Behold Your Christ: King, Priest, and Prophet

Open The Text (Matthew 21:1-27)

Introduction

Throughout the history of Israel, God established distinct offices: prophet, priest, and king. Yet these offices were never united in a single ordinary individual.

The kings came from the line of Judah (and for a time Benjamin), ruling over the people

The priests came from the tribe of Levi, ministering in the temple before God

The prophets were raised up by God, often standing outside both structures to speak His Word

At times, individuals held two of these roles in some sense:

Some prophets also functioned in priestly contexts (e.g., Samuel, who offered sacrifices, and possibly figures like Nehemiah exercising covenantal oversight)

Some kings, like David, spoke prophetically

But never in Israel’s history do we see a single man who fully and properly holds all three offices at once.

There is only one shadow of this reality in the Old Testament: Melchizedek, who is prophet priest and king, and stands as a type pointing forward to something greater.

This means that for generations, the offices remained divided—anticipating a day when they would be perfectly united.

In a single chapter, Jesus does not partially reveal Himself, but fully: as King, as Priest, and as Prophet.

I. TEXT (Exposition)

1. The King Revealed (vv. 1–11)

Before we even arrive at Matthew 21, Matthew has already been building—carefully and deliberately—the case that Jesus is the King.

He begins his Gospel with this declaration: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David.” From the outset, Matthew is not merely giving history—he is making a claim. Jesus stands in the royal line. He is the promised heir to David’s throne.

Then in Matthew 2, the Magi arrive asking a question that sets the tone for the entire Gospel: “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?” Even at His birth, Christ is as King. And notice—this recognition comes from the nations (men of the east), while Jerusalem is troubled.

Throughout the Gospel, this kingly theme continues to unfold. Jesus proclaims the “kingdom of heaven,” not as an abstract idea, but as a present reality breaking into the world. His miracles demonstrate authority—over sickness, over nature, over demons, even over death itself. His parables describe the nature of His kingdom: how it begins small, grows steadily, and will ultimately encompass all.

Again and again, Matthew is pressing the idea that Jesus is the King from the line of David.

Which leads us to Chapter 21

Christ enters Jerusalem deliberately fulfilling Zechariah 9:9, which Matthew explicitly cites. Zechariah wrote his prophecy after the exile and at that time there was no King. His prophecy pointed to a time when a King would be sent to them and He would establish a kingdom that would extend to the ends of the earth. And here, Jesus openly, arranging the circumstances Himself so that the manner of His entrance interprets His identity.

He chooses the donkey → in contrast to a warhorse (cf. Zech. 9:9–10), signaling a king who brings peace rather than immediate military conquest

The crowd cries:

“Hosanna!” (Please save us)

“Son of David!” They are acknowledging his kingship.

This is a royal procession, seen in the crowd spreading cloaks on the road and crying out royal and messianic titles (cf. 2 Kings 9:13; Psalm 118:25–26).

Yet:

No sword

No army

No warhorse

He is a King, yet not the kind they expected. They longed for deliverance from Rome and their circumstances, but He came to deliver them from their sin—the greater enemy.

This is the unveiling of His kingship. Matthew has been proving it from the first verse, and now Christ makes it unmistakably clear.

2. The Priest Revealed (vv. 12–17)

Christ enters the temple—the house of God.

What does He find?

Corruption (the temple filled with buying and selling)

Exploitation (money changers and merchants taking advantage of worshippers)

False worship (activity replacing true devotion)

He drives them out and declares:

Matthew 21:13 ESV

He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

This is Jesus exercising priestly judgment, declaring the house out of accord with God’s purpose by the Word (Isaiah and Jeremiah).

Begin with John 2. At the outset of His ministry, Jesus enters the temple, makes a whip of cords, drives out the animals, overturns the tables, and commands, “Take these things away.” The house is cleared. What fills it is removed so that its true condition stands exposed.

