There’s really 3 “sections” to this story:
- What the disciples do before entering Jerusalem
Matthew, Mark and Luke all begin the story the same way:
Mark 11:1-3
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
Matthew 21:4-5
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
Again, as the story continues, Matthew, Mark and Luke all say almost exactly the same words:
Luke 19:32-35
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.
2. The people’s response to Jesus coming in
Matthew 21:8-9
8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Mark adds to what the people were shouting:
Mark 11:9-10
“Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Luke adds:
Luke 19:38
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
3. The author’s comments on what happens after
Matthew’s ending again focused on Jesus as fulfilling prophecy:
Matthew 21:10-11
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Mark ending is straight to the point:
Mark 11:11
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Luke 19:39-44
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Then we have John. Who just does his own thing.
John 12:14-19
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
2 Main Points out of this part of the story
POINT 1: God is faithful to fulfill His promises
We see all 4 of the gospel writers making sure that these seemingly insignificant details are included in their telling of the story.
The Jewish people would have known these prophesies and been WATCHING for them…WATCHING for the Messiah! These gave them HOPE for the future of what God would do next!
And today He still proves himself over and over to remind us of the hope that WE have as well.
When we LOOK at the faithfulness of God, we have NO CHOICE but to be reminded of JUST how in control He really is.
POINT 2: The people’s response/our response to Jesus coming
When Jesus came into Jerusalem on that donkey, there was a spontaneous response by the people. Everything about this moment is upside down from people’s expectations.
The crowd wanted a messiah to rule in power
- Jesus offers humility
- The crowd expected military and political victory over enemies
- Jesus brings victory over sin and death
Why it matters:
Jesus doesn’t reject kingship—He redefines it.
The Triumphal Entry shows us that Jesus is King, but not the kind of King people expect. He fulfills prophecy, moves with purpose, weeps with compassion and reveals God’s glory. It kind of begs a response from us of “what’s our response when Jesus shows up like we don’t expect?”
We’re willing to dive into His presence as things seem to make sense, but are willing to STAY there when they don’t?
FAITHFULNESS OVER TIME.
This story is a declaration of WHO JESUS IS.
A humble king.
One who has come to meet EVERY SINGLE promise but maybe not the way we think.
John 12:16
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
