I N D E X
10
the first time we read of the `mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens', which speak of bad ground, birds of the
air, tares sown by an enemy, corrupting leaven, a treasure found and hidden again, and a harvest `at the end of
the age'.
In chapter 21 the Lord makes His public entry into Jerusalem. He will bring before the people yet once
again the fact that in Himself the prophecies of the King and kingdom found their fulfilment. He rides into
Jerusalem, fulfilling the words of Zechariah, `Behold, THY KING COMETH' (21:5). The multitudes (ochloi)
cried:
`Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest'
(21:9).
Luke 19:38 renders the cry:
`Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest'.
Mark 11:9,10 reads:
`Hosanna; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed is the kingdom of our father David,
that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest'.
A crowd never says exactly the same words throughout a period of acclamation, and each Gospel gives a
faithful report of the varied utterances, while all assert the one great fact that here, in the person of the Son of
David, was the promised King and kingdom. Once more the leaders of the people are displeased:
`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' (Matt. 21:15).
Once again it is evident that the public recognition of Christ as the son of David threatened their own
position and authority.
The last occurrence of the words `Son of David' coincides with the last question addressed to the Lord by
His enemies:
`While the Pharisees were gathered together (after having endeavoured in vain to entangle Him by their
questions), Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is He? They say unto Him, The
Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto
my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord,
how is He his Son? And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth
ask Him any more questions' (22:41-46).
Immediately following this passage comes the terrible denunciation of woe against the leaders of the people
who sit in Moses' seat and bind heavy burdens upon their backs, which is concluded by the lament over
Jerusalem and the solemn allusion to the Hosanna of 21:9 :
`Ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord'
(23:39).
Israel, now blind, shall yet see Him. He shall yet `sit upon the throne of His glory' (25:31). His title, Son of
David, carries this pledge with it, and His title as David's Lord ensures that this pledge will be fulfilled.
We drew attention to the picture of Israel's blindness in the blind men who cried to the Saviour for mercy,
and the reader, with 22:42 in mind, will appreciate the prophetic hint in the added title `Lord' in the confession
of the second pair of blind men who cried for mercy to the Son of David.
The nine occurrences of the title `Son of David' form a group of seven items as follow:
A 1:1.
Jesus Christ, the Son of David (cf 1:23).
B a 9:27. Two blind men. Israel.
b 12:23. The people's confession. The leaders' opposition
C 15:22. Gentile misuse of the title.
B a 20:30,31. Two blind men. Israel.
b 21:9,15. The people's confession. The leaders' opposition