Matthew 21

The triumphal entry is interesting in many ways. It runs parallel to the story of how Solomon became king in 1 Kings 1:33-38, and also fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.

David ordered Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet to put Solomon on David's mule and bring Solomon to the Gihon spring to annoint him king. The Gihon spring is near the west entrance to Jerusalem, facing the Mount of Olives.

Jesus and Solomon both rode donkeys instead of warhorses, which symboloize both their humility and their peaceful reign.

Solomon's procession was in opposition to his brother trying to usurp his throne. Jesus's procession was in opposition to the religious and political authorities in Jerusalem.

Solomon entered Jerusalem with the mission of building the temple. Jesus entered Jerusalem and proceeded to cleanse the temple.

Jesus cleansed the temple because it had been turned into a marketplace where people were trying to buy the approval of the religious leaders rather than worship God. And, rather than leaving after having caused all kinds of commotion, Jesus began healing people in the temple - showing God's compassion on those who were truly crying out to Him there. And He sealed the whole incident with the praise of children, who had no status or authority in that place, but could truly worship Him with all their heart.

When Jesus left He came across a fig tree with no fruit and He cursed it. The fig tree represents Israel, and more specifically the leadership of Israel. (Jeremiah 8:13; Hosea 9:10; Micah 7:1) The tree was full of leaves, which meant it should have also been bearing fruit - just like the leaders of Israel had the appearance of righteousness, but were corrupt. The withering tree was prophetic of the destruction of the temple and dispersion of Israel.

And that incident is sandwiched between Jesus displaying authority in the temple, and then having his authority challenged by the chief priests. They show their own lack of authority when He responds with His own question, and so Jesus brushes them off.

Then Jesus started speaking to them in parables again as a sign of judgement against them. He ended by saying that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from them and given to a people who will produce its fruit - which ties back into the fig tree incident earlier.

This whole chapter is the beginning of the final confrontation between Jesus and the religious establishment of Israel. Before this Jesus told people not to tell anyone who He is, but now He is announcing clearly to everyone that He is the Messiah.