High Priest – What Does This Mean?

Encore Post:

From Monday to Wednesday of Holy Week, Jesus taught in the temple. His opponents challenged him several times. He told parables against them and warned people about them. First, the priests asked by what authority he did the things he did. Jesus countered by asking them whether John the Baptist was from God. Because they would not answer, he would not either. (Matthew 21:23-27)

Jesus’ three parables were his last attempt to call his opponents to repentance. They were the Parable of the Two Sons, the Parable of the Wicked Vineyard Tenants, and the Parable of the King’s Wedding Feast. The point of all three was that his opponents pretended to serve God but were really disobedient. (Matthew 21:28-22:14)

His opponents responded with several test questions: Should we pay taxes to Caesar? Who will be the husband of a woman in the resurrection who was married to seven brothers without having a child? His answers were so profound that they did not follow up. (Matthew 22:15-40)

These questions were not meant to learn from Jesus. His opponents hoped to trap Him into saying something that would discredit Him with either the people or the Romans. If He opposed paying taxes to Caesar, they could accuse Him of rebellion. If He denied the resurrection, He would anger many of the people. If He chose one commandment over another, they could accuse Him of false teaching. Instead, every answer showed such wisdom that His opponents could only admire Him or remain silent.

He then asked them, “If Christ is David’s son, why does David call Christ Lord?” They did not answer.

Most of what Jesus taught that week, however, was about His second coming and eternity. While His enemies plotted His death, Jesus prepared His disciples for the future. He taught them to watch, to remain faithful, and to live in hope as they waited for His return in glory. In this way, he prepared them for his approaching death.

One evening that week in Bethany, Jesus’ friend Mary anointed him with expensive perfume for his coming burial. While many still dreamed of a conquering Messiah, Mary seems to have understood that Jesus was preparing to die.

Originally posted at What does this Mean? Blog: https://whatdoesthismean.blog

The posts in the blog What does this Mean? are now available at What does this Mean? | Rev. Robert E. Smith | Substack

Rev. Robert E. Smith
Pastor Emeritus
Fort Wayne, Indiana

©2018-2026 Robert E. Smith. All rights reserved. Permission granted to copy, share, and display freely for non-commercial purposes. Direct all other rights and permissions inquiries to cosmithb@msn.com

Encore Post: When Jesus entered Jerusalem, it was through a gate that opened into the temple. In the Court of the Gentiles, he saw many businessmen in booths they set up to sell goods to the pilgrims arriving for Passover. In Jesus’ day, the High Priestly family allowed businessmen to sell sacrificial animals there, just outside the temple proper. They would, of course, do this for very high prices and pay the High Priestly family for the privilege.

Another business, money changing, also went on in this area. Roman money bore images of the Emperor and pagan gods. These could not be carried into the temple, the High Priests ruled, since they broke the first commandment. Naturally, these moneychangers would charge a fee to change money into temple money.

When Jesus arrived, he saw this going on. He saw it for what it was — stealing from God’s people as they came to worship. He drove these people out of the temple with a whip made of cords. This made a deep impression on the people — and stiffened the resolve of the priests to see him killed.

After he did this, Jesus and his disciples returned to Bethany, likely to spend the night with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

Rev. Robert E. Smith

Concordia Theological Seminary

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Tag: High Priest

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