Luke 19:38
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.
Even as the crowd hails Jesus as King, their cry of "Peace in heaven" points to a truth they might not fully grasp: true peace between God and humanity is established through Jesus' sacrifice, a peace that transcends earthly kingdoms. This phrase echoes the angelic announcement at His birth, highlighting Jesus' role as the divine reconciler, not just a political liberator.
Jesus has just entered Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy, and a huge crowd is erupting with joy and praise. They spread their cloaks and branches before him, hailing him as their King, a descendant of David, and citing the Scriptures in their acclamation. Their shouts echo the ancient Psalms, yet their understanding of Jesus' kingship is still limited, not yet grasping the spiritual nature of his kingdom.
They proclaimed Jesus King, but not with trumpets and chariots. What does His entry reveal about His rule?
The crowd erupted with shouts recognizing Jesus as King. But notice how they recognized Him – He rode on a colt, a sign of humility, not royal power. This wasn't a typical earthly king's entrance.
A Prophetic Entry
This moment fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, specifically Zechariah 9:9. This prophecy described a coming king who would be ‘humble and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ Jesus deliberately chose this humble arrival to show that His kingdom is not of this world. It’s not built on military might or earthly splendor, but on a spiritual power that transforms hearts.
The Disciples' Understanding (and Misunderstanding)
While the crowd's shouts were enthusiastic, the commentators note they didn't fully grasp the depth of Jesus’ kingship. They saw a king, but perhaps an earthly one who would liberate them from Roman rule. Jesus, however, was inaugurating a kingdom that offered a far greater liberation – freedom from sin.
The crowd shouted about peace in heaven. What's the connection between a king's arrival on earth and peace above?
The cry, 'Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!' echoes the angels' song at Jesus' birth (Luke 2:14), but with a significant shift.
From Angels' Song to Earthly Proclamation
At Jesus' birth, the angels sang of 'peace on earth and glory in the highest.' Now, as Jesus enters Jerusalem as King, the people (prophetically, it seems) proclaim 'peace in heaven and glory in the highest.'
The King Who Reconciles
This shift highlights Jesus' role as the King who brings about reconciliation. His kingship isn't just about earthly peace; it's about healing the breach between God and humanity caused by sin. When Jesus comes 'in the name of the Lord,' He is the divine agent who establishes peace between heaven and earth.
Understand the original words
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 shouts of 'Blessed is the King' echo ancient prophecies, revealing that the crowds, though not fully grasping Jesus' spiritual kingship, were responding to God's promised Messiah.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy
Isaiah prophesied about a future king who would come to Jerusalem, meek and riding on a donkey, bringing justice and peace.
c. 520 BC
Zechariah's Prophecy
Zechariah prophesied again about the coming king, describing him as righteous and having salvation, arriving on a colt, bringing peace to the nations.
c. 20 BC - 10 BC
Herod the Great's Reign
Herod the Great ruled Judea, known for his ambitious building projects but also his tyranny, creating a context where many longed for a different kind of king.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
During Jesus' public ministry, he often spoke of the Kingdom of God but avoided overt claims to earthly kingship, fulfilling prophecies indirectly.
c. AD 30-33
This passage directly foretells the meek King arriving on a donkey, which the crowds are referencing when they declare Jesus 'Blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord'.
Psalm 118:26The cry 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' is a direct quote from this psalm, showing the people are using established Messianic language to hail Jesus.
Luke 2:14The phrase 'Peace in heaven and glory in the highest' echoes the angels' song at Jesus' birth, creating a beautiful parallel between his humble arrival and his divine nature.
John 12:13This verse shows the same event, with the crowds shouting 'Hosanna!' and acknowledging Jesus as King, highlighting the widespread recognition of his royal identity, even if not fully understood.
Colossians 1:20The mention of 'peace in heaven' here connects to the ultimate reconciliation achieved through Christ's atoning work, bringing peace between God and humanity.
pooleLuke 19:38: "Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."
See Poole on "Luke 19:35"
bengelLuke 19:38: "Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."
Luke 19:38 . [ Λέγοντες , saying ) The very prophecy which the Saviour had uttered in Galilee, ch. Luke 13:35 , was in this place fulfilled.—Harm., p. 445.[210]]— βασιλεὺς , King ) It was a noble movement on the part of the people [although His external appearance was not kingly.—V. g.]; but yet they did not understand in its deep significance what they were saying. Comp. Lu…
Even as the crowd hails Jesus as King, their cry of "Peace in heaven" points to a truth they might not fully grasp: true peace between God and humanity is established through Jesus' sacrifice, a peace that transcends earthly kingdoms. This phrase echoes the angelic announcement at His birth, highlighting Jesus' role as the divine reconciler, not just a political liberator.
Jesus has just entered Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy, and a huge crowd is erupting with joy and praise. They spread their cloaks and branches before him, hailing him as their King, a descendant of David, and citing the Scriptures in their acclamation. Their shouts echo the ancient Psalms, yet their understanding of Jesus' kingship is still limited, not yet grasping the spiritual nature of his kingdom.
Jesus has just entered Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy, and a huge crowd is erupting with joy and praise. They spread their cloaks and branches before him, hailing him as their King, a descendant of David, and citing the Scriptures in their acclamation. Their shouts echo the ancient Psalms, yet their understanding of Jesus' kingship is still limited, not yet grasping the spiritual nature of his kingdom.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 19:38 is available in the Sola app.
Glory in the Highest
The 'glory in the highest' speaks of God's ultimate glory being revealed and celebrated through the work of His Son. Jesus’ kingship is the pathway to God’s glory being fully realized, both in heaven and ultimately, on earth.
The Raising of Lazarus
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, an event that significantly stirred the crowds and contributed to the Messianic fervor leading up to his entry into Jerusalem.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy. Crowds shouted praises, calling Him 'King' and quoting from Psalms, demonstrating their Messianic expectations.
"saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”" — Even as the crowd hails Jesus as King, their cry of "Peace in heaven" points to a truth they might not fully grasp: true peace between God and humanity is established through Jesus' sacrifice, a peac…
