John 12:12-15
The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that the large crowd who heard Jesus was coming wasn't just the locals; many were travelers who had come to Jerusalem for the feast. This implies their eagerness to see Jesus was fueled by their presence for a significant religious gathering, showing how His fame was spreading beyond immediate circles to those drawn by communal worship.
The day after Jesus raised Lazarus and drew significant attention, a huge crowd who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover festival heard He was entering the city. This verse marks the beginning of Jesus' public, royal entrance into Jerusalem, signaling the fulfillment of prophecy and His imminent crucifixion. The gathering crowd, eager to see both Jesus and Lazarus, prepared to welcome Him as their King.
Imagine a massive festival, drawing people from all over. Suddenly, whispers turn into shouts: Jesus is coming!
The verse highlights a 'large crowd' that had gathered for a feast. This wasn't just a local gathering; these were pilgrims, likely including many from Galilee and other regions, all present in Jerusalem for a significant religious event.
When they heard Jesus was approaching, their response was immediate and enthusiastic. This wasn't a planned event by the religious elite, but a spontaneous outpouring of interest from ordinary people.
Jesus's arrival wasn't just another celebrity sighting; it was a deliberate moment, charged with prophecy and royal significance.
While the crowd's excitement is palpable, the significance of Jesus's arrival in Jerusalem goes much deeper than just a popular figure entering the city. This moment is carefully orchestrated, fulfilling ancient prophecies.
Understand the original words
heortē · Greek Noun
A designated time for communal religious observance, worship, and celebration, specifically referring in this context to the Passover feast in Jerusalem.
baia tōn phoinikōn · Greek Noun phrase
A rhythmic, aromatic palm branch used symbolically in Jewish culture to signify celebration, victory, and royal honor, often associated with the Feast of Tabernacles.
hôshî‘â nnâ · Hebrew Interjection
A Hebrew expression meaning 'save now' or 'save, we pray,' used as an appeal to God for salvation and later as an exclamation of praise and adoration for the Messianic King.
Kyriou · Greek Noun
The God of Israel, the Creator and Covenant-keeper, whose authority and character Jesus represents in His Messianic mission.
c. AD 30, likely Sunday before Passover— this verse
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
A large crowd, many of whom had come to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, heard Jesus was approaching the city. They went out to meet him, waving palm branches and shouting praises, hailing him as King. Jesus rode on a donkey's colt, fulfilling prophecy.
c. AD 30, the same week
Chief Priests plot Jesus' arrest
The religious authorities, angered by Jesus' popularity and the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection, began plotting to arrest and kill Jesus.
c. AD 30, days before Passover
Passover Feast preparations
The city of Jerusalem swelled with pilgrims for the Passover, a time of national remembrance and expectation. This heightened atmosphere contributed to the fervor surrounding Jesus' arrival.
c. AD 30, around the time of the Triumphal Entry
Miracle of Lazarus' Resurrection
Jesus had recently raised Lazarus from the dead in Bethany, an event that drew a significant crowd and increased public awareness and excitement about Jesus' ministry.
This passage provides a parallel account of Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem, detailing the crowd's enthusiastic reception and the fulfillment of prophecy, giving a fuller picture of the event.
Mark 11:1-11Similar to Matthew, Mark's Gospel also describes the triumphal entry, highlighting the symbolic actions of the crowd and Jesus' deliberate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
Luke 19:29-44Luke's narrative includes Jesus' emotional response to Jerusalem during this entry, offering a deeper insight into His perspective and the significance of the moment for the city.
Zechariah 9:9This Old Testament prophecy explicitly foretold a king arriving in Jerusalem riding on a donkey, directly connecting John's account to a long-awaited Messianic sign.
John 11:55-57This passage immediately precedes the triumphal entry and explains how the news of Jesus' actions, particularly raising Lazarus, had already spread, contributing to the large crowd's excitement.
barnesJohn 12:12: "On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,"
See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 21:1-16 . Also Mark 11:1-11 ; Luke 19:29-44 .
vincentJohn 12:12: "On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,"
A great multitude (ὄχλος πολὺς)Some editors add the article and render, the common people.
The verse highlights that the large crowd who heard Jesus was coming wasn't just the locals; many were travelers who had come to Jerusalem for the feast. This implies their eagerness to see Jesus was fueled by their presence for a significant religious gathering, showing how His fame was spreading beyond immediate circles to those drawn by communal worship.
The day after Jesus raised Lazarus and drew significant attention, a huge crowd who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover festival heard He was entering the city. This verse marks the beginning of Jesus' public, royal entrance into Jerusalem, signaling the fulfillment of prophecy and His imminent crucifixion. The gathering crowd, eager to see both Jesus and Lazarus, prepared to welcome Him as their King.
The day after Jesus raised Lazarus and drew significant attention, a huge crowd who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover festival heard He was entering the city. This verse marks the beginning of Jesus' public, royal entrance into Jerusalem, signaling the fulfillment of prophecy and His imminent crucifixion. The gathering crowd, eager to see both Jesus and Lazarus, prepared to welcome Him as their King.
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basileus · Greek Noun
The promised Anointed One, the Davidic descendant who rules God's people with righteousness and justice; in this context, it signifies Jesus as the fulfillment of Messianic expectation.
thygatēr Siōn · Greek Noun phrase
A descriptor for the people of God, frequently used in the prophets to refer to the city of Jerusalem or its inhabitants in their relationship with God.
mē phobou · Greek Verb phrase
An imperative to abandon dread, terror, or paralyzing anxiety; in a biblical context, it is often given by God to His people in light of His divine presence, protection, or the arrival of His deliverance.
"The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the…" — The verse highlights that the large crowd who heard Jesus was coming wasn't just the locals; many were travelers who had come to Jerusalem for the feast. This implies their eagerness to see Jesus w…
