Lesson 30

I.       Observation

A.     Outline

Question of Authority (21:23-27)

Parable of Two Sons (21:28-32)

Parable of Tenants (21:33-46)

Parable of Wedding Banquet (22:1-14)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

Authority, do the will of his father, kingdom of God, believe, son, vineyard, bearing fruits, chief cornerstone, marriage, worthy, wedding garment, many called, few chosen.

II.    General Analysis

1a. A vineyard and the wedding banquet for the king’s son.

1b. The son who did what the father commanded. Those who would render fruits to the landowner. Those who accepted the king’s invitation and dressed appropriately.

2. Twice (21:25-26; 45-46).

III. Segment Analysis

1a. Cleansing the temple (12-13), healing the blind and the lame in the temple (14), and teaching in the temple (23).

1b. They felt that Jesus posed a threat to their own authority.

2a. John was Jesus’ forerunner. Anyone who believed that John was from God would have believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus did not need to answer their question because their refusal of John showed that they would also refuse Jesus, even though it was clear from what Jesus had done that His authority was from God.

2b. Their problem was their stubborn refusal to accept the one God has sent while trying to cover up their disbelief. They chose to reject God but did not want to lose their position as religious leaders. Such dilemma made them unable to answer Jesus’ counter-question. In effect, Jesus made them answer their own question and at the same time pointed out their callousness.

3a. One promised to go but didn’t. The other said no but went.

4. A better translation would read, “tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God—and you do not.” ^6/450Although the tax collectors and harlots had once refused to obey God, now they were repentant and humbly accepted Christ. The Pharisees and elders, on the other hand, displayed their piety but disobeyed God’s will in their hearts and actions. Profession with the mouth does not guarantee entrance into God’s kingdom (7:15-23).

5. Just as the second son only paid lip service, the religious leaders only professed to know God but did not believe those whom God had sent. Their lip service was for the purpose of receiving men’s praise and honor. This is why they were afraid to answer the Lord’s question in 24 and 25.

6a. God.

6b. Israel, or God’s chosen nation.

6c. The religious leaders whom God had appointed to teach and care for His people.

6d. Prophets of God.

7. They had no respect for or fear of the landowner. In the same way, the religious leaders’ rejection of God’s servants and of His Son showed that they did not honor God in their hearts.

8. The people’s answer justified God’s punishment and passed judgment on themselves.

9. By living a life in keeping with our repentance and submission to God’s will (3:8,10).

10a. Jesus is the stone. The world rejected Him, but God has set Him to be the chief cornerstone. Whoever wants to be saved must put their trust in Him (Acts 4:11,12). It is God’s marvelous act to make use of what people rejected to save those who believe (1Cor 1:18,23). Whoever despises or rejects him does so to their own destruction.

10b. Their own evil behavior (Jn 3:19,20). Judging Jesus with human standards (Mt 13:54-57). Unwillingness to deny oneself and take up the cross (19:22; 13:20-22).

11. They yielded to their own stubbornness and to popular opinion rather than to God’s warning. Their actions also showed their timid hypocrisy.

12a. The gospel of salvation is God’s gracious invitation to us. He has prepared the best things for us in abundance. We should feel honored to be God’s guest at His banquet.

12b. After those who were invited refused to come, the king still patiently offered to them the abundance of his banquet as reason to come (4). Without respecting the king’s command and invitation, they ignored him and even killed the servants. Likewise, many repeatedly turn down the honor of coming into God’s kingdom and even persecute those who preach the gospel.

13. Just as the garment was a requirement for attending the banquet, God also has His righteous requirements for those who wish to enter God’s kingdom. Those who seem to agree to the gospel but do not perform God’s will in their lives are not worthy of God’s kingdom (7:21). More specifically, the garment can represent baptism, the sacrament through which we put on Christ (Gal 3:26,27). Anyone who claims to believe in Christ but refuses to put on Christ through baptism is not fit to enter God’s kingdom (Jn 3:5).

14a. The first invitation was to a selected group whereas the second was inclusive of all people. The first group represented the Jewish leaders and people who rejected Jesus, since they were first chosen. The second group represented everyone who came to accept Christ, both Jews and Gentiles regardless of their past conduct (“both bad and good”).

14b. Everyone whom the servants found were called. But only those who accepted the invitation and dressed in wedding garment were chosen.

15. We should honor and accept God’s gracious gift of salvation by setting aside our own priorities and humbly obeying the gospel. We must receive the righteousness of God through baptism and practice God’s will in our lives.