But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Their indignation wasn't just about Jesus being honored; it was that children, not they, were leading the praise, highlighting Jesus' power and their own irrelevance. This reveals their deep-seated pride and jealousy, unable to tolerate even innocent voices proclaiming the truth they refused to acknowledge.
But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just entered Jerusalem, causing a stir throughout the city, and has dramatically cleansed the temple of its commercial activity, healing the sick in the process. Now, as children in the temple echo the crowds' praise by calling Jesus the "Son of David," the religious authorities are furious. Their indignation stems from Jesus' actions, his growing popularity, and their own perceived loss of authority and jealousy over his power.
Why did the religious leaders get so angry when children praised Jesus? It wasn't just about the noise; it was about who was getting the credit.
The chief priests and scribes were 'indignant' because Jesus was receiving the honor they felt was theirs to control. They saw His 'wonderful things' – the temple cleansing and His miracles – not as divine acts, but as challenges to their authority. Their position as religious leaders meant they should have been the ones to purify the temple and lead people to God. Instead, they were complicit in its corruption.
Jesus, however, saw things differently. He welcomed the children's praise, even quoting Scripture (Psalm 8:2) to show that God can use anyone, even the smallest, to declare His glory. The leaders’ envy blinded them to the spiritual reality, while the children’s simple faith recognized Jesus for who He was – the Son of David, the Messiah.
Jesus had just cleansed the temple, but the leaders' anger at His growing popularity showed a deeper problem: they had lost sight of God's house.
The 'wonderful things' Jesus did included His dramatic act of cleansing the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). He drove out the money-changers and sellers, declaring, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer.' This act was a direct confrontation with the religious establishment.
The chief priests and scribes, described as a wealthy, aristocratic body (often Sadducees), were 'indignant' not only at the children’s praise but at the implication of Jesus’ actions. They profited from the very practices Jesus condemned, turning the temple into a 'den of robbers' (Matthew 21:13) for personal gain. Their anger stemmed from Jesus exposing their corruption and challenging their control over God’s dwelling place.
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Understand the original words
archiereus · Greek Noun
The high-ranking leaders of the priesthood, responsible for temple administration and theological oversight, often in conflict with Jesus' authority.
grammateus · Greek Noun
Experts in the Law of Moses who were responsible for interpreting and teaching the Scriptures to the people.
hōsanna · Greek Interjection
An exclamation of praise or a prayer for salvation, literally meaning "Save now," used to acknowledge the messianic identity of Jesus.
huios Dauid · Greek Noun phrase
A messianic title identifying Jesus as the promised descendant of King David, who would establish an eternal throne and fulfill God's covenant promises.
aganakteō · Greek Verb
A feeling of deep displeasure, resentment, or anger, often arising from a sense of injustice or offense against one's own perceived authority or righteousness.
The religious leaders' indignation reveals their deep-seated opposition to Jesus, stemming not just from his actions but from his growing popularity and the challenge he posed to their authority and the established religious order.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering followers, but also attracting the opposition of religious authorities.
The week before Passover, c. AD 30-33
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Jesus enters the Jerusalem temple and drives out merchants and money changers, disrupting their commerce and asserting his authority.
The day after cleansing the temple— this verse
Jesus' Triumphal Entry and Temple Ministry
Jesus enters Jerusalem as a king, celebrated by a crowd. He returns to the temple, where he teaches and performs miracles, including healing the blind and lame.
Later that day
Chief Priests and Scribes React
Religious leaders observe Jesus' miracles and the children's acclamations of 'Hosanna to the Son of David' in the temple, causing them anger and indignation.
Following days
Religious Leaders Plot Against Jesus
The chief priests and scribes, angered by Jesus' actions and popularity, actively seek a way to arrest and condemn him.
This passage is directly quoted by Jesus in response to the indignation of the chief priests and scribes, highlighting that praise to God can and should come from the mouths of the very young.
Luke 19:39-40This parallel account shows the religious leaders’ similar objection to the disciples’ praise, and Jesus’ affirmation that even inanimate creation would cry out if His followers were silenced.
Isaiah 56:7Jesus references this prophecy about His house being a house of prayer for all nations when confronting the temple merchants, contrasting it with the leaders’ corrupted priorities that also fueled their anger towards His ministry.
Jeremiah 7:11Jesus also echoes this prophet’s condemnation of the temple being turned into a den of robbers, a corruption the religious leaders upheld and which fueled their rage against Jesus’ cleansing action and subsequent validation by children.
clarkeMatthew 21:15: "And 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,"
The chief priests - were sore displeased - Or, were incensed. Incensed at what! At the purification of the profaned temple! This was a work they should have done themselves, but for which they had neither grace nor influence; and their pride and jealousy will not suffer them to permit others to do…
barnesMatthew 21:15: "And 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,"
When the chief priests ... - The chief men of the nation were envious of his popularity. They could not prevent it; but, being determined to find fault, they took occasion to do so from the shouts of the children. People often are offended that "children" have anything to do with religion, and dee…
Their indignation wasn't just about Jesus being honored; it was that children, not they, were leading the praise, highlighting Jesus' power and their own irrelevance. This reveals their deep-seated pride and jealousy, unable to tolerate even innocent voices proclaiming the truth they refused to acknowledge.
Jesus has just entered Jerusalem, causing a stir throughout the city, and has dramatically cleansed the temple of its commercial activity, healing the sick in the process. Now, as children in the temple echo the crowds' praise by calling Jesus the "Son of David," the religious authorities are furious. Their indignation stems from Jesus' actions, his growing popularity, and their own perceived loss of authority and jealousy over his power.
Jesus has just entered Jerusalem, causing a stir throughout the city, and has dramatically cleansed the temple of its commercial activity, healing the sick in the process. Now, as children in the temple echo the crowds' praise by calling Jesus the "Son of David," the religious authorities are furious. Their indignation stems from Jesus' actions, his growing popularity, and their own perceived loss of authority and jealousy over his power.
"But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant," — Their indignation wasn't just about Jesus being honored; it was that children, not they, were leading the praise, highlighting Jesus' power and their own irrelevance. This reveals their deep-seated…
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Last reviewed October 2026