Matthew 21:17

What does Matthew 21:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 21:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 21:17 means

After His confrontations and actions in the Temple, Jesus departed from Jerusalem and went to Bethany for the night. This action reveals a practical aspect of Jesus' ministry, seeking rest outside the bustling, often hostile, city. Bethany, located on the Mount of Olives, was a familiar place of refuge with friends, providing a temporary respite from the intense and escalating opposition in Jerusalem.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he left them, and went forth out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he left them, and went forth out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he went away from them, and went out of the town to Bethany, and was there for the night.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having left them, he went forth out of the city to Bethany, and did lodge there,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And leaving them, he went out of the city into Bethania and remained here.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And leaving them he went forth out of the city to Bethany, and there he passed the night.

Context

This verse concludes Jesus' activities in Jerusalem for the day, following His confrontation with the chief priests and scribes. It marks a brief interlude before Jesus returns to the city the next morning, setting the scene for the encounter with the fig tree. This departure highlights the daily rhythm of Jesus' ministry during Passion Week and His strategic movements.

v.16and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

v.17This passage

v.18Now in the morning as he returned to the city, he hungered.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 8:37

    And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes round about asked him to depart from them; for they were holden with great fear: and he entered into a boat, and returned.

  • Luke 19:29

    And it came to pass, when he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples,

  • Matthew 16:4

    An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of Jonah. And he left them, and departed.

  • John 11:18

    Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off;

  • Mark 11:19

    And every evening he went forth out of the city.

  • Jeremiah 6:8

    Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from thee; lest I make thee a desolation, a land not inhabited.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 21

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 21.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 21:17.