Now set that beside the law in Leviticus 14. When a house was suspected of defilement, the priest first ordered it to be emptied (v. 36), and then he entered to inspect it. If the disease remained, he would return for a second inspection, and only then pronounce the house clean or unclean.

With that pattern in view, Matthew 21 comes into focus. Christ returns to the temple. What He exposed at the beginning remains. The activity continues, the corruption abides. The second visit confirms the condition of the house.

Thus the thread runs in order: the house is cleared (John 2), the law provides the pattern (Leviticus 14), and the return establishes the verdict (Matthew 21). What stands before Him is not reformed, but unchanged—therefore prepared for judgment.

And what follows?

He heals the blind and lame

Children praise Him. (The goodness of having our kids in worship with us)

True worship is restored in part.

Notice, however, that this priestly act already carries a prophetic edge. In cleansing the temple, Jesus is not only purifying worship—He is also exposing corruption and announcing judgment. The roles are not neatly separated here: as He inspects and cleanses like a priest, He simultaneously speaks and signifies like a prophet. This prepares us for what follows.

3. The Prophet Revealed (vv. 18–27)

The Fig Tree

Leaves → appearance of life

No fruit → reality of barrenness

Christ curses it.

In that season, a fig tree in leaf should have at least the early signs of fruit. Yet this tree, though outwardly full, had nothing to offer.

This is a prophetic sign-act: like the symbolic actions of the Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah with the clay pot, the visible act interprets a spiritual reality—Jerusalem (The Temple) appears alive, yet is spiritually barren.

But Matthew does not record this in isolation. Notice the flow of the chapter: Jesus has just cleansed the temple, exposing corruption in the very place that should have borne the fruit of true worship. He finds a house full of activity—but empty of righteousness.

Then, immediately, He encounters a tree full of leaves—but empty of fruit.

Just as the temple had all the outward signs of life—sacrifice, commerce, crowds—yet was devoid of true devotion, so the fig tree presents a visible abundance that conceals inward barrenness.

In both cases, Christ reveals what is already there. In both cases, His response is judgment. The cleansing of the temple and the cursing of the fig tree stand together as a unified prophetic declaration: what appears fruitful but is not will not endure.

The Confrontation

The leaders ask:

Matthew 21:23 ESV

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?”

Jesus does not simply answer their question—He exposes their hearts. He asks about John’s baptism, forcing them to reckon with prior revelation. But instead of asking what is true, they begin to calculate: “If we say from heaven… if we say from man…” They are not seeking truth, but weighing consequences. In the end, they answer, “We do not know,” not because they lack evidence, but because they refuse to submit to it. In this way, their unbelief is revealed as willful rejection, not ignorance.

This is the work of a prophet:

Revealing truth

Exposing hearts

Declaring judgment

Doctrine: The Lord Jesus Christ, in His final entrance into Jerusalem, openly manifests Himself in all of the offices of our redeemer as Prophet, Priest and King, and in that demands full submission of His people.

1. Christ is the King

The Son of David

The rightful ruler

His authority is inherent

2. Christ is the Priest

He cleanses what is defiled

He restores true worship

He has authority over the house of God

He will cleanse the temple and ultimately replace it.

3. Christ is the Prophet

He reveals the truth of God

He exposes false religion

He pronounces judgment on fruitlessness

Christ stands revealed in the fullness of His offices.

Uses

Use 1: Instruction

See the fullness of Christ.

You must receive Him in all His offices, as our confession teaches:

In respect of our ignorance, we stand in need of His prophetical office, that He might reveal to us the will of God for our salvation.

In respect of our alienation from God, and the imperfection of even our best works, we stand in need of His priestly office, that He might reconcile us to God and present us acceptable before Him.

And in respect of our averseness and utter inability to return to God, and for our rescue and security from our spiritual adversaries, we stand in need of His kingly office, that He might convince, subdue, draw, uphold, deliver, and preserve us unto His heavenly kingdom.

