Bible Strands
Matthew 21:15
But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chief priests and scribes observe Jesus healing the blind and lame in the temple courts while children shout “Hosanna to the Son of David!” They react to this scene immediately after the healings and before Jesus addresses them in the following verse.
The words — ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis) = chief priests and γραμμαεῖς (grammateis) = scribes.
The thread — The crowd’s “Hosanna to the Son of David!” cry echoes Matthew 21:9, while the religious leaders’ objection parallels the Pharisees’ demand in Luke 19:39. Isaiah 26:11 is cited elsewhere as a cross-reference for divine judgment, not for the theme of children’s praise.
Why it lands — The text records a factual reaction of indignation from the religious authorities before Jesus answers in Matthew 21:16. The passage demands recognition that institutional leaders can witness miraculous acts and vocal worship yet still respond with hostility rather than faith.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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,
Cross-references
- Matthew 21:9 The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
- Luke 19:39 But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!”
- Isaiah 26:11 O LORD, Your hand is upraised, but they do not see it. They will see Your zeal for Your people and be put to shame. The fire set for Your enemies will consume them!
- Matthew 9:27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
- Matthew 21:23 When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?”
- Matthew 22:42 “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” “David’s,” they answered.
- Matthew 26:3 At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
- Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.
- Matthew 27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.
- Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.