, they
spread their clothes in the way. 37 And
when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the
whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud
voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in
heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And
some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke
thy disciples. 40 And he answered and
said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones
would immediately cry out.
Here is a scene of triumph before sorrow. A prophecy goes;
Zechariah
9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly,
and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt
the foal of an ass.
It is interesting that no fuss is recorded at the disciples’
appropriation of this man’s animals (Matthew 21 also mentions the mother of the
colt.) But, God owns all creatures and we simply are stewards of His property.
Psalm
50:7 ¶ Hear, O my people, and I will
speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy
God. 8 I will not reprove thee for thy
sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to
have been continually before me. 9
I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11
I know
all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
Luke
12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and
not one of them is forgotten before God?
Speaking of stones in verse 40, an interesting word study is
apparent here.
Isaiah
55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and
be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before
you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Notice the following metaphor;
Matthew
3:9 And think not to say within
yourselves, We have Abraham to our
father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up
children unto Abraham.
Certainly, God could do this. After all, we are made out of the
dust of the ground as per Genesis 2:7. It is not hard to imagine God making
rocks and stones have sound come out of them if something as complicated as
life can come from inert elements of the earth by His command.
Here the crowd of disciples announces Christ as king. The
Pharisees are not pleased with that. This isn’t something they want their Roman
overlords to hear.
John
11:45 ¶ Then many of the Jews which came
to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46 But some of them went their ways to the
Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. 47 Then gathered the chief priests and the
Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the
Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
In fact, a crowd of Jews will assert their loyalty to Rome, that
they do not have a king other than Caesar,...
John
19:15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto
them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
…even condemning themselves to torment and suffering in this life
for centuries to come…
Matthew
27:25 Then answered all the people, and
said, His blood be on us, and
on our children.
It is a blessed thing, though, that many verses show us that God
is not done with His people, that nation He chose out of the Gentiles at Ur
nearly two thousand years before Christ.
Luke 19:41
¶ And when he was come near, he beheld
the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying,
If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now
they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the
days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee,
and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and
thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon
another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. 45 And he went into the temple, and began to
cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; 46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is
the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. 47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the
chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy
him, 48 And could not find what they
might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Here is a prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans
in AD70. Josephus, a Jewish general who went over to the Romans, gave us the
history of that event if we can believe what he wrote. The siege and
destruction of Jerusalem was the main event of the First Jewish-Roman War that
ended not only in the disaster to the city but the destruction of the Temple,
as well.
What was called Herod’s Temple, the Second Temple with the first
destroyed by the Babylonians hundreds of years previously, will be destroyed.
The Jews will suffer for rejecting their Messiah and for fabricating a false
religion, a house of cards built on the Mosaic Law, not too different from what
many Christians have done. It seems to
be a character trait of mankind, making it up as they go along. But, some
historical writers say that the destruction of Jerusalem marked the great shift
away of Christianity from its Jewish roots.
Verse 46 is a reference to two verses in the Old Testament.
Isaiah
56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy
mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and
their sacrifices shall be
accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Jeremiah
7:11 Is this house, which is called by
my name, become a den of robbers in
your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it,
saith the LORD.
Notice how word substitution between Testaments helps define
words. See thieves in verse 46 substituted for robbers in Jeremiah 7:11.
Luke,
chapter 20
Luke
20:1 ¶ And it came to pass, that
on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the
gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us,
by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this
authority? 3 And he answered and said
unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or
of men? 5 And they reasoned with
themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then
believed ye him not? 6 But and if we
say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was
a prophet. 7 And they answered, that
they could not tell whence it was. 8
And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do
these things.
Jesus uses the popularity of John the Baptist here in this
encounter with the chief priests, scribes, and elders. It is a masterful
argument in its simplicity as He deals with this interruption before continuing
to teach the people. By asking the question Jesus places them in a difficult
position where either way they answer the question works against their agenda.
The authorities saying that they do not know the origin of John’s
authority to say what he said underscores the political nature of their ways of
thinking. If a Pharisee, scribe, or elder admitted that what John the Baptist
said and did was from God they would be ostracized from their peers. If they
said it was not from God they would face a riot. There was really no way out
that their conniving minds could find.
The condition of a person’s heart determines whether they are
willing to hear the truth. Modern Christians, especially conservative and
traditional ones, often try to employ argument on behalf of Christ to try to
win someone over. And yet, people do not come to Christ by argument. They come
to Christ by a changed heart. There are people who practice a religion whose
god is so weak he needs them to kill non-believers for him. He has no power
over reality because he is an invention of a crazed psychopath’s imagination.
There are people who believe that there are only secular, political answers to
the questions of life and they are not just atheists in not seeing evidence for
God’s existence and sovereignty but they are anti-theists in that they display
a religious zeal to keep others from believing what they don’t believe.
Jesus did not acknowledge any authority over Him by these
religious leaders who came upon him, violently and suddenly, demanding an
answer by giving them one. Later, He will do the same in denying Herod’s
authority over Him in any respect by remaining silent in the face of Herod’s
questions.
