“Matthew 21–23; Mark 11; Luke 19–20; John 12,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)
Matthew 21–23; Mark 11; Luke 19–20; John 12
Jesus Christ rode triumphantly into Jerusalem as the crowd shouted, “Hosanna.” He cleansed the temple. Jewish leaders challenged Jesus’s authority. The Savior taught about marriage, His Resurrection, and the two great commandments. He rebuked the Jewish leaders for their hypocrisy.
Additional Resources
Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Matthew 21–23; Mark 11; Luke 19–20; John 12”
Note: The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.
Encouraging Personal Study
Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:
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Have you ever struggled to express your love and devotion for the Savior? Consider watching “The Lord’s Triumphal Entrance into Jerusalem” (1:22) and then reading Matthew 21:1–11, 15–16 to see how these people expressed their devotion.
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As you study Luke 19:1–10, consider what Zacchaeus does to show his sincere desire to receive the Savior. You might also ponder what you have done recently to show your desire to have the Savior in your life.
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As you study the Savior’s rebuke of hypocrisy in Matthew 23, think about how you can avoid hypocrisy in your life.
Questions and Sharing
Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Matthew 21–23; Mark 11; Luke 19–20; John 12.
Skill Training
Matthew 22:36–40 might be a helpful place to use the skill “Sharing Gospel Truths with Love and Sensitivity” in Scripture Study Skills.
Learning Activity Options
Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class.
Matthew 21:1–11, 15–16; John 12:1–8
How can I express my devotion to the Savior?
You could begin by writing on the board the word devotion. Explain that this word means love for, trust in, and loyalty and faithfulness to a person or cause. Invite students to share what people are devoted to in our day.
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What do you think a person’s life looks like when he or she is devoted to Jesus Christ?
Consider displaying the images below. Explain that prior to His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus Christ stopped in Bethany, where Mary anointed His feet. These events can provide us with important insights about how to show devotion to the Savior both privately and publicly.
Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, by Harry Anderson
Illustration by Brian Call
Display the following learning activity options. Invite students to work with a partner or in small groups and select one of the options below.
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Option 1: Read John 12:1–8, and discuss what Mary’s actions can teach us about devotion. You could also study “John 12:1–8. What was significant about Mary anointing Jesus Christ?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.
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Option 2: Read Matthew 21:1–11, and discuss what this event can teach us about showing devotion to the Savior. You could also study “Matthew 21:1–11. What was significant about the Savior’s triumphal entry?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.
After giving students sufficient time to complete their chosen activity, invite them to share what they learned about devotion to the Savior. As students share their insights, consider if any of the following questions can help deepen their understanding:
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In this account, what do the people’s words and actions reveal about their feelings for the Savior? (Students may identify a truth like the following: We can show our love and devotion to Jesus Christ through our words and actions.)
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What are some words and actions that can show our love and devotion to the Savior?
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How have you felt when you have expressed love and devotion to the Savior?
Consider giving students time to think of one thing they could do to express greater devotion to the Savior both publicly and privately.
How can I better live the two great commandments?
Consider discussing the challenges presented in the following scenario:
Maria is the only member of the Church in her family. When she goes to Sunday meetings, she often misses family activities. One day, Maria’s sister says to her, “What’s more important to you—your church or our family?”
After discussing the scenario with students, invite them to read Matthew 22:34–40, looking for truths the Savior taught that might help Maria. Consider asking one or more of the following questions:
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What truths did the Savior teach? Why are they important? (Students might state something similar to the following: The first and great commandment is to love God and the second is to love our neighbor.) How could these truths be applied to Maria’s situation?
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Why do you think of all the commandments in the scriptures, the Savior might have called these two the greatest?
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What might happen if we prioritize the second commandment over the first commandment?
You could divide students into small groups and provide them with the handout “Loving God and Others.” Point out that this discussion may introduce some sensitive topics. If needed, you could review the skill “Sharing Gospel Truths with Love and Sensitivity” in Scripture Study Skills.
