Jesus' Triumphant Entry

¹ As Jesus and His disciples approached Jerusalem . . . ⁸ Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of Him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹ Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting, “Praise God! Blessings on the One who comes in the Name of the Lord! ¹⁰ Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!” Mark 11:1, 8-10 (NLT)

The Passion story opens with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19). The Passion story gives the story of Jesus’ final days on earth beginning with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and provides the storyline of Jesus’ arrest, suffering, death, and miraculous resurrection.

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem was Palm Sunday, and the great Passover festival was about to begin (John 12:12). Thousands of devout Jews from all over the world arrived in the Holy City of Jerusalem during the weeklong Passover celebration. The Passover celebrated the Jewish people’s great exodus from Egyptian slavery by God’s mighty hand. The Jew’s hearts were filled with excitement and enthusiasm. Jerusalem was crowded at Passover. During Passover and to a less degree to Pentecost 50 days later, the population of Jerusalem mushroomed from approximately 20,000 to over 100,000.

Although Jerusalem at Passover was the delight of the Jewish people, many Romans despised Passover season and were nervous. Jerusalem’s environment was like a firecracker during Passover week. During Passover, many messianic revolts would occur in the Temple complex. Roman military units were on special alert as these soldiers lived with the possibility that some enthusiastic Jewish Zealot might try to incite a revolt or riot against the Roman government. Yet during this exciting Passover time came Jesus, God's Servant and the Passover Lamb of God (John 1:29, 35). God had predestined that His Son Jesus be crucified on Passover as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29; John 3:17; Romans 3:25; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19).

⁹ Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt. Zechariah 9:9 (NLT)

To prepare for His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of His disciples on ahead of Him to find a colt tied up that has never been ridden (Mark 11:1-2; see also Matthew 21:1-2; Luke 19:28-29). Jesus asked His two disciples to untie the colt and bring the colt to Him (Mark 11:2; see also Matthew 21:2; Luke 19:29-30). Then, Jesus said, “If anyone asks you what you are doing, just say, ‘Our Master needs him and will return him soon.’” (Mark 11:3, TLB; see also Matthew 21:3; Luke 19:31). Just as Jesus predicted, the two disciples found a colt standing in the street, tied outside a house (Mark 11:4; see also Matthew 21:4; Luke 19:32-34). The two disciples brought the colt to Jesus, and the disciples threw their cloaks across the colt’s back for Him to ride on (Mark 11:7; see also Matthew 21:6-7; Luke 19:35).

As Jesus entered Jerusalem to face the Cross, many other people in the crowd spread out their coats along the road before Jesus, while others threw down leafy branches from the fields (Mark 11:8; see also Matthew 21:8; Luke 19:36; John 12:13). Jesus was in the center of the procession with crowds ahead and behind (Mark 11:9; see also Matthew 21:9). Luke and John’s Gospels also adds that all of Jesus’ followers began to shout and sing as they walked beside Him, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen from Jesus (Luke 19:37; John 12:17-18). John’s Gospel adds that many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb and raise Lazarus from the dead. Many in the crowds were joyously telling others about Lazarus’ resurrection by Jesus (John 12:17-18).

The crowd all around Jesus began proclaiming and shouting: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10 (NKJV; see also Matthew 21:9; Luke 19:38; John 12:13). With celebratory shouts and praise, the crowd praised God for Jesus’ coming into the Holy City of Jerusalem as they shouted “Hosanna,” which means “Save!” or “Save now!” (Psalm 118:22-26). Luke’s Gospel adds that some of the Pharisees among the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke Your followers for saying things like that!” (Luke 19:39, NLT). The Pharisees thought the crowd’s praise for Jesus were sacrilegious and blasphemous. Jesus replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” (Luke 19:40, NLT). Jesus was establishing God's eternal Kingdom, a reason for celebration of all!

The crowd correctly recognized Jesus’ as God’s long-awaited King, Messiah, and Savior (see 2 Samuel 7:12-14; Psalm 24:7-10). Jesus was coming into Jerusalem as King as predicted by the Prophet Zechariah (see Zechariah 9:9). Jesus’ triumphant entry is one of the few places where the Gospels record that Jesus’ glory was recognized on earth. Up to this time, Jesus had cautioned people not to reveal His identity as Messiah (Christ) and Son of God, and He had deliberately avoided public scenes. In the triumphant entry, Jesus boldly declared Himself King, and the crowd gladly joined Him.

Matthew’s Gospel states the entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as Jesus entered Jerusalem (Matthew 21:10). By this time, Jesus was extremely popular and well known. Many people asked, “Who is this?” (Matthew 21:10). The crowds replied, “It is Jesus, the Prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” (Matthew 21:11). Although Jesus is the Great Prophet predicted by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18), the Holy Scriptures also declare Jesus is God in human flesh (incarnate) (John 1:1-2, 14; John 20:28, 31); Son of the living God (Matthew 16:15-16; Mark 1:1; Luke 22:70-71; John 8:24), Messiah (Christ) (Matthew 26:63-64; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 9:20; John 4:25-26), King of Israel (Matthew 2:2; John 1:49; John 12:13), and Savior of the world (Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:10-11; John 3:17; Acts 5:31).

At Mark 11:11, Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple (Mark 10:11). Jesus looked around carefully at everything in the Temple (Mark 10:11). Then, Jesus and His disciples left—for now it was late in the afternoon—and went out to Bethany (Mark 10:11). During His last week on earth, Jesus spent His nights outside Jerusalem in Bethany, a village on the Mount of Olives and entered Jerusalem during the day.

Luke’s Gospel adds that while the crowd was rejoicing, Jesus was weeping! Jesus wept because He knew their adoration was short-lived, not genuine, and shallow. The crowds did not wholeheartedly accept Jesus’ gracious opportunity for salvation (Luke 19:41-44). After a few days, the crowd’s celebratory shouts at Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem would lead to shouts to “crucify Him” (see Mark 15:13-14; Luke 23:21; John 19:6). The crowds’ praise to Jesus faded very quickly.

During Jesus’ first advent (arrival) to earth, Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem was like a gentle and peaceable Messiah and King on a donkey's colt as predicted by the Old Testament Prophet Zechariah (see Zechariah 9:9). Also, the prophecies of Jesus’ second coming are just as sure to come true. At Jesus’ second coming to earth, Jesus will come a King of Glory establish His Kingdom on earth (Zechariah 14; see also Revelation 19:11). We are to be ready for His return, for He is coming!

⁷ Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in. ⁸ Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. ⁹ Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in. ¹⁰ Who is He, this King of Glory? The Lord Almighty-- He is the King of Glory. Psalms 24:7-10 (NIV)

References

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament (Due West Campus: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).