Matthew 21:11 – “The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In response to the question “Who is this?” from the previous verse, the crowd identifies Jesus as “the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” While this answer shows they recognized Jesus as someone special, their understanding of who He truly was remained incomplete. Calling Him a prophet acknowledged His connection to God and His authority as a teacher and miracle-worker, but it fell short of recognizing Him as the Messiah and the Son of God.
This response reflects both the crowd’s enthusiasm for Jesus and their limited understanding of His mission. It demonstrates how people can know some truths about Jesus without fully grasping His identity and purpose.
Historical Context
The title “prophet” would have carried significant weight for the Jewish people. Prophets in Israel’s history were seen as messengers of God, chosen to speak His Word and guide His people. By calling Jesus a prophet, the crowd acknowledged His divine authority, but many likely saw Him as another in the line of prophets like Elijah or Moses, rather than the promised Messiah.
Nazareth, a small and relatively insignificant town in Galilee, added to the crowd’s perception of Jesus. Galilee was often looked down upon by those in Jerusalem, which might explain why Jesus’ association with Nazareth made some question His legitimacy as the Messiah (John 1:46). Yet, this detail fulfills prophecies about the Messiah’s humble origins (Isaiah 9:1-2).
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the tension between partial recognition of Jesus and the fullness of His identity. While the crowd identified Him as a prophet, they failed to see Him as the Son of God and Savior of the world. This reminds us that knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Him personally and understanding His mission.
It also points to the importance of revelation. True understanding of Jesus’ identity comes not just from human observation but from God’s Spirit opening hearts and minds to the truth.
Literary Analysis
Matthew 21:11 serves as the conclusion to the question posed in verse 10. The structure creates a dialogue between the city’s question (“Who is this?”) and the crowd’s answer. The mention of Nazareth emphasizes Jesus’ humble beginnings, contrasting with the grandeur of the crowd’s praise during His entry. This contrast sets up the unfolding events of Holy Week, where misunderstandings about Jesus’ identity will lead to His rejection and crucifixion.
The crowd’s words also reflect a broader theme in Matthew’s Gospel: the tension between Jesus’ role as the fulfillment of prophecy and the people’s inability to fully grasp what that means.
Biblical Cross-References
- Deuteronomy 18:15: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”
This prophecy points to the expectation of a prophet like Moses, fulfilled in Jesus. - John 1:46: “‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,’ said Philip.”
This verse highlights the skepticism about Jesus’ origins. - Isaiah 9:1-2: “But in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—the people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”
This prophecy speaks of the Messiah’s connection to Galilee.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Matthew 21:11 challenges us to go beyond a superficial understanding of Jesus. It’s not enough to admire Him as a great teacher or prophet; we must recognize Him as the Savior and Lord of our lives. This verse also reminds us of the importance of sharing the full truth about Jesus with others who may only have a partial understanding of who He is.
The mention of Nazareth encourages us to embrace humility and trust that God can work through the ordinary and unexpected, just as He did with Jesus’ humble origins.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse shows God’s love in revealing Himself through Jesus, even in ways that people might initially misunderstand. God’s plan of salvation includes meeting people where they are and patiently guiding them toward the truth. The crowd’s limited understanding of Jesus doesn’t change God’s willingness to fulfill His plan of redemption through His Son.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Matthew 21:11 ties Jesus to the prophetic tradition, fulfilling expectations of a prophet like Moses. However, it also highlights that Jesus is more than a prophet—He is the Messiah and the Son of God. His identification with Nazareth fulfills prophecies about the Messiah’s humble origins and reminds us that God’s power often works through what the world considers insignificant.
This moment sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the full scope of His mission through His teachings, actions, and ultimately His death and resurrection.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does this verse challenge you to go deeper in your understanding of who Jesus is?
- In what ways do people today misunderstand Jesus’ identity, and how can you help share the truth?
- What does the mention of Nazareth teach us about God’s use of humble beginnings?
- How can we move from simply knowing about Jesus to truly knowing Him as our Savior?
- How does this verse inspire you to reflect on your own response to the question, “Who is this?”
Matthew 21:11 invites us to reflect on our understanding of Jesus and to recognize Him not just as a prophet or teacher but as the Messiah who brings salvation to the world. It encourages us to deepen our faith and share the full truth of His identity with others.