Authority

Series: Matthew

Title: Authority

Scripture: Matt 21:23-32

Subject: Authority

Central Theme:  Submitting to Authority

Resource: Lifeway’s ETB Winter 25 Lesson #9

Objective Statement:

Every person should humbly submit to Jesus’ authority for these 2 reasons.

Reason #1 – Jesus is the ultimate authority. (23-27)

Reason #2 – Submission is the right response. (28-32)

Introduction

FIRST THOUGHTS

Steady erosion can eventually undermine a foundation, resulting in destruction. In the same way, erosion of respect for authority can undermine an institution, a business, a government, or a country. Authority is the right to influence or command another. The weight of authority is eroding in our society. Fewer and fewer people respect or even recognize authority. Many even actively reject established authorities.

What are the results of rejecting established authority?  

Of course, as followers of Christ, we believe He holds ultimate authority in our lives. But even the best of us still might be tempted to question that authority at times. We can be like the religious leaders in the verses leading up to our focal passage for this session.

“Matthew 21 moves into the final week of Jesus’s ministry before His crucifixion. Much of the action recorded by Matthew in chapters 21–22 occurred in the temple. The week began with Jesus entering Jerusalem to the shouts of praise from the crowd of pilgrims entering the city for the Feast of Passover. Once inside Jerusalem, Jesus moved into the temple precinct. Here began a series of confrontations with the religious leaders who opposed Jesus.” 

Transition: As we study today’s verses, let’s examine our hearts. Let’s determine how we tend to respond to Jesus’s authority in our lives and surrender areas we’ve been holding back from Him. 

Every person should humbly submit to Jesus’ authority for these 2 reasons.

Reason #1 – Jesus is the ultimate authority. (23-27)

Matthew 21:23–27 KJV 1900

23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. 27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

(v. 23) Jesus again had come into the temple on Tuesday of Passion Week. The area where Jesus was teaching was not the temple sanctuary (naos). Instead, he ministered in the temple’s large courtyard (hieron), known as the Court of the Gentiles. This area was open to everyone and was surrounded by porticoes that provided shade for people to gather in groups.

In this courtyard, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him. The chief priests were the leading priests charged with protecting the temple and its worship. The elders were important laymen from aristocratic families. Mark 11:27 and Luke 20:1 add “the scribes,” who were probably Pharisees. This indicates that all three groups of the Sanhedrin were present.

Interrupting a rabbi was not considered rude. It was a common method of instruction. This delegation had two questions—By what authority doest thou these things? and Who gave thee this authority? These things seems to refer specifically to Jesus’s messianic actions more than His teachings. But the real question concerned the nature and the source of His authority (exousia).

The second question implies that a school or eminent person granted Jesus’s authority. Their questions were designed to put Jesus on the horns of a dilemma. If He said His authority came from God, He would be charged with blasphemy (see Matt. 9:3; 26:59-66). If He responded that His authority was from another source, they would argue endlessly about its legitimacy. 

(v. 24) Jesus responded in typical rabbinic fashion with a counter question: I also will ask you one thing. He added that their willingness to respond would determine His response to them. Jesus was not being evasive; but, in a sense, He was defining the rules, exerting the very authority they questioned.

(vv. 25-26) Jesus shifted the focus from Himself to John the Baptist: The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? John’s baptism represented all of John’s prophetic ministry. Jesus set up a contrast between divine mission and human origin.

The leaders reasonedamong themselves, suggesting a dramatic deliberation. Of course, the proper response (from heaven) would have affirmed Jesus’s own authority and led to another uncomfortable question: Why did ye not then believe him? The second option (of men) risked the crowd’s anger since many of them believed John was a prophet. Ironically, the leaders were afraid of the people they supposedly represented. Indeed, Luke 20:6 states that they thought the people might stone them.

(v. 27) We cannot tell was not a truthful answer. They had an opinion; they just wouldn’t express it. But their refusal to answer Jesus’s one question allowed Him to avoid answering their questions directly: Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. Once again Jesus used the very words of their inquiry—these things (vv. 23,24,27).

Implicitly, Jesus’s opponents had answered their own questions. The Source of Jesus’s authority was linked to the Source of His forerunner’s authority (“heaven,” pointing to God). And the people who considered John a prophet held the same view of Jesus (v. 46).

Application Point: We can expect some to oppose or reject Jesus’s authority. 

Ask: What were the chief priests and elders trying to accomplish by interrogating Jesus? 

Explain: Point out that Jesus had created a stir during the “triumphal entry” and when He had cleansed the temple. Note that He represented a threat to the religious leaders’ power, so they questioned His authority:  

The chief priests and elders were confronted with the possibility of losing face before the crowds surrounding Jesus. They could say how they truly felt about John’s ministry, but then they would suffer the wrath of the crowd for that opinion. Or they could admit that John was a prophet with divine authority, and by association, admit that Jesus had the authority of God on His own ministry. Either way, they would come out the loser.

Ask: For what reasons do people not accept Jesus’s authority? 

Explain: The leaders ended up affirming Jesus’s authority through their silence. Since Jesus and John shared the same Source of authority (God), the prophetic authority of both was valid. The leaders fell into the very trap they had hoped to set for Jesus. 

Every person should humbly submit to Jesus’ authority for these 2 reasons.

Reason #2 – Submission is the right response. (28-32)

Matthew 21:28–32 KJV 1900

28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

(vv. 28-31) After the confrontation with the religious leaders, Jesus told three parables (Matt. 21:28-32; 21:33-46; 22:1-14). The first of these, the two sons, appears only in Matthew. What think ye? is a question Jesus used to call people’s attention to what He was about to say.

