Ver. 1. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:1”]
Ver. 2. Whereon never man sat] As if it had been done on set purpose. Here was a wheel within a wheel, Ezekiel 1:10, the better to convince the stubborn Jews of his kingly office.
Ver. 3. Say ye that the Lord hath need of him] See here six different arguments of our Saviour’s Deity: 1. That he knew there was such an ass colt. 2. That he sent for it. 3. Foresaw that the masters of the colt would question them that set it. 4. That he professeth himself the Lord of all. 5. That he could tell they would send the colt. 6. That accordingly they did so. (Piscater.)
Ver. 4. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:6”] [See Trapp on “Lu 19:32”]
Ver. 5. [See Trapp on “Lu 19:33”]
Ver. 6. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:6”] [See Trapp on “Lu 19:34”] [See Trapp on “Lu 19:35”]
Ver. 7. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:7”] [See Trapp on “Lu 19:35”]
Ver. 8. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:8”] [See Trapp on “Lu 19:36”]
Ver. 9. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:9”] [See Trapp on “Lu 19:35”]
Ver. 10. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:9”] [See Trapp on “Lu 19:37”] [See Trapp on “Lu 19:38”]
Ver. 11. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:12”]
Ver. 12. He was hungry] This, and that he knew not but that there were figs on the tree, declare him to be the true man.
Ver. 13. , The time of figs was not yet] viz. Of ripe figs; but if he could have found but green figs only, he would at that time have been glad of them. He looked for somewhat from that great show of leaves. But the old proverb became true, Great bruit, (noise) little fruit.
Ver. 14. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:19”]
Ver. 15. Began to cast out] As he had done before, John 2:15. [See Trapp on “Joh 2:15”] Hath not the Lord done the like also lately among us, casting out many church choppers, that have been money changers rather than ministers in the temple?
Ver. 16. And would not suffer] This is one of those things recorded by St Mark only.
Ver. 17. My house shall be called, &c.] He inveighs against the same fault with the same arguments as before, John 2:16,17.
Ver. 18. Astonished at his doctrine] While they hung upon his holy lips, Luke 19:48.
Ver. 19. He went out of the city] Having first cried, and said, “He that believeth on me,” &c., John 12:42, to the end of that chapter.
Ver. 20. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:20”] Learn to stand in fear of Christ’s curse: he can blow men to destruction, smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, Isaiah 11:4 Job 4:9.
Ver. 21. And Peter calling to remembrance] So the fig tree bare far better fruit now that it was dried, than when it was green and flourishing. Instruunt nos Patres, tum docentes, tum labentes; The saints teach us, as by their instructions, so by their infirmities. (Aug.)
Ver. 22. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:21”]
Ver. 23. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:21”]
Ver. 24. What things soever ye desire, &c.] To an effectual prayer two things are here required: 1. An earnest desire after the thing prayed for; “the desire of the righteous shall be satisfied,” Proverbs 10:24; but a cold suitor begs a denial. 2. A confident expectation of a gracious answer. He that prayeth and doubteth shutteth heaven’s gates against his own prayers, James 1:7. Believe that ye receive them] Even as soon as you ask, as the word λαμβαντετ signifies. See Daniel 9:20,21,24.
Ver. 25. And when ye stand, praying] Several gestures in prayer are described, not prescribed, in God’s book. The word στηκητε, here rendered stand, importeth a presenting one’s self before the Lord, whether he stand, sit, or kneel, &c.
Ver. 26. See Matthew 6:14. [See Trapp on “Mt 6:14”]
Ver. 27. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:23”]
Ver. 28. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:23”]
Ver. 29. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:24”]
Ver. 30. From heaven, or of men, answer me] So when the enemies of reformation demand what we mean by so doing, ask them what they think of that we do? Is it from heaven or of men? if from heaven, why do not they approve it? if of men, why do not they disprove it by the Scriptures? Bucer and Melancthon framed a form of reformation according to the truth of the gospel, with the approbation of the peers and states of Cullen; but the clergy, though not able to contradict it by good reason, yet rejected it with slander, and said that they had rather choose to live under the Turkish government than under a magistrate that embraced that reformation. (Melch. Ad. in Vita Bucer.)
Ver. 31. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:25”]
Ver. 32. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:26”]
Ver. 33. [See Trapp on “Mt 21:27”]