[T]he crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” — Matthew 21:9

Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

Reflection:

The account of the triumphal entry, one of the most joy-filled events in Jesus’s life, is recorded in all four of the gospels. The accounts record different details of the event — not with information that is conflicting but rather complementary.

Matthew the tax collector, Mark the landowner, Luke the physician, and John the fisherman all write under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit — yet record the same event as seen through different sets of eyes. It is good to look at all the gospels in parallel to gain the best understanding of the triumphal entry as Jesus came into Jerusalem for the Passover feast and the last week of his earthly life.

Only Matthew records two donkeys — the mother and her colt — both taken and covered in cloaks. The other gospels only speak of the colt. But it makes sense that the colt would eagerly go with the disciples if its mother was coming along too. If you want the colt (or the child) to cooperate, it is always good to have Mom along.

Matthew and John record the prophecy fulfilled from Zechariah 9:9 that Jesus would ride on the colt of a donkey. John goes on to say regarding riding on the colt that [h]is disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him (John 12:16).

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record a conversation that occurred between the disciples and some men when the disciples were untying the colt, but Luke adds information that the men were actually the owners of the donkey: And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” (Luke 19:33).

The familiar exultation Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Hosanna and Hosanna in the highest are recorded in both Matthew and Mark. (Hosanna is a joy-filled exclamation used in Bible times, much like the contemporary Alleluia.)

All the gospels note that the triumphal entry is a significant event in Jerusalem that day; there are multitudes and crowds and those who went before and those who followed. Matthew records that when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee” (vv. 10-11). John finishes his account of the triumphal entry saying, “Look, the world has gone after him” (John 12:19).

The accounts of the triumphal entry are primarily narrative. The crowds give praise, ask, “Who is this?” (v. 10), and respond, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee” (v. 11).

Jesus only speaks twice — once giving instructions to his disciples about getting the colt recorded in the first three gospels, and then in response to the Pharisees when they challenge the noise of the crowd praising Jesus — this only recorded in Luke (19:39-40).

The Pharisees also speak twice, first asking Jesus to quiet the crowd and then saying to each other at the end of the account in John, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him” (12:19).

When I reflect on the triumphal entry, I find myself asking, “Where would I have been in that mass of people? Would I have been laying my cloak in the road? Would I have been eagerly following Jesus? What would I have been saying? I would have gladly led the donkey, but would I have been eager to shoulder the cross? Selah.

Response:

1. Parallel: Studying a passage like the triumphal entry as it is recorded in multiple gospels is edifying and inspiring. Looking at the harmony of the gospels is a good practice.
   
   
2. Praise: Don’t let the familiarity of Palm Sunday lull you into lethargy. Jesus is no less worthy of our praise today than he was when he entered Jerusalem on the colt. Again, Jesus is no less worthy of our praise today than he was when he entered Jerusalem on the colt! Sense anew his majesty and his beauty. Rejoice in his finished work of redemption, and shout, “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Don’t let the stones offer more praise than your lips.
   
   
3. Participate: You have likely never heard a Palm Sunday message that gave much time to the owners of the donkey. But here are men who willingly handed over their donkey and its colt to men they didn’t know just because the Master needed the colt. Would we be so inclined? May we also hold loosely the things of this world and be willing to give of our time, talent, and treasure to be a part of advancing the kingdom.
   
   
4. Promote: Join with thousands in today’s church who know and love Jesus and identify with him: let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16), and [l]ove one another: just as I have loved you” (John 13:34). May the Pharisees and naysayers of today also come say, “Look, the world has gone after him” (John 12:19).