Consider giving students time to share what they learned from their group discussions and to ask additional questions. Invite students to ponder what they can do to better love God and their neighbor.
How can I avoid hypocrisy?
Consider sharing the following experience:
Damon is trying to overcome his addiction to pornography. After experiencing some setbacks, he feels discouraged and says to his priesthood leader: “Maybe I should just stop coming to church. I’m sick of being a hypocrite.” (see Bradley R. Wilcox, “Worthiness Is Not Flawlessness,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 62)
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What do you think of Damon’s self-assessment?
Explain that in Matthew 23, Jesus Christ spoke boldly about the spiritual consequences of hypocrisy (see “Matthew 23:13–33. What is a hypocrite?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament). Invite students to form small groups, and provide them with the handout “The Savior Warns about Hypocrisy” so they can deepen their understanding of what the Savior taught.
You could invite each group to write on the board at least one truth or insight they discovered. Some truths or insights could include the following: Hypocrisy is not practicing what we teach. Hypocrisy is using religious symbols to appear better than others. Hypocrisy is focusing on lesser things to avoid doing the more important things. Hypocrisy is pretending to be more righteous than we are. Hypocrisy is ignoring the true condition of our souls.
Give students time to reflect on which truth is most relevant to their lives and to consider how they could apply it. Invite students to consider how the Savior’s example can help them avoid hypocrisy.
Invite students to review the scenario from the beginning of the activity and to discuss if Damon was correct in his self-assessment. You could share the following statement by Brother Bradley R. Wilcox:
You’re not a hypocrite because you have a bad habit you are trying to break. You are a hypocrite if you hide it, lie about it, or try to convince yourself the Church has the problem for maintaining such high standards. Being honest about your actions and taking steps to move forward is not being a hypocrite. It is being a disciple. (“Worthiness Is Not Flawlessness,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 62)
Does the Savior know me?
Improving Our Teaching and Learning
Create a safe environment for all. Most of us have times when we feel judged, unloved, or unneeded. When we feel this way, attending institute can be difficult. Consider what you can do to help those who may feel this way to instead feel welcome, included, safe, and loved. Demonstrate in word and action what it means to show Christlike love for all of God’s children.
You could begin by displaying the following statement by Sister Carol F. McConkie, former First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency. Briefly discuss when you or someone you know has felt judged or unwelcome at church, school, work, or in the community:
I know people who come to church every Sunday so that they can be inspired and uplifted and who just simply walk away feeling judged and unloved, unneeded, like there is no place for them at church. (“Lifting Others” [video], Gospel Library)
Point out that in the New Testament, publicans like Zacchaeus were looked down on. (To learn more about publicans, you could have students review “Luke 5:27–30. Why were publicans despised by the Jews?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)
Invite students to read Luke 19:1–10, looking for how Jesus treated Zacchaeus. To deepen students’ understanding, consider asking questions like the following:
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What can we learn from the Savior’s words and actions about how to treat those who feel despised, unloved, or judged?
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When have you seen someone treat someone else with Christlike love? How did you feel about what you saw?
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What can we learn from Zacchaeus about what to do when we don’t feel loved or accepted by others? (Help students understand that, regardless of our social situation, if we seek the Savior, we will discover that He knows us.)
You could read and discuss the following statement from Sister Sharon Eubank, former First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency:
For various reasons, we [might not] feel accepted or acceptable. The New Testament shows the great efforts Jesus made to reach out to all kinds of people. … In almost every story, He is reaching someone who wasn’t traditionally accepted in society. …
… Jesus extends the same kind of invitation to us that He did to Zacchaeus: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if [you] hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to [you], and will sup with [you], and [you] with me” [Revelation 3:20]. Christ sees us in our tree. (“Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 74)
Consider giving students time to think of someone they know who may not feel accepted. Invite students to think of what they can do to help this person realize that the Savior sees and knows him or her. Or if students don’t feel accepted by others, they could think about what they can do to recognize that the Savior sees and knows them.