Matthew 21:11
And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the crowd identifies Jesus as "the Prophet," they also attach the label "of Nazareth," a detail Matthew notes was a fulfillment of prophecy about his humble origins. This highlights how Jesus' Messianic identity was recognized even amidst the common, almost dismissive, familiarity of his provincial background.
Jesus has just made a grand, yet humble, entrance into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey as a fulfillment of prophecy. The crowds are ecstatic, shouting praises and spreading cloaks before him. Amidst this joyous commotion, as Jesus enters the city and heads toward the temple, the people identify him, clarifying to those who might be asking "Who is this?" that he is indeed Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds knew who he was. But what did their shouting reveal about their expectations?
The crowd's declaration, 'This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee,' highlights a popular understanding of Jesus' identity.
The crowd's acclamation seemed like pure praise. But was it a solid foundation of faith, or a fleeting popular trend?
The enthusiasm of the crowd on Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was striking, but the Bible offers a stark warning about its nature.
Understand the original words
prophētēs · Greek Noun
A person chosen and commissioned by God to communicate His message to His people, often calling for repentance or foretelling future events.
The crowd's identification of Jesus as 'the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee' reflects a mix of recognition of his prophetic role and his humble Galilean origins, contrasting with the grandeur of Jerusalem and the Temple.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and ending its existence as a distinct entity. This event created a sense of vulnerability for the remaining southern Kingdom of Judah.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Neo-Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling a significant portion of the population. This catastrophic event profoundly shaped Jewish identity and longing for restoration.
538 BC
Return from Exile
The Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great allows the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple. This marked a new era of Jewish life under foreign rule but with a restored religious center.
c. 20-19 BC
Herod the Great Rebuilds the Temple
Herod the Great begins an extensive renovation and expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This massive project aimed to solidify his rule and impress his subjects, creating a grand center of worship.
This passage prophesies a prophet like Moses, whom the people recognized Jesus to be, as stated in Matthew 21:11.
John 6:14After Jesus miraculously fed the 5,000, the people declared, 'This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world,' echoing the sentiment of the crowd in Matthew 21:11.
Acts 3:22Peter directly quotes Deuteronomy 18:18, applying it to Jesus and calling Him a prophet, reinforcing the identity attributed to Jesus by the crowds in Matthew 21:11.
Matthew 2:23This verse mentions that Jesus would be called a Nazarene, fulfilling a prophetic word and explaining the common appellation 'of Nazareth' used in Matthew 21:11.
1 Samuel 16:7This passage highlights God's perspective on choosing leaders, contrasting with human tendency to judge by outward appearance, which relates to the 'Nazareth of Galilee' designation that might have been a stumbling block to some, as mentioned in Matthew 21:11.
henryMatthew 21:1-11: "And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,"
21:1-11 This coming of Christ was described by the prophet Zechariah, Zec 9:9. When Christ would appear in his glory, it is in his meekness, not in his majesty, in mercy to work salvation. As meekness and outward poverty were fully seen in Zion's King, and marked his triumphal entrance to Jerusalem, how wrong covetousness, ambition, and the pride of lif…
bengelMatthew 21:11: "And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."
Matthew 21:11 . Ὁ τροφήτης , the Prophet ) Jesus was first acknowledged as a Prophet, then as Priest and King.— ὁ ἀπὸ Ναζαρὲτ , of Nazareth ) This was a customary appellation [for Him].
While the crowd identifies Jesus as "the Prophet," they also attach the label "of Nazareth," a detail Matthew notes was a fulfillment of prophecy about his humble origins. This highlights how Jesus' Messianic identity was recognized even amidst the common, almost dismissive, familiarity of his provincial background.
Jesus has just made a grand, yet humble, entrance into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey as a fulfillment of prophecy. The crowds are ecstatic, shouting praises and spreading cloaks before him. Amidst this joyous commotion, as Jesus enters the city and heads toward the temple, the people identify him, clarifying to those who might be asking "Who is this?" that he is indeed Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth.
Jesus has just made a grand, yet humble, entrance into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey as a fulfillment of prophecy. The crowds are ecstatic, shouting praises and spreading cloaks before him. Amidst this joyous commotion, as Jesus enters the city and heads toward the temple, the people identify him, clarifying to those who might be asking "Who is this?" that he is indeed Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth.
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c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus conducts much of his public ministry in Galilee, performing miracles and teaching. His origins in Nazareth, a small Galilean town, would have been widely known.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus makes a dramatic entrance into Jerusalem, hailed by crowds as a prophet and the Son of David. The people identify him as 'Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee,' highlighting their understanding of his origins and perceived role.
"And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”" — While the crowd identifies Jesus as "the Prophet," they also attach the label "of Nazareth," a detail Matthew notes was a fulfillment of prophecy about his humble origins. This highlights how Jesus'…
