Matthew 21 17

Matthew 21:17 kjv

And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

Matthew 21:17 nkjv

Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.

Matthew 21:17 niv

And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Matthew 21:17 esv

And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

Matthew 21:17 nlt

Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 17 Meaning

Matthew 21:17 concisely details Jesus' routine at the end of a demanding day in Jerusalem. After his significant actions in the temple, including cleansing it and encountering opposition from the religious leaders, Jesus withdrew from the bustling and hostile city. He then traveled to Bethany, a familiar village nearby, to spend the night there. This reflects Jesus' need for rest and retreat from public ministry, choosing a place of safety and companionship amidst increasing tension during the Passion Week.

Matthew 21 17 Context

Matthew 21:17 immediately follows Jesus' actions and confrontations in the Jerusalem temple. In the preceding verses (21:12-16), Jesus had driven out the merchants and money-changers, healed the blind and lame, and defended the children's praises against the objections of the chief priests and scribes. These acts marked a direct challenge to the corrupted religious authority of the city. Historically, Jerusalem became extremely crowded during Passover, and it was common for pilgrims to seek lodging in surrounding villages like Bethany. Jesus' decision to leave the city and lodge in Bethany establishes His daily routine during this final week before His crucifixion: spending the day teaching and confronting in Jerusalem, then retiring to the peace of Bethany for the night, away from the intense hostility of the city.

Matthew 21 17 Word analysis

• And he left them (κατέλιπεν αὐτούς, katelipen autous):
  • Katelipo implies a deliberate act of leaving behind, abandoning, or forsaking. It suggests an intentional disengagement rather than a mere departure.
  • "Them" refers specifically to the chief priests and scribes (mentioned in v. 15), but it broadly includes the atmosphere of opposition and unbelief within the temple precincts and Jerusalem.
  • Significance: Jesus withdrawing from confrontation and a spiritually hostile environment, signifying His divine authority to separate from corruption and dictate His own movements.
• and went out (ἐξῆλθεν, exelthen):
  • A simple verb indicating physical exit. It reinforces the definitive action of His departure.
  • Significance: Demonstrates a clear and distinct physical separation from the immediate scene of conflict.
• of the city (τῆς πόλεως, tēs poleōs):
  • Refers to Jerusalem. More than just a geographical place, "the city" (Jerusalem) carries profound religious and historical symbolism for Israel. It was the heart of Jewish worship and authority.
  • Significance: Jesus' regular departure from Jerusalem could symbolize a temporary abandonment of a city that, though central to God's covenant, was rejecting His Messiah, foreshadowing future judgment upon it.
• into Bethany (εἰς Βηθανίαν, eis Bēthanian):
  • Bethany: A small village about two miles (approx. 3 km) east of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives. It was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, who were close friends of Jesus.
  • Significance: Bethany was Jesus' haven, a place of peace, love, and acceptance, starkly contrasting with the growing hostility and rejection He faced in Jerusalem. It provided both physical rest and spiritual refreshment. Its name may also be interpreted as "house of affliction" or "house of figs," providing a subtle link to future events like the cursing of the fig tree.
• and he lodged there (καὶ ηὐλίσθη ἐκεῖ, kai ēulistē ekei):
  • Aulizo (αὐλίζομαι): Means "to pass the night," "to encamp," or "to take up lodging." It can imply staying overnight, whether in a dwelling or even in the open.
  • Significance: This highlights Jesus' humanity – His need for sleep and physical rest after days of intense ministry. It establishes His nightly routine during the final Passion Week, reinforcing His dual nature as fully God and fully man, enduring human fatigue. It suggests seeking a place of security and familiar hospitality.

• "And he left them, and went out of the city": This combined phrase emphasizes a purposeful disengagement. Jesus was not fleeing in fear but intentionally concluding His direct engagement with Jerusalem's corrupt authorities for the day. It highlights His autonomy and control over His own ministry schedule, even amidst rising opposition, signifying a tactical withdrawal to regroup and prepare.
• "into Bethany; and he lodged there": This phrase establishes Bethany as Jesus' chosen sanctuary and base of operations during this crucial week. It underscores the contrast between the turbulent, rejecting atmosphere of Jerusalem and the peaceful, accepting environment of Bethany, where Jesus could find rest, friendship, and recharge for the demanding days ahead.

Matthew 21 17 Bonus section

• The specific details of Jesus' daily pattern of leaving Jerusalem and lodging outside are consistent across the synoptic gospels, underscoring its historical reliability and significance in outlining the Passion Week. Mark 11:11 and Luke 21:37 particularly affirm this.
• While the "left them" here is a physical departure for the night, it can subtly resonate with the prophetic theme of God "leaving" His dwelling place due to the people's sin, though not in the full sense of irreversible judgment as seen in passages like Ezekiel. It represents a temporary removal of divine presence from a corrupted system.
• Bethany, besides being a literal village, holds symbolic significance as a place of true discipleship and welcome, a spiritual counterpoint to the hardened heart of Jerusalem. It contrasts "peace" (Jerusalem) with "affliction" (Bethany's possible etymology) where the true "Prince of Peace" found acceptance.
• Jesus accepting hospitality and lodging highlights His dependence on human kindness and the communal aspect of His ministry. It implies a deeper relationship with residents, most likely Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, reinforcing the picture of a personal, rather than just public, Savior.

Matthew 21 17 Commentary

Matthew 21:17 concisely depicts Jesus' nightly practice during the final week of His earthly ministry. Having exerted profound spiritual authority through cleansing the temple and responding to opposition, Jesus, in His full humanity, needed respite. He intentionally left the confrontational atmosphere of Jerusalem, choosing the peaceful village of Bethany as His refuge. This daily withdrawal was not a retreat in fear but a strategic regrouping and a display of His human need for rest. Bethany, a place of loyal friends and comfort, offered a sanctuary distinct from the religious hypocrisy and plotting in Jerusalem. This established routine allowed Jesus to minister powerfully in the temple by day while returning to a secure and supportive environment for spiritual and physical refreshment, symbolizing His separation from the unbelieving city yet His proximity for daily witness, all leading up to the events of His Passion.