A father told his son work to day in my vineyard. Initially, the young man refused, but afterward he repented, and went. The word translated repented (metamelomai) indicates “regret” and a change of heart. Jesus later used the same word negatively to describe what the stubborn religious leaders wouldn’t do (v. 32).

The father then gave the same instruction to his other son, whose response was the exact opposite: I go, sir. The word sir (kyrie) can mean “lord.” However, this son went not to the vineyard and didn’t obey his father’s command.

(v. 31) Jesus then asked the religious leaders another question: Whether of them twain did the will of his father? The answer was obvious—the first. And with that answer they were caught by their own verdict since Jesus already had made it clear that only those who do the will of the Father will enter His kingdom (7:21).

As shocking as that might have seemed, Jesus’s next statement went even farther. At least twenty-six times in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus used Verily I say unto youto introduce important sayings. Here, He shared that the publicans and the harlots would enter the kingdom ahead of the religious elite. Jews hated publicans. They were seen as collaborators with Rome and known for overcharging people to enhance their own wealth. They also were not opposed to taking bribes or extracting payments with threats of violence.

Likewise, harlotry was forbidden in Israel (Deut. 23:17-18) and considered an abomination. The existence of prostitutes in Israel often stemmed from economic necessity and involved collaboration with Roman soldiers at inns or low class bars that served as brothels. Along with Gentiles and lepers, most Jews saw publicans and harlots as the worst society had to offer.

Yet, Jesus told the religious leaders these despised groups would enter God’s kingdom before you. The word go into indicates these sinners had left behind their former lifestyles. Bible students debate the implication of before you. Some think the tax collectors will enter first, followed by the religious leaders. Others believe it is the equivalent of “instead of.” In context, the latter seems most likely. 

(v. 32) Extending His explanation, Jesus returned to John the Baptist who revealed the way of righteousness (Luke 7:29). But the religious leaders believed him not. In contrast, the publicans and the harlots believed him (Matt. 9:10-13; Luke 3:12-13), and it changed their lives. When the leaders saw such a transformation, it should have had an effect on them. Still, they repented not.

Praying Scripture

Philippians 2:9

Spend time praying Scripture using this session’s memory verse, Philippians 2:9. Read the verse, then respond to these questions:

· How does God reveal Himself in this verse?

· How should I respond to what He reveals?

Example: Acknowledge Jesus’s authority in every area of your life. Seek forgiveness for times you act like the second son in Matthew 21:28-32 and refuse to obey Him.

EXPLORE Matthew 21:28-32

Application Point: We demonstrate our acceptance of Jesus’s authority by our obedience to Him.

Read: Invite a volunteer to read Matthew 21:28-32 aloud as the group notes the responses of the sons.

Discuss:

Explain: Affirm the role of submission to Jesus’s authority in entering the kingdom of God:

When the religious leaders answered by saying the first carried out the will of his father, they indicted themselves for their response to John’s message and subsequently to Jesus’s ministry. Jesus compared the response of the religious leaders to His ministry with that of publicans and the harlots. . . . Jesus told [the leaders] that these outcasts would enter God’s kingdom “before you.” This does not necessarily imply that these leaders would eventually make it into God’s kingdom. The phrase “before you” could be translated “take the place of.” Simply stated, unless the priests and elders changed their thinking about the Messiah, they would be left behind.

Ask: Practically speaking, what does it look like to recognize Jesus’s authority?

Reflect:

Group Activity Option

Object Lesson: Referee’s Jersey

Bring a referee’s striped jersey to the Bible study. As you show adults the shirt, encourage them to share what it stands for during a game. Emphasize that referees are considered the authority during a game. They identify rule violations and enforce the punishment for those violations. Ask: How did Jesus demonstrate His authority on earth? Stress that Jesus revealed His authority by doing the Father’s will (v. 31). Note that we also submit to His authority through obedience.

CHALLENGE

Summarize:

· We can expect some to oppose or reject Jesus’s authority.

· We demonstrate our acceptance of Jesus’s authority by our obedience to Him.

Discuss: Lead a brief discussion about where adults see people rejecting Jesus’s authority in our culture. Challenge them to find ways to demonstrate the authority of Jesus as they go through their days. 

Discuss: Enlist a volunteer to read the first set of questions on page 88 of the PSG aloud. Encourage adults to take time this week to assess Jesus’s authority in their own lives and to remember that their example will serve to guide others to do the same. Suggest they read and reflect on the second set of questions on page 88 of the PSG during the week ahead.

Pray: Allow the group a time of silent confession, inviting adults to speak with God about how they embrace His authority and any changes that need to be made. Close the session in prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to let each person see where and how He would guide them as they take steps into deeper obedience and surrender to Jesus’s authority. 

AFTER THE SESSION

During the week, text or email the adults in your Bible study. Remind them of Jesus’s question from Matthew 21:31: “Whether of them twain did the will of his father?” Encourage them to consider their own willingness to yield their focus and authority to God. Suggest they continue using Pack Item 9 (Handout: Praying Scripture in Matthew’s Gospel) to reflect on God’s truth as they dig into His Word each day.

KEY DOCTRINE:

God

To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. (See 1 Peter 1:15-17; Hebrews 12:28-29.)

BIBLE SKILL:

Use a Bible dictionary to learn more about people in the Bible.

Using a Bible dictionary, collect information on the following topics: the chief priests, the elders, tax collectors, and prostitutes in first-century Israel. Reflect on the role each played in Jesus’s ministry. How did each one impact Jesus’s message and ministry? Spend time in prayer asking God to help you understand Jesus’s work more clearly and to relate to people in a way that reflects His character.