Matthew 21 15

Matthew 21:15 kjv

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,

Matthew 21:15 nkjv

But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant

Matthew 21:15 niv

But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.

Matthew 21:15 esv

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant,

Matthew 21:15 nlt

The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David." But the leaders were indignant.

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 15 Meaning

Matthew 21:15 records the indignant reaction of the chief priests and scribes in the Temple to Jesus' miracles and, specifically, to the children openly proclaiming Him as the Messiah by shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David." This verse highlights the deep-seated opposition of the religious establishment to Jesus, whose divine authority and messianic identity were being acknowledged even by the most unexpected and seemingly insignificant members of society.

Matthew 21 15 Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' actions in the Temple after His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Jesus had just cleansed the Temple of merchants and money-changers (Matt 21:12-13), demonstrating His divine authority and righteous indignation against the misuse of God's house. Following this, He healed the blind and the lame within the Temple courts (Matt 21:14), providing tangible proof of His compassionate power and fulfilling ancient prophecies. It is in this dynamic and tense atmosphere—with Jesus asserting His authority and performing miraculous signs—that the children's spontaneous worship occurs. The religious leaders, specifically the chief priests and scribes, were the custodians of the Temple and the Law, viewing these events as a direct challenge to their control and interpretation of faith.

Matthew 21 15 Word analysis

• But when (Δὲ ἰδόντες δέ - de idontes de): "But" serves as a strong contrasting conjunction. While Jesus acts with authority and compassion, the established religious authorities react negatively. "Seeing" (ἰδόντες) emphasizes that their displeasure was based on direct observation of undeniable facts.
• the chief priests (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς - hoi archiereis): Refers to the most powerful and influential members of the priestly families, including the high priest and those who previously held the office. They were primarily concerned with temple operations and maintaining political stability with Rome.
• and scribes (καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς - kai hoi grammateis): The interpreters and teachers of the Jewish Law, often experts in oral tradition. They held significant religious authority among the common people. Both groups formed the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish ruling body.
• saw (εἶδον - eidon): Imperfect tense, suggesting continued seeing or sustained observation of Jesus' acts, reinforcing their conscious awareness of His impact.
• the wonderful things (τὰ θαυμάσια - ta thaumasia): Literally, "the wonderful (things)" or "miracles." Specifically refers to the healings of the blind and lame (Matt 21:14). These were not just impressive feats but divine signs pointing to Jesus' identity and God's power.
• that he did (ἃ ἐποίησεν - ha epoiesen): "That He made/did." Clearly attributing the powerful acts to Jesus himself, confirming His active role.
• and the children (καὶ τοὺς παῖδας - kai tous paidas): Refers to young boys, often those who served or were simply present. Their innocence and spontaneous, pure faith stand in stark contrast to the hardened hearts of the religious leaders.
• crying (κράζοντας - krazontas): Meaning "to cry out," "shout," or "proclaim loudly." Implies an excited, fervent, and perhaps tumultuous public declaration, not a quiet prayer. This was a very public display of recognition.
• in the temple (ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ - en tō hierō): The Temple compound, the holy site of Jewish worship. The location amplified the offense for the leaders, as it was their domain.
• and saying (καὶ λέγοντας - kai legontas): Direct quotation of their exclamation.
• Hosanna (Ὡσαννά - Hosanna): A transliteration of the Hebrew הוֹשַׁע נָא (hoshia' na'), meaning "save, please" or "save now." Over time, it evolved into an acclamation of praise and exultation, especially during joyful festivals and for a deliverer. It signified joyful expectation and recognition of a savior.
• to the Son of David (τῷ υἱῷ Δαυὶδ - tō huiō Dauid): A direct messianic title, recognizing Jesus as the rightful heir to King David's throne and the long-awaited Messiah. This was a profound theological statement, loaded with political and religious implications.
• they were sore displeased (ἠγανάκτησαν - ēganaktēsan): The Greek verb conveys deep indignation, outrage, or extreme displeasure, often a righteous anger or exasperation, but here it is a result of their unbelief and resistance to God's work. They were morally offended by the children's spontaneous worship of Jesus as Messiah in their sacred space.

Words-Group Analysis

• the chief priests and scribes: Represent the highest religious and political authority within Judaism. Their displeasure is the official reaction of the establishment to Jesus' popularity and claims, which they perceived as a threat to their power and status quo. They prioritized their institutional control over God's unfolding work.
• saw the wonderful things that he did: Their witness to Jesus' miracles (healing the blind and lame) left them no room to deny His power. However, instead of leading to faith, their perception of these divine acts hardened their hearts and fueled their animosity. They witnessed undeniable evidence but refused to accept its implications for Jesus' identity.
• the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: This entire phrase encapsulates a moment of profound spiritual contrast. The pure, unadulterated praise of children, who typically lacked formal religious training, becomes a powerful testimony to Jesus' messianic identity. Their innocent acclamation, offered spontaneously within the Temple itself, exposes the spiritual blindness of the adult religious leaders who suppressed such truth. The Temple, intended for praise, now resounds with cries of sincere worship directed at Jesus, which ironically causes "displeasure" for its caretakers.

Matthew 21 15 Bonus section

The irony in this verse is profound: the very children, often considered the least significant members of society, were given the spiritual insight to recognize and laud Jesus as the Messiah, using a title loaded with Old Testament prophetic fulfillment. This contrasts sharply with the "wise and learned" leaders who, despite their profound knowledge of Scripture, remained spiritually blind to the One those Scriptures pointed to. This dynamic illustrates a recurring theme in the Gospels: God often reveals Himself through unexpected means and to unexpected recipients, humbling the proud and exalting the humble (Matt 11:25). The children's shouts were, in essence, an unexpected and divinely appointed continuation of the triumphal entry's acclamation, serving as an unwelcome truth for those in power. Their rage solidified their resolve to seek Jesus' death.

Matthew 21 15 Commentary

Matthew 21:15 portrays the collision of two starkly contrasting spiritual states: the vibrant, spontaneous faith of the humble and the rigid, envious opposition of the religious elite. After Jesus demonstrates divine power through healing in the very heart of the Temple, children spontaneously erupt in worship, echoing the "Hosanna to the Son of David" that had welcomed Him into Jerusalem. This acknowledgment, straight from innocent lips within the sacred space the religious leaders guarded, was utterly unscripted and flowed from pure spiritual perception, fulfilling prophecy.

The chief priests and scribes were not just annoyed; they were "sore displeased" (ἠγανάκτησαν), filled with intense moral outrage. Their displeasure stemmed not from genuine theological concern but from a deep-seated rejection of Jesus' authority and messianic claims, exacerbated by His popularity and the erosion of their control. The very "wonderful things" that should have convinced them (Jesus' miracles) only intensified their opposition, revealing the hardening of their hearts. This episode is a powerful demonstration of how divine truth, even when plainly manifested and embraced by the innocent, can provoke intense resistance from those committed to their own authority and traditions above God's will.