Luke 19:37-38
As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The "multitude of disciples" praising God here isn't just Jesus' close followers; it includes the larger crowds, many likely ordinary pilgrims swelling Jerusalem for Passover, who were moved by witnessing Jesus' recent, astonishing miracles. This spontaneous eruption of praise, before the city was fully in view, highlights how deeply these "works of power" had convinced people that he was truly the Messiah.
As Jesus descends the Mount of Olives, the city of Jerusalem comes into view for the first time, sparking an overwhelming wave of joy among his followers. This eruption of praise is a direct response to all the incredible miracles they've witnessed, especially recent ones like the raising of Lazarus, solidifying their belief that he is the Messiah. The scene is set for his triumphal entry, a moment of public acclamation before the stark contrast of his coming suffering and the city's impending doom.
Imagine rounding a corner and seeing your life's purpose laid out before you. That's what happened here, but with a city as the backdrop.
As Jesus descended the Mount of Olives, the disciples got their first breathtaking view of Jerusalem. This wasn't just any city; it was the city of David, the place where God's presence dwelled. The writers highlight this geographical moment (Luke 19:37, Cambridge; Luke 19:37, Vincent). It was a pivotal point where the anticipation built from their journey and the recent miracles, like the healing of the blind man near Jericho and the resurrection of Lazarus, culminated.
This sudden, stunning panorama of the holy city, combined with the memories of Jesus' mighty deeds, sparked an explosion of joy and praise. It was a moment where the disciples' faith solidified, seeing Jesus as the promised Messiah about to fulfill His divine purpose.
Sometimes, our faith isn't meant to be quiet. In this moment, the disciples' hearts overflowed into a roar.
The disciples didn't just feel joy; they it with 'a loud voice.' This wasn't a polite murmur but a resounding proclamation, a public declaration of their overflowing happiness and gratitude. This 'loud voice' (Luke 19:37) was a direct response to the 'mighty works' (Luke 19:37) they had witnessed Jesus perform. It was a testament to their conviction that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the King they had longed for.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 19:37-38 is available in the Sola app.
This public display of praise was a powerful counter-narrative to the skepticism and doubt that often surrounded Jesus. It was a vibrant expression of hope and a recognition of God's powerful intervention in their lives through Jesus. The commentators note that this enthusiasm was amplified by the recent raising of Lazarus, a miracle that would have been widely discussed (Pulpit).
This collective outburst shows how shared experiences of God's power can unite believers and compel them to vocalize their faith.
When Jesus enters Jerusalem, it's not just a handful of followers making noise. It's a massive wave of adoring people.
The verse specifies 'the whole multitude of the disciples' (Luke 19:37) rejoiced. This wasn't limited to the inner circle of the twelve apostles. It encompassed the larger group who had been following Jesus, drawn by His teachings and miracles. This includes pilgrims and locals who had seen His power firsthand, like the man He healed near Jericho and those who heard about Lazarus' resurrection.
Commentaries emphasize that this was a vast assembly, not just the apostles, but 'the whole body of the people that were with Christ' (Gill). This broad participation underscores the widespread impact Jesus had made. This diverse group, united in their awe of Jesus' 'mighty works,' together proclaimed their joy and faith as He approached the sacred city.
Understand the original words
chairō · Greek Verb
A state of great joy, gladness, or exultation, often expressed publicly. In a religious context, it is a response to the perceived presence or favor of God.
aineō · Greek Verb
To express worship, honor, or thanksgiving to God, often acknowledging His sovereignty, character, or mighty acts.
dynamis · Greek Noun
Extraordinary acts or wonders performed by God or by His power, demonstrating His divine authority and intervention in human history.
eulogēmenos · Greek Adjective
A term of adoration meaning 'praised' or 'favored,' used in worship to ascribe supreme honor to God or His anointed representative.
basileus · Greek Noun
A supreme ruler or sovereign. In biblical prophecy, the title is specifically applied to the promised Messiah of the line of David.
eirēnē · Greek Noun
The state of wholeness, harmony, and reconciliation. Biblically, it signifies the well-being that comes from being in right relationship with God.
doxa · Greek Noun
The manifestation of God's presence, splendor, and majesty. It refers to the visible or experiential reality of His infinite worth and power.