The error of the mormons. If you don't have the right Jesus then that Jesus cannot save you.

Use 2: Examination

Are you like the crowd, the children, or the leaders?

The Crowd: loud praise, shallow understanding

The Leaders: clear evidence, hardened rejection

The Children: simple, true worship

Use 3: Reproof

Beware of fruitless religion.

Our Lord comes as Prophet and lays the axe to the root. He exposes what men would rather hide.

The fig tree was full of leaves, yet barren. It made a show of life, yet yielded nothing to the one who came seeking fruit.

So it is with many:

Church attendance is present

The right language is learned

External morality is maintained

Yet when Christ comes seeking fruit, He finds none.

This is not a small defect—it is a damning condition. To appear alive and yet remain barren is to stand under the same judgment.

Consider this carefully: is there fruit in your life that God Himself would recognize, or only leaves that men admire?

As the Apostle exhorts, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” Do not rest in appearances. Bring your life under the light of God’s Word and see whether Christ has truly wrought fruit within you.

Use 4: Warning

Christ still inspects His house.

He examines:

Churches

Families

Hearts

And declares clean or unclean.

Consider how He walks among the seven churches in Revelation—commending what is true, exposing what is lacking, calling to repentance, and warning of judgment. What He did there, He still does: His eyes are as a flame of fire, and nothing in His house escapes His searching gaze.

Remember: this King is not neutral toward His enemies. As Psalm 2 declares, the nations rage in vain and the Son will break His enemies with a rod of iron. As Psalm 110 reveals, He will rule in the midst of His enemies until they are made His footstool. Therefore, let us be warned—not to remain on the side of those who oppose Him, but to kiss the Son and submit before His judgment falls.

Use 5: Comfort

There is strong consolation for those who have fled to Christ.

Our Lord Himself declared that tax collectors and prostitutes entered the kingdom before the self-righteous, because they heard His word and believed. He does not cast off those who come to Him in repentance, but receives them.

2290Are you willing to be saved? Are you willing to forsake sin, willing to take Christ to be your Master? Are you willing to be made happy, willing to escape hell? Strange that it should be necessary to ask such questions, but still it is. Are you willing? Then remember that whatever may be against you—whatever may have defiled you—however black, however filthy, however worthless you may be, you are invited this day to take of the fountain of the water of life freely, for you are willing, and it is said, “Whosoever will, let him come.” Says one, “God knows I am willing, but still I do not think I am worthy.” No, I know you are not, but what has that to do with it? It is not “Whosoever is worthy,” but “whosoever will.”—5.437

Charles Spurgeon

Though Psalm 2 warns that His wrath is quickly kindled, it also declares, “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” The same King who judges His enemies is a refuge to His people.

Consider also His priestly office. We have such a High Priest who ever lives to intercede for us. He stands even now before the Father on behalf of His people, presenting His own sacrifice and pleading for us in all our weakness. Our failures do not surprise Him; our shortcomings do not exhaust His mercy.

Nor is He distant. By His Spirit, He dwells within us, leading us into the truth and applying His Word to our hearts. What He commands, He also works within us.

And as King, He does not leave us to fight alone. He subdues our enemies, preserves us, and brings us safely to His kingdom. His rule is not cold authority, but active care.

Here then is our comfort: our Christ is not far off. He is our Prophet who teaches us, our Priest who intercedes for us, and our King who defends and preserves us. In all our need, He is sufficient.

Use 6: Exhortation

Take this Christ with you.

Go to Him as your Prophet—hear His Word, submit your thoughts to it, and let Him teach you the will of God.

Go to Him as your Priest—bring your sin, your weakness, your failures, and rest them upon His sacrifice and His continual intercession.

Go to Him as your King—yield your will, fight your sin, and trust Him to subdue what you cannot and to preserve you unto the end.

Do not leave Him in the text. Do not admire Him from a distance. Take Him, trust Him, follow Him—today, and every day, until He brings you into His kingdom.