New Testament
Matthew 21:15
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But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things he was doing, and heard children shouting in the temple, 'Hosanna to the son of David!' they were very displeased.
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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,
What Matthew 21:15 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the chief priests and scribes, who were religious leaders, witnessed the miraculous acts of Jesus and heard children joyfully praising Him in the temple. The phrase 'Hosanna to the son of David' indicates that the children recognized Jesus as a significant figure, possibly the Messiah. However, instead of celebrating this moment, the religious leaders were very displeased. Their reaction highlights their jealousy and fear of losing authority, as they were threatened by Jesus' popularity and the implications of His actions. This moment illustrates a clash between the joy of the innocent and the rigidness of established religious authority. The children's praise signifies a pure and genuine recognition of Jesus, contrasting sharply with the leaders' negative response, which stems from their inability to accept the new direction Jesus was bringing to faith and worship.
How to apply Matthew 21:15 to your life
This verse encourages us to embrace the joy and innocence of faith, as exemplified by the children. It reminds us to be wary of allowing jealousy or rigid traditions to cloud our appreciation of genuine worship and the work of God in our lives.
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Clearing the Temple (Matthew 21:12–17)
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Jesus
Photo: Gary Todd (Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.), via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Source. Location: Southern end of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem Old City. Resized for the web.
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David's capital, the city of the temple, and the place where Jesus died and rose again.
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Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 21:15 mean?
Matthew 21:15 describes the reaction of the chief priests and scribes to Jesus' miracles and the children's praise in the temple. Their displeasure highlights their jealousy and fear of losing authority as Jesus gained popularity.
What is the significance of 'Hosanna to the son of David' in Matthew 21:15?
The phrase 'Hosanna to the son of David' signifies the children's recognition of Jesus as a significant figure, possibly the Messiah. It reflects their innocent faith and joy in acknowledging His importance.
Why were the chief priests and scribes displeased in Matthew 21:15?
The chief priests and scribes were displeased because they felt threatened by Jesus' popularity and the implications of His miracles. Their reaction reveals their jealousy and unwillingness to accept the changes He represented.
What does this verse reveal about the conflict between Jesus and religious leaders?
This verse illustrates a conflict between the joy of innocent faith, represented by the children, and the rigid authority of the religious leaders. It shows how the leaders' jealousy and fear of losing control led to their negative response.
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