The disciples' overwhelming joy and praise stemmed from witnessing Jesus' powerful miracles, particularly the recent resurrection of Lazarus, which solidified their belief that he was the promised Messiah entering Jerusalem.
c. 30 AD
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
This miraculous event in Bethany, just a short distance from Jerusalem, generated immense excitement and belief among many people, including pilgrims in the city.
c. 30 AD
Jesus begins journey to Jerusalem
Jesus starts his final journey towards Jerusalem, gathering disciples and followers along the way, including those from Galilee and Judea.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus descends the Mount of Olives
As Jesus and his large group of disciples descend the Mount of Olives, the city of Jerusalem comes into view for the first time on this approach.
c. 30 AD
Disciples rejoice and praise God
At the first sight of Jerusalem, the disciples, filled with joy from Jesus' mighty deeds, especially the raising of Lazarus, erupt in loud praise.
c. 30 AD
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem
Despite the disciples' celebration, Jesus himself weeps over the city, foreseeing its future destruction due to its rejection of God's peace.
c. 30 AD
Jesus enters Jerusalem
Jesus makes his public entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecy by riding on a donkey, while the crowds wave palm branches and shout praises.
This passage describes the same event, highlighting the crowds spreading garments and branches and shouting 'Hosanna,' directly linking the disciples' joyful praise in Luke to a recognized Messianic acclamation.
John 12:17-19This passage explains *why* the crowds were so enthusiastic, pointing to the recent miracle of Lazarus' resurrection, which fueled the 'mighty works' the disciples were praising God for in Luke.
Psalm 118:25-26This Old Testament psalm contains the very cry ('Hosanna!') that the crowds would have been echoing, framing their praise as a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy regarding salvation.
Zechariah 9:9This prophecy describes the King coming to Jerusalem meek and lowly, riding on a donkey, which is the specific event Luke's passage depicts, showing the disciples' joy stemmed from recognizing this fulfillment.
Luke 18:35-43This account of Jesus healing the blind man near Jericho, which immediately precedes His entry into Jerusalem, provides a concrete example of the 'mighty works' that would have stirred such great rejoicing among His followers.
vincentLuke 19:37: "And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;"
The descentTwo distinct sights of Jerusalem are caught on this route, an inequality of ground hiding it for a time after one has first seen it. Luke 19:37 marks the first sight, Luke 19:41 the second and nearer view (see Introduction, on Luke's topographical accuracy). "A t thi…
pulpitLuke 19:37: "And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;"
Verse 37. - At the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen. At this point on the Bethany road the city of Jerusalem comes into view. Here a crowd of pilgri…
The "multitude of disciples" praising God here isn't just Jesus' close followers; it includes the larger crowds, many likely ordinary pilgrims swelling Jerusalem for Passover, who were moved by witnessing Jesus' recent, astonishing miracles. This spontaneous eruption of praise, before the city was fully in view, highlights how deeply these "works of power" had convinced people that he was truly the Messiah.
As Jesus descends the Mount of Olives, the city of Jerusalem comes into view for the first time, sparking an overwhelming wave of joy among his followers. This eruption of praise is a direct response to all the incredible miracles they've witnessed, especially recent ones like the raising of Lazarus, solidifying their belief that he is the Messiah. The scene is set for his triumphal entry, a moment of public acclamation before the stark contrast of his coming suffering and the city's impending doom.
As Jesus descends the Mount of Olives, the city of Jerusalem comes into view for the first time, sparking an overwhelming wave of joy among his followers. This eruption of praise is a direct response to all the incredible miracles they've witnessed, especially recent ones like the raising of Lazarus, solidifying their belief that he is the Messiah. The scene is set for his triumphal entry, a moment of public acclamation before the stark contrast of his coming suffering and the city's impending doom.
"As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes i…" — The "multitude of disciples" praising God here isn't just Jesus' close followers; it includes the larger crowds, many likely ordinary pilgrims swelling Jerusalem for Passover, who were moved by witne…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
