 Previous Chapter |
 Return to Outline |
 Ask Questions |
 Next Chapter |
This event is one of only 14 events out of 182 that are recorded by all four of the Gospel writers. We will read Matthew's account but as we study, we will include those things from Mark, Luke and John, which I believe, add to the story and are not found in Matthew's account.
From all three of the accounts, it would appear that Jesus left the home of Mary and Martha at Bethany and went toward Jerusalem, passing through Bethphage. "Beth" was the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet and it meant "dwelling place" or "house". Bethany meant, house of the poor. Bethphage meant, house of unripe figs". Bethphage had never been exactly located but it is believed that it lay between Bethany and the Mount of Olives, on the road to Jerusalem.
It would appear that Jesus spent the Sabbath at the home of Mary and Martha, then on Sunday morning He left there and headed toward Jerusalem. Nearing Bethphage, He sent two of the Disciples into the village to get an ass or donkey and a colt and bring them back to Him. We are not told who the two Disciples were but tradition says it was Peter and John. The donkey was the common man's means of transportation, only the rich or Roman soldiers could afford horses.
Why did Jesus choose a donkey? One obvious reason, He humbled Himself and choose this means of coming into Jerusalem even though He knew it would be a "triumphant" entrance. The other reason was that perhaps the custom of Israel had something to do with it, for judges rode upon white donkeys and their sons upon colts. Christ would appear as the Son of the Judge of Israel. But also it was prophesied in Zechariah 9:9, "Rejoice greatly, you daughters of Zion, Lo, your King comes to you, triumphant and victorious is He, humble and riding on an ass, on the colt, the foal of an ass." It would appear from this that He rode on the colt of the donkey, further emphasizing His humility.
Notice what the Disciples were to tell the owner of these animals if he asked what they wanted with them. Tell him, "The Lord has need of them and will return them back to you when He is done with them." Notice the preparation that went into this:
Notice the undisputed way that the Disciples obeyed Jesus. It had only been a few weeks sense they had tried to talk Jesus out of going to Jerusalem. Fear for His life was the motivating factor then. Now they seem content to do as He commands, perhaps they had, as they said before, accepted the fact that death was inevitable. They went, did as Jesus directed and brought back the donkey and the colt. Then they put garments on the colt and Jesus sat upon it.
Notice the honor that the multitude put upon Jesus. They spread their garments on the road that He might ride upon them. This was Jewish tradition for kings. When Jehu was proclaimed King of Israel, the captains of the Army spread their garments before him and proclaimed their allegiance to him. Those who take Christ as their king must lay all at His feet. Others cut palm branches and laid them in the street for Him to ride upon. This to was a tradition that was done at the Feast of the Tabernacles in token of liberty, victory and joy. So we see the importance of the tokens that they spread before Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem.
Just as important as what they did was what they shouted. "Hosanna to the Son of David." Hosanna signified "save now, we beseech thee". When they carried these branches around during the Feast of Tabernacles, they would shout Hosanna, soon the bunches of branches were called "hosannas". "Son of David" meant that He was born of the House of David, born in the City of David, Bethlehem, and born of the linage of David.
"Blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord." They believed that His power was the result of being blessed by God. Jesus always gave God the credit for whatever He did. "Hosanna in the highest, phrase God who saves now." The whole city seemed caught up in the celebration and there was an air of expectation.
The question was, what were they expecting? They earnestly sought an earthly kingdom. They mistakenly thought that the "Promised Messiah" would bring them that earthly kingdom. A few short days would turn their joy into disappointment. Some obviously did not know who Jesus was and why He was being honored. "Who is this?" they asked. Some said, "He is the great prophet from the city of Nazareth in Galilee", and they were right, as far as they went. But they missed the whole nature of this man. He was the Son of God. He was the Christ. He was the Messiah. He was of Bethlehem, as prophesied. The question is still asked today, "Who is Jesus of Nazareth?"
Matthew and Luke record the incident of the "cleansing of the Temple" as having occurred on Palm Sunday. Mark records it as occurring the next day, on Monday. Most scholars believe that it occurred early in His ministry as recorded in John 2:13-25. We will repeat that study in the next lesson for surly the indignities to the Temple that Jesus tried to clean up early in His ministry, must have continued as it appears here.
It would appear that He healed the blind and the lame that day and because of this and the great way that He had been received into the city, the Chief Priests and the Scribes became angry. They were jealous of Him and resolved to do away with Him. Even the little children were shouting phrases to the Son of David. "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, thou has brought perfect phrase."
That evening, He and His Disciples left Jerusalem and returned to Bethany undoubtedly staying at the home of Mary and Martha.
Previous Chapter |
Return to Outline |
Ask Questions |
Next Chapter |