Hosanna! Glory in the Highest (Luke 19:37-40)

I. Hosanna. vv.37-38

Why Jesus came on Donkey?

Zechariah 9:9–10 NASB95

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. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim And the horse from Jerusalem; And the bow of war will be cut off. And He will speak peace to the nations; And His dominion will be from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.

To fulfil the prophesy .

No One has ever ride that Colt (donkey) - Jesus Is King of Israel, so He accept this title.

Peaceful King

Absalom also rode a donkey after David.

Throwing of clothes

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 35C: Luke 18:35–24:53 Explanation

Solomon on David’s donkey in 1 Kgs 1:33, and the newly anointed Jehu in 2 Kgs 9:13. Jesus is treated to an extravagant expression of supreme honoring.

Praises

Jesus journey ended

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 35C: Luke 18:35–24:53 Comment

Besides, a general crowd response here would create confusion about the referent of 13:35b, by making it possible to think that what was anticipated there had now already arrived (cf. v 38 below). At this point of anticipation of the fateful arrival in Jerusalem, the praise concerning “the mighty works” represents a retrospective affirmation of the whole of Jesus’ ministry, now drawing to a close (the “multitude” of the disciples will also represent symbolically the whole fruit of Jesus’ disciple-making activity), but the praise may also reasonably be taken as indicating the view that these mighty works are a precursor of the messianic blessedness to come out of this fateful entry.

2 miles away from Jerusalem

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 35C: Luke 18:35–24:53 Explanation

The action begins about two miles from Jerusalem, when the pilgrim band was still out of sight of Jerusalem on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives. It will reach its climax as Jesus approaches the crest and the city comes into view.

Parallel Verses:

Luke 2:13–14 NASB95

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Luke 2:20 NASB95

The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Luke 19:38 NASB95

shouting: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

OT Reference

Psalm 118:26 NASB95

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.

What has been Achieved on Earth (Angels) & Heaven (disciples)

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 35C: Luke 18:35–24:53 Comment

the multitude of the angels had celebrated (2:13–14) what is achieved on the earth in the birth of Jesus; the multitude of the disciples now celebrate what is achieved in heaven by Jesus’ journey through death to exaltation.

Reconcile on Earth & Heaven

Colossians 1:20 NASB95

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Stone will cry out

Joshua 24:22–28 NASB95

Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves the Lord, to serve Him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” “Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice.” So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the Lord. Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, so that you do not deny your God.” Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his inheritance.

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 35C: Luke 18:35–24:53 Explanation

As counterpart to the adoring praise of the disciples, we have the complaint of the Pharisees. They cannot see what God is doing in Jesus. Instead, they see only the fracturing of their piety and therefore the insulting of God. The respective roles of disciples and Pharisees provide parallels to those of the slaves and the fellow citizens of the preceding parable. To the Pharisees’ complaint, Jesus replies that in such a high moment of destiny, if the disciples were silenced, then lifeless stones would take up the refrain: creation must in some shape or form bear its witness to such a momentous occasion.