Knowing The Word in Matthew 21:1-11

The Triumphal Entry

[Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem is a deliberately staged demonstration full of symbolic actions designed for maximum impact upon the suspicious Jewish authorities.]

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage [a suburb of Jerusalem separated from the city by the steep Kidron Valley], to the Mount of Olives [King David presumably rode a donkey over the Mount of Olives when he departed Jerusalem during the rebellion of Absalom and this is to remind the people of his rightful return (2 Samuel 16:1-2)], 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 [an interesting and unique title Jesus uses for himself, which normally means “God”] needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” [It was the right of royalty and Rabbis to be able to commandeer an animal for their immediate use—a right that follows from his use of the title “The Lord.” The disciples’ statement would therefore mean “it is needed for divine service.”] 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 [gentle], and mounted on a donkey [not a warhorse], on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” [Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9]

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. [See 1 Kings 1:32-34] 8 Most of the crowd [the very great crowd of Passover pilgrims] spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. [This “red carpet” treatment was reserved for great dignitaries.] 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna [“save us” from Psalm 118:25] to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! [Psalm 118:26] Hosanna in the highest!” [This is the end of the Hallel “Praise” Psalms (113-118) that the pilgrims would chant ascending to the Jerusalem temple at all the great festivals. Why were these psalms written?] 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up [literally “shaken” from which we get the word seismic—remember the city was troubled when the magi arrived], saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet [Deuteronomy 18:15-18] Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” [The Galileans are enlightening the others.]