Matthew 21 is the twenty-first chapter in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament section of the Christian Bible. Jesus triumphally or majestically arrives in Jerusalem and commences his final ministry before his Passion. Structure The narrative can be divided into the following subsections: Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (21:1–11) Cleansing of the Temple (21:12–17) Cursing the fig tree (21:18–22) Authority of Jesus questioned (21:23-27) Parable of the Two Sons (21:28-32) Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (21:33-46) Text The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 46 verses. Textual witnesses Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are: Papyrus 104 (~AD 250; extant verses 34-37, 43, 45) Codex Vaticanus (325-350) Codex Sinaiticus (330-360) Codex Bezae (c. 400) Codex Washingtonianus (c. 400) Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (c. 450) Codex Purpureus Rossanensis (6th century) Codex Petropolitanus Purpureus (6th century; extant verses 7-34) Codex Sinopensis (6th century; extant verses 1-18) Uncial 087 (6th century; extant verses 19-24) Old Testament references Verse 5: Isaiah 62:11, Zechariah 9:9 Verse 13: Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11 Verse 16: Psalm New Testament parallels Matthew 21:13: Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46 Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (21:1–11) The narrative takes some topics from previous chapters: the fulfillment of prophecies (cf. 1:22-3, etc.) Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (cf. 16:21; 20:17) his 'meekness' (cf. 11:29) his status as 'king' (cf. 2:1-12) 'Son of David' (cf. 1:1—18) 'the coming one' (cf. 3:11; 11:3), and 'prophet' (cf. 13:57) The "great multitude" (verse 8) had followed Jesus through the neighbouring city of Jericho in the previous chapter. The initial part of the narrative also offers two "firsts": (1) Jesus' (indirect) 'public claim to messianic kingship', and (2) the crowds' 'recognition of that kingship' (contrast 16:13–14). These two "firsts" challenge the people of Jerusalem to make a decision about "who is this Jesus" (cf. verse 10). Verse 2 "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me." Commentator Dale Allison is reminded of the finding of donkeys for King Saul recorded in . Verse 3 "If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” For Arthur Carr, this account "leads to the inference that the owner of the ass was an adherent of Jesus, who had perhaps not yet declared himself". To