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!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The crowd's cry, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," wasn't just a random cheer; it was a direct quote from Psalm 118, a passage they understood as referring to the Messiah. By using these specific words, they were publicly declaring their belief that Jesus was the prophesied King of Israel, acknowledging his divine authority and the salvation He brought.
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!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Jesus's raising of Lazarus, a significant crowd gathers, drawn by the miracle and the Passover feast. As Jesus makes his purposeful entry into Jerusalem, this multitude, some from out of town and stirred by the Spirit, streams out to meet him, waving palm branches in a joyous, kingly welcome. They acclaim him as Israel's King, echoing ancient Messianic prophecies from Psalm 118 and signaling their hope for salvation and divine deliverance.
Why did the crowds grab palm branches for Jesus' entrance? It wasn't just a random decoration!
Palm branches weren't just pretty decorations; they were a powerful symbol. In ancient Jewish tradition, carrying palm branches signified victory and triumph. Think of it like waving flags after a great win. During the Feast of Tabernacles, people would specifically use palm branches as part of their celebration, waving them in joyful praise. By using them for Jesus, the crowd was declaring him a victor, a triumphant King. They saw him as the one who would bring them deliverance and victory, fulfilling prophetic expectations.
The cry of "Hosanna!" echoed through Jerusalem. What did they really mean by it?
The word "Hosanna" is more than just an exclamation of praise; it's a fervent prayer. It comes from Hebrew and essentially means "Save us, we pray!" or "Give salvation!". This cry is directly from Psalm 118, a psalm widely understood to be Messianic, anticipating the coming King. When the crowd shouted "Hosanna," they weren't just cheering; they were pleading with Jesus to save them, to enact their longed-for redemption and establish His kingdom. It reveals their desperate hope for deliverance, though their understanding of that deliverance was still largely political and earthly.
They hailed Jesus as King, but with a crucial qualifier. What does 'in the name of the Lord' tell us?
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The people declared Jesus "the King of Israel," but the phrase "who comes in the name of the Lord" is vital. It means Jesus wasn't acting on his own authority or ambition. He was coming as God's chosen representative, acting with divine commission and power. This connects Jesus directly to God's plan and His authority. It distinguishes Him from any earthly king who might seize power. This title, "King of Israel," combined with "in the name of the Lord," points to a King who rules not by human might, but by divine mandate, setting the stage for His spiritual reign.
Understand the original words
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.
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.
The palm branches and the cry 'Hosanna' were deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, particularly the Feast of Tabernacles and the Hallel Psalms. This act of acclamation was a public declaration by the crowds, who saw Jesus as the promised King of Israel, fulfilling ancient prophecies in a way that resonated with their historical longing for liberation.
c. 140 BC
Maccabean Revolt and Hasmonean Dynasty
The Maccabean revolt established a period of Jewish independence, during which the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) gained renewed significance. The Hallel Psalms, including Psalm 118, were prominently used during this feast and were later associated with messianic expectations.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest of Jerusalem
Rome's conquest of Jerusalem brought Judea under Roman rule, creating a context of foreign occupation and a deep longing for a divinely appointed King to liberate Israel.
c. AD 25-30
Jesus' Ministry and Growing Popularity
Jesus' miracles, particularly the raising of Lazarus, drew large crowds and increased his fame, leading many Jews to see him as the prophesied Messiah and King of Israel.
The day before John 12:13
The Raising of Lazarus
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, a powerful sign that convinced many Jews of Jesus' divine authority and fueled their desire to see him, but also alarmed the religious leaders.
The day of John 12:13— this verse
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus made a deliberate entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and being hailed by the crowds with palm branches and shouts of 'Hosanna,' acknowledging him as King of Israel.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Despite the crowds' acclamations, Jesus was soon betrayed, crucified, and then resurrected, ultimately establishing his spiritual kingdom rather than a political one.
This passage describes the same event, detailing the crowds laying garments and branches in Jesus' path and shouting 'Hosanna,' directly echoing the acclamations in John 12:13.
Mark 11:8-10Mark's account of Jesus' triumphal entry also includes the widespread use of palm branches and the cry, 'Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming!' highlighting the Messianic expectation.
Luke 19:37-38Luke’s narrative emphasizes the joy of the whole multitude of disciples as they began to praise God loudly for all the mighty works they had seen, including the shout of 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!'
Psalm 118:25-26The cries of the crowd in John 12:13 are a direct quotation from this Messianic Psalm, revealing the deep-seated hope and scriptural expectation for a divinely appointed King.
Zechariah 9:9This prophetic passage foretells the coming of a King to Jerusalem who is righteous and lowly, riding on a donkey, which the crowds recognized as being fulfilled in Jesus' entry, as noted by other evangelists.
vincentJohn 12:13: "Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord."
Branches of palms (τὰ βαΐ́α τῶν φοινίκων)The A.V. overlooks both the articles, the branches of the palms. βαΐ́α occurs only here in the New Testament, and means palm branches, or, strictly, tops of the palms where the fruit is produced. Of the palms may have been added by John for readers unacquainted with the technical term, but the…
calvinJohn 12:9-15: "Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead."
- Then a great multitude of the Jews knew that he was there, and came, not on account of Jesus only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10. Now the chief priests consulted, that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11. For many of the Jews on his account went away, and beli…
The crowd's cry, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," wasn't just a random cheer; it was a direct quote from Psalm 118, a passage they understood as referring to the Messiah. By using these specific words, they were publicly declaring their belief that Jesus was the prophesied King of Israel, acknowledging his divine authority and the salvation He brought.
Following Jesus's raising of Lazarus, a significant crowd gathers, drawn by the miracle and the Passover feast. As Jesus makes his purposeful entry into Jerusalem, this multitude, some from out of town and stirred by the Spirit, streams out to meet him, waving palm branches in a joyous, kingly welcome. They acclaim him as Israel's King, echoing ancient Messianic prophecies from Psalm 118 and signaling their hope for salvation and divine deliverance.
Following Jesus's raising of Lazarus, a significant crowd gathers, drawn by the miracle and the Passover feast. As Jesus makes his purposeful entry into Jerusalem, this multitude, some from out of town and stirred by the Spirit, streams out to meet him, waving palm branches in a joyous, kingly welcome. They acclaim him as Israel's King, echoing ancient Messianic prophecies from Psalm 118 and signaling their hope for salvation and divine deliverance.
"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!”" — The crowd's cry, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," wasn't just a random cheer; it was a direct quote from Psalm 118, a passage they understood as referring to the Messiah. B…
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Last reviewed October 2026