Triumphal entry of Jesus Christ

Synopsis

Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a colt, royally yet humbly, to the rejoicing of his followers, but provoking opposition from the Jewish religious leaders.

The colt used in Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem

Jesus Christ’s instructions to his disciples

Lk 19:29–31

Luke 19:29–31 (NASB95) — 29 When He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 31 “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ”

The obedience of the disciples

See also Mt 21:6

Matthew 21:6 (NASB95) — 6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them,

Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem

Jn 12:14–15

John 12:14–15 (NASB95) — 14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”

See also Is 62:11; Zec 9:9

Isaiah 62:11 (NASB95) — 11 Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth, Say to the daughter of Zion, “Lo, your salvation comes; Behold His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him.”

Zechariah 9:9 (NASB95) — 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The response of the crowd to Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem

Proclamation of Jesus Christ’s kingship

Mt 21:8; 2 Ki 9:13 Spreading cloaks on the road was an act of royal homage.

Matthew 21:8 (NASB95) — 8 Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road.

2 Kings 9:13 (NASB95) — 13 Then they hurried and each man took his garment and placed it under him on the bare steps, and blew the trumpet, saying, “Jehu is king!”

Proclamation of Jesus’ messiahship

Mt 21:9

Matthew 21:9 (NASB95) — 9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!”

See also Ps 118:26

Psalm 118:26 (NASB95) — 26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.

Proclamation of Jesus Christ’s victory

Jn 12:13 Palm branches were used in celebration of victory.

John 12:13 (NASB95) — 13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”

See also Le 23:40; Ps 118:27; Re 7:9

Leviticus 23:40 (NASB95) — 40 ‘Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.

Psalm 118:27 (NASB95) — 27 The Lord is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

Revelation 7:9 (NASB95) — 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;

The response of the Pharisees to Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem

Lk 19:39–40

Luke 19:39–40 (NASB95) — 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”