You should understand that when confronted by the two types of
people I mentioned just a moment ago, among others, that there are people who
attempt to dominate by demanding from you an answer that they will not hear,
that they have already eliminated as a possibility from their mind. Do not
argue with them. There are those among their ranks, very few admittedly, who
will see the logic and beauty of Christ’s Gospel because of the testimony of
your life in the way you live and in your ability and willingness to publish
the Gospel, the working of the Holy Spirit in their spiritual heart, and their
previously unrealized willingness to receive the Gospel. But, you will not win
them by arguing with them. In doing so you only give them power. It is similar
to when someone teaches self-defense they teach a person to not let themselves
become engaged in a conversation with a stranger because just talking with a person
intent on doing one harm gives them power and an advantage.
There are several times when Jesus denies some group’s authority
over Him by asking a question and not arguing but simply stating a fact and
walking away or simply refusing to answer at all and remaining silent as
prophesied in Psalms 38 & 39 and Isaiah 53. Two examples will suffice, I
think.
First, later in Luke with Herod in a passage showing that the
enemies of Christ may hate each other for other reasons but will put aside
their enmity in their hatred of Him, and you for trusting in Him.
Luke
23:6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he
asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7
And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he
sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. 8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding
glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to
have seen some miracle done by him. 9
Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and scribes
stood and vehemently accused him. 11 And
Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and
arrayed
him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. 12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made
friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
The second is coming up regarding money. There is no argument,
simply a question and a statement, neither of which were answerable by Christ’s
enemies. Just imagine for yourself an unanswerable question you can ask when
confronted. For instance, an atheist or agnostic, which is an atheist who is
hedging his bets, says there is no God. You ask, “well, if there is no God then
why is there something rather than nothing? Things don’t create themselves.”
Luke 20:9 ¶ Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. 17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
Jesus continues His teaching in the temple turning back to the
people with a parable that is obviously about God trying to reach the Jews,
sending His prophets whom they treated shamefully, and then Christ, their
Messiah, whom they would kill. As writers like De Coulanges in his landmark
work entitled The Ancient City: A Study
of the Religion, Laws, and Institutions of Greece and Rome wrote the eldest son in a family possessed
the authority of the father and when he acted on the father’s behalf it was the
same as if the father himself had acted.
In the context of this parable Jesus quotes something from the Old
Testament. When Jesus quotes a verse from a Psalm or other Old Testament book
whether in teaching or from the Cross we would do well to read the context, not
just the verse, to see how it applies to Him.
Psalm
118:1 ¶ O give thanks unto the LORD; for
he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his
mercy endureth for ever. 4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his
mercy endureth for ever. 5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD
answered me, and set me in a
large place. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what
can man do unto me? 7 The LORD taketh my
part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. 8 It
is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 9 It
is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but
in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. 11
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name
of the LORD I will destroy them. 12 They
compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in
the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 13
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the
righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. 16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the
right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. 17
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. 18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath
not given me over unto death.
19 ¶
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: 20 This gate of the LORD, into which the
righteous shall enter. 21 I will praise
thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders refused is become
the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is
the day which the LORD hath
made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now
prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the
LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. 27 God is
the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. 29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Christ as the cornerstone can also be found prophetically here.
Isaiah
28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD,
Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious
corner stone, a sure
foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Now note in Zechariah this prophecy, keeping in mind the reference
to the BRANCH and the fact that Joshua is in Hebrew “Jehovah is Salvation”
while Jesus is the same from Greek.
Zechariah
3:1 ¶ And he shewed me Joshua the high
priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right
hand to resist him. 2 And the LORD said
unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen
Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not
this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
4 And he answered and spake unto those
that stood before him, saying,
Take
away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused
thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of
raiment. 5 And I said, Let them set a
fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed
him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. 6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto
Joshua, saying, 7 Thus saith the LORD of
hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou
wilt
keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my
courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
8 ¶
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit
before thee: for they are men
wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. 9
For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will
engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the
iniquity of that land in one day. 10
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his
neighbour
under the vine and under the fig tree.
For Luke 20:19 see Isaiah as well.
Isaiah
8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself;
and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he
shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of
offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the
inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many
among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
The important prophecy of Christ from Psalm 118 is also referred
to in the following New Testament passages.
Matthew
21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye
never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same
is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is
marvellous in our eyes?
Mark
12:10 And have ye not read this
scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the
corner:
Acts
4:11 This is the stone which was set at
nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
1Peter
2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which
be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the
head of the corner, 8 And a stone of
stumbling, and a rock of offence, even
to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also
they were appointed.
The religious leaders understanding is opened and they know that
the parable Jesus spoke was an indictment of them and those who ruled before
them. They do not grab Jesus then as they feared the people. See how in your
understanding the word and can also
be thought of as but in the context
of verse 19? The religious leaders are concerned about mob violence against
them if the people bought into what Jesus is saying. Josephus told us in his
writing of how volatile the situation was in Judea and how riotous people could
be sparked by almost anything to violence. Hence, Roman rule could be
oppressive by necessity. Here, Jesus has launched a broadside against the
religious elite, as they understand it, and they want Him gone.
Finally, see how verse 15 prophecies that Jesus will be executed
outside of Jerusalem. First, from what Moses left us;
Exodus
33:7 And Moses took the tabernacle, and
pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of
the congregation. And it came to pass, that
every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the
congregation, which was without the camp.
Leviticus
4:12 Even the whole bullock shall he
carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the
ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are
poured out shall he be burnt.
Then, from Paul’s writing in Hebrews;
Hebrews
13:11 For the bodies of those beasts,
whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned
without the camp.12 Wherefore Jesus
also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without
the gate.13 Let us go forth therefore
unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
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