14 “And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 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, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” 17 And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.” (Matthew 21:14–17 (ESV)
Immediately following Jesus cleansing the temple, the blind and the lame came to Him while He was in the temple court. This would refer to the area known as the Court of the Gentiles. Jesus healed these people of their maladies. It was a joyous moment. Children began crying out in the temple the same words the people said while Jesus entered Jerusalem; “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“What a scene! While some people are expelled, others are welcomed. Jesus has not changed any. He is still the Good Shepherd. So, when the blind and the lame come to him right here, in the temple, his eyes, a moment ago flashing with the fire of holy indignation, fill with tender compassion. He did not say, “Come back some other time. I am not now in the mood for healing you.” On the contrary, the Great Physician is standing there in the midst of overturned tables, scattered coins, and knocked down benches, manifesting his healing power and marvelous compassion to those in need. None of those who came to him went away disappointed,” comments Dr. William Hendriksen.
Contrasting the joy of the healed and the praise of the children, were the indignant chief priests and scribes. To be indignant (ἠγανάκτησαν; eganaktesan) means to be angry. The religious leaders were passionately and actively incensed at the wonderful things happening in the temple. This was in stark contrast to their own graft and greed in the same location (Matt. 21:12-13).
They said to Jesus, ““Do you hear what these are saying?” You can sense the tone of their indignant words to the Lord. The religious leaders angrily condemn the compassion of the Lord and the praise of the children. They don’t want the infirm in the temple. They don’t want children in the temple. Finally, they don’t want Jesus in the temple. They embody the words of Isaiah the prophet: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20 ESV)
And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” 17 And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.” The Lord quoted from Psalm 8:2 in showing how the presumed weakness of children silenced the presumed strength of the religious leaders.
“What irked them at this particular moment was the following combination of facts: a. the cleansing of the temple; b. the miracles performed on the blind and the lame; and last but not least, c. the shouting of the children, repeating yesterday’s joyful outburst by their parents, etc., “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Was not this blasphemy? And that right here in the temple! That they, these very enemies of Jesus, were themselves guilty of blasphemy because of the desecration of the temple which they had allowed and to some extent even encouraged, and because of the murderous design in their hearts against him, they did not acknowledge. But these children must be stopped! What they are doing is terrible, and even more reprehensible is the fact that Jesus is allowing this to continue,” explains Dr. Hendriksen.
Following this exchange, Jesus left the temple and went to the city of Bethany. This was a small village 1.5 miles east of Jerusalem. It was here where Jesus stayed.
Matthew Henry writes, “Proud men cannot bear that honor should be done to any but to themselves, and are uneasy at nothing more than at the just praises of deserving men.”
Soli deo Gloria!
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