Exploring the Connection Between Matthew 21, the Book of Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah 21
Exploring the Connection Between Matthew 21, the Book of Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah 21
For Bible in Ten – By DH – 9th August 2026
Matthew 21 presents Jesus Christ as the rightful King, the rejected Son, and the only secure foundation for man.
Ecclesiastes gives a remarkable companion to this chapter because it begins with another “son of David, king in Jerusalem.” That king searched through wisdom, pleasure, wealth, achievement, labour, and human experience, yet repeatedly concluded:
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
Matthew 21 presents the greater Son of David entering the same city.
Solomon could describe the problem of life under the sun, but he could not remove it. He saw that wisdom could not defeat death, wealth could not endure, pleasure could not satisfy permanently, and human labour could not produce lasting gain.
Jesus came not merely to describe the problem, but to solve it.
Solomon observed the curse.
Christ came to bear it.
Solomon saw that all men die.
Christ came to lay down His life and take it again.
Solomon searched for lasting meaning.
Christ is the One in whom lasting meaning is found.
2 What Profit Is There?Ecclesiastes repeatedly asks what lasting profit man receives from all his labour.
Matthew 21 applies that question powerfully to religion.
The temple was full of activity: sacrifices, money changing, worship, teaching, and ceremony. Yet when the One to whom the entire system pointed entered the temple, its leaders rejected Him.
What profit is there in maintaining the shadow while rejecting the substance?
The temple could demonstrate the need for cleansing, but it could not finally cleanse man from sin.
The sacrifices pointed toward atonement, but they could not complete it.
Jesus is the reality toward which they pointed.
Religion without Christ becomes another form of vanity.
3 Empty Words Before GodEcclesiastes warns:
“Draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools.”
It also warns against careless words and vows before God.
That connects directly with Jesus’ parable of the two sons.
One said he would obey, but did not.
The other initially refused, but later repented and obeyed.
The religious leaders possessed the language of obedience, yet they rejected Christ. Tax collectors and harlots had openly lived in disobedience, yet when they believed, they entered the kingdom before them.
Profession without faith is empty.
Words without obedience are vanity.
The true question is whether a person receives the Son.
4 A Time to Plant and a Time to UprootEcclesiastes says:
“A time to plant,
and a time to pluck what is planted.”
This provides a fitting background to the fig tree and vineyard of Matthew 21.
God had planted Israel and entrusted them with covenant privilege. But stewardship was intended to produce fruit.
The fig tree had leaves, but no fruit.
The vinedressers wanted the vineyard, but rejected the owner’s servants and finally his son.
They treated stewardship as ownership.
Matthew 21 therefore marks an appointed time of accountability.
There had been a time to plant.
Now there was a time for fruit to be examined.
The leaders could not make their stewardship permanent simply because they wished to retain it.
What God appoints, He also has authority to remove.
5 What God Does EnduresOne of the strongest connections with Ecclesiastes is this:
“Whatever God does,
it shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
and nothing taken from it.”
This points beautifully toward the sufficiency of Christ.
The religious system had accumulated ceremonies, traditions, authority, and outward forms, but salvation would not come through adding more.
God’s work in Christ would be complete.
Jesus is the fulfilment of the law.
He is the true Sacrifice.
He is the rejected Stone who becomes the chief cornerstone.
Nothing can be added to His work.
Nothing can improve it.
Nothing needs to complete it.
Human works pass away.
God’s work in Christ endures forever.
6 Isaiah 21 — Human Glory FallsIsaiah 21 adds a solemn supporting witness:
“Babylon is fallen, is fallen.”
Babylon appeared powerful and secure, yet its strength, wealth, and idols could not prevent the judgment appointed by God.
Ecclesiastes teaches that earthly greatness is temporary.
Isaiah 21 demonstrates it.
Matthew 21 applies the same warning to religious privilege.
The leaders of Jerusalem trusted in their position, their temple, and their authority.
But no system is secure when it rejects the Son.
Isaiah 21 also asks:
“Watchman, what of the night?”
The answer comes:
“The morning comes, and also the night.”
The morning had come to Jerusalem because the King had arrived.
But for those who rejected Him, night was also approaching.
And finally, section 7 — The Pattern of the Number Twenty-OneThere is a beautiful pattern surrounding the number 21.
- W. Bullinger notes that twenty-one is three times seven, presenting the thought of Divine completion in relation to spiritual perfection.
This gives an interesting framework to these three passages.
Ecclesiastes is book 21. It demonstrates that man cannot attain lasting completeness through anything “under the sun.”
Isaiah 21 shows that even the greatest human power cannot make itself permanent: Babylon falls at the appointed word of God.
Then Matthew 21 presents the answer in a Person.
What man cannot attain, and what human power cannot preserve, God provides in Christ.
Ecclesiastes asks: What truly lasts?
Isaiah 21 answers: not the glory of man.
Matthew 21 answers: Jesus Christ.
Thus the pattern of twenty-one does not glorify human perfection. It directs us instead to the perfection and permanence of what God has accomplished in His Son.
Man searches.
Man builds.
Both come to an end.
But God sends His Son.
And in Him is the enduring answer.
Life ApplicationEcclesiastes warns us not to seek permanence in temporary things. Isaiah 21 reminds us that even the greatest human powers eventually fall.
Matthew 21 directs us instead to Christ.
Religion, wisdom, wealth, achievement, and position cannot reconcile us to God. Jesus alone can.
Therefore, our confidence must rest not in what man can build, achieve, or preserve, but in what God has accomplished through His Son.
Christ alone is the secure and eternal foundation.
Prayer
Lord God, thank You for showing us the emptiness of trusting in things that cannot endure.
Thank You for sending Jesus Christ, the greater Son of David, the true King, and the everlasting cornerstone.
Keep us from empty religion and misplaced confidence. May our faith rest entirely in Christ and in the work You have completed through Him.
To You be all glory forever.
Amen.
