Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Although the event is recorded in all four Gospels (Matt 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:29–44; as well as here in John), the focus of the stories is not the same in all of them.

After pondering the story over the years, I find it completely impossible to designate John’s version of the story by the title of the “triumphal entry.”

That title may apply to Luke’s account, where Jesus told the Pharisees that if his followers were to be silenced “the stones” would “cry out” (Luke 19:40a, probably citing Hab 2:11).

But John’s story is different.

It is strategically framed beforehand by the anointing of Jesus for burial (12:7) and afterwards both by the recognition that the hour of his glorification had arrived and by the likening of his time to the death of seeds (12:23–24).

Jesus here was not confused about the significance of this event or by the shouting of the crowd.

He knew that the meaning of his entry into Jerusalem was an entry into his death.

The days before &

The topic of discussion in Jerusalem

The anointing for His burial

John 12;1

Although the event is recorded in all four Gospels (Matt 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:29–44; as well as here in John), the focus of the stories is not the same in all of them.

After pondering the story over the years, I find it completely impossible to designate John’s version of the story by the title of the “triumphal entry.”

That title may apply to Luke’s account, where Jesus told the Pharisees that if his followers were to be silenced “the stones” would “cry out” (Luke 19:40a, probably citing Hab 2:11).

But John’s story is different.

It is strategically framed beforehand by the anointing of Jesus for burial (12:7) and afterwards both by the recognition that the hour of his glorification had arrived and by the likening of his time to the death of seeds (12:23–24).

Jesus here was not confused about the significance of this event or by the shouting of the crowd.

He knew that the meaning of his entry into Jerusalem was an entry into his death.

All the forces of belief and unbelief which influenced Jesus converged in the brief Period of Crisis.

The hatred of the Jews, the jealousy of Judas, the devotion of Mary, the expectation of the Gentile world, the purpose for which Jesus had called and trained the disciples, the conquest of Satan, and, above all, the will of the Father focussed on the choice which produced the cross and the resurrection.

There was still a private ministry to be fulfilled, as 12:36b indicates; but the decisive step was taken when He said, “But for this cause came I unto this hour.

Father, glorify thy name” (12:27b, 28a).

From this moment on, Jesus walked with unfaltering step to the cross.

The King’s public appearance

The Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover brought the crowd to Jerusalem

The pilgrimage of Passover was required

Deuteronomy 16:16

Jerusalem was the God appointed place to observe Passover

Deuteronomy

2 Chronicles 6:

Observing Passover was a life-long experience for Jesus

This would be Jesus last Passover

Luke 2:41

John 13:1

Luke 22:14-15

The belief in the coming of the Messiah during Passover and the news about the raising of Lazarus from the dead stirred a messianic fervor in Jerusalem

The crowd in Jerusalem ran out to meet Jesus.

They joined the crowd that was already following Jesus from Bethany

The crowd carried palm branches to welcome royalty and a hero

The crowd cries out with shouts from messianic passages of scripture

The crowd cries out with shouts from messianic passages of scripture

Zechar

Psal

The King rides in on a borrowed donkey (; ; )

Psal

Psa

Zechariah

A symbol of peace

A symbol of humility

The people’s view

The finite disciples

Earlier John wrote the same thing

John 2:19-

Their understanding was clouded by their own messianic expectations and personal desires

They formed a Messiah in their own mind conducive to what they longed for.

They knew what they wanted Jesus to produce but in verse 24 Jesus will show the way He will produce what they really needed.

They consulted the scriptures but lacked the spiritual discernment the Holy Spirit would later give them

Luke

Luke 24:

The fickle crowd

The eyewitnesses of Lazarus being raised from the dead

The eyewitnesses of Lazarus being raised from the dead

The hearers and curious

The hearers and curious

Matthew

The fuming Pharisees

The fuming Pharisees

All their efforts appeared futile

All their efforts appeared futile

What would be there next move?

What would be there next move?

,

The searching Greeks (Gentiles)

John 13:

The searching Greeks (Gentiles)

God-fearers like Cornelius or proselytes to Judaism

They approach Philip who lived near the Gentile populations in Bethsaida of Galilee

God-fearers like Cornelius or proselytes to Judaism

Numbers

Philip looks to Andrew and they go together to Jesus

They approach Philip who lived near the Gentile populations in Bethsaida of Galilee

Philip looks to Andrew and they go together to Jesus

The King’s public announcement

Jesus announces His death/glorification

It comes in response to the Gentiles request for an audience with Him

It comes in response to the Gentiles request for an audience with Him

The law made allowance for Gentiles to participate in Passover

The law made allowance for Gentiles to participate in Passover

Were they God-fearers like Cornelius or proselytes to Judaism?

Numbers

They approach Philip who lived near the Gentile populations in Bethsaida of Galilee

Philip looks to Andrew and they go together to Jesus

Andrew is still bringing people to Jesus

He proclaims the time for His death/glorification has arrived

Hebrews 12:2

He proclaims the time for His death has arrived

John 2:

John 7:

He proclaims it is the Son of Man that will be glorified

Son of Man is a term used of the coming Messiah