Matthew 21:1-11, The Triumphal Entry

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Comments

Jesus staged his arrival in Jerusalem as a demonstration full of symbolic actions designed for maximum impact upon the suspicious Jewish authorities. King David presumably rode a donkey over the Mount of Olives when he departed Jerusalem during the rebellion of Absalom. This was to remind the people of the king’s rightful return. It was the right of royalty and rabbis to be able to commandeer an animal for their immediate use—a right that follows from Jesus’ use of the title “The Lord.”

This “red carpet” treatment was reserved for great dignitaries. The crowd shouted out verses from Psalm 118. Why did God inspire this psalm to be written? For this exact moment of waving palm branches and cheers. Jesus had come to save his people.

Prayer

As on this day we keep the special memory of our redeemer’s entry into the city, so grant, O Lord, that now and ever he may triumph in our hearts. Let the king of grace and glory enter in, and let us lay ourselves and all we are in full joyful homage before him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Handley C. G. Moule, 1841-1920