We continue in Matthew 22 where Jesus is approached by the Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection. They attempt to stump Jesus with a question about the resurrection.

Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem is challenged by the Jerusalem authorities. After his parables expose their hypocrisy, they come to him with questions to “test” him.

This is the third parable that Jesus tells describing the coming judgment and reversal of the kingdom of heaven.

This is the second of three parables that describe the coming judgment and fulfillment of the kingdom of heaven on earth through the work of Christ.

All legitimate authority comes from God.

In our text, Jesus seems to be acting out of character as he curses a fig tree, which bears no fruit. We need to understand this in context as Jesus gives us a living parable about the danger of hypocrisy.

We begin a new section in Matthew as Jesus enters Jerusalem. We will be combining two significant events as Matthew’s gospel places them together. We have the “Triumphal Entry” and the “Cleansing of the Temple.”

This is the end of the second section of Matthew’s gospel. The next section introduces Jesus’ passion and ministry in Jerusalem. Here we see what it means that Jesus is the “Son of David.”

As Jesus and the disciples approach Jerusalem, the disciples still have much to learn about the cross and what it means for us as disciples.

This week, we will be considering the parable of the “Laborers in the Vineyard” in Matthew 20:1-16.