Matthew, 21
20. When the disciples saw it they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?"
20. When the disciples saw it they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?"
St. Matthew 21 presents the triumphal entry of Jesus in Jerusalem, as well as the purification of the temple and the controversy with religious leaders. Some of the main themes of this chapter include the authority of Jesus, their messianic mission, and the rejection of religious leaders. Following are five verses related to these themes:
Isaiah 62:11: "Behold, the Lord has heard to the ends of the earth, say to the daughter of Zion, Behold, your Savior comes with him, and his reward comes with him, and before him his reward." This prophetic verse of Isaiah describes the coming of the Savior, which is a reference to the Messiah. Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy and his role as the Savior is emphasized in St. Matthew 21.
Psalm 118:22-23: "The stone that the builders rejected, this was put as an angular stone. It came from the Lord and is wonderful to our eyes." Jesus quoted this verse when he talked about his rejection by religious leaders. Although they rejected him, he became the cornerstone of the church and the source of salvation.
Isaiah 56:7: "I will come to them to my holy mount and alert them in my house of prayer; their burnt offering and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called House of Prayer For all peoples. " This prophetic verse of Isaiah speaks of the house of prayer as a place of encounter with God to all nations. Jesus quoted this verse when he expelled the sellers of the temple, indicating that the temple should be a place of worship of God and not of commerce.
Psalm 69:9: "For the zeal of your house consumes me, and the affronts of those who affront you fall upon me." This Psalm of David speaks of God's zeal for his home and the suffering of the righteous because of his faithfulness to God. Jesus demonstrated zeal for the house of God when he expelled the sellers of the temple, and later suffered for his faithfulness to God.
Isaiah 53:3: "He was despised and the most rejected among men, a man of pain, and experienced in suffering; and, as one of whom men hid their face, was despised, and we did not do it at all." This prophetic verse of Isaiah describes the suffering of the suffering servant, which is a messianic figure. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by being rejected and suffering for the sins of humanity. His rejection by religious leaders is an important theme in St. Matthew 21.
“No tumulto das paixões terrenas e das adversidades, surge a grande esperança da misericórdia inexorável de Deus. Corramos confiantes ao tribunal da penitência onde Ele, com ansiedade paterna, espera-nos a todo instante.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
