Before the last days of his ministry, Jesus entered Jerusalem in style, as Zechariah had already prophesied it. He sent two disciples to bring him a donkey he would later ride on. While in Jerusalem, the crowd laid palm branches down on the road for him to walk on. From this story, several bible readers are always curious to know, “what happened to Jesus on Palm Sunday?”
According to Mathew 21:1-11, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey with his disciples. A crowd met them and spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road for him as they shouted ”Hosanna in the highest!” this was a fulfillment of the prophecy Zechariah had made about him in 9:9, being the humble King.
So, how was Jesus’ journey on Palm Sunday? What happened on Palm Sunday? How did Palm Sunday mark Jesus’ resolution to die for humanity? What happened when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? How did Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem fulfill the prophecy about the Messiah? What did Jesus say to his disciples on Palm Sunday? When does Palm Sunday begin? Why do Christians celebrate Palm Sunday today? Read on to learn the answers to these questions.
Jesus’ journey on Palm Sunday
Jesus’ journey on Palm Sunday fulfilled the prophecy Zechariah had made long ago before he was even born. His journey into Jerusalem opened the way for his betrayal by the chief priests, teachers of the law, and even one of his disciples, eventually leading to his death.
Zechariah 9:9 says, “Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for Joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
What happened on Palm Sunday?
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey on Palm Sunday as the crowd shouted his name, as Mathew 21:1-3 records. This day began early morning when Jesus was heading to Jerusalem with his disciples. Upon reaching Bethphage on Mount Olive, Jesus sent two of his disciples o bring him a donkey they found tied up with her colt beside her. Jesus further informed them if anyone questioned them, they were to tell the person that the master needed it, a sign that all of this had been foretold.
The disciples did as instructed, returned with the donkey, and Jesus got on it. When the crowd saw them, they quickly spread their cloaks for Jesus to walk on, and others cut palm branches as they put them before Jesus. The public started praising Jesus, referring to him as the Son of David. As he entered Jerusalem, the uproar from the crowd increased as people continued to recognize him. The book of Luke 19:41-44 also reveals that Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem and prophesized its destruction.
How did Palm Sunday mark Jesus’ resolution to die for humanity?
Palm Sunday marked Jesus’ resolution to die for humanity, as it is the day that he accepted he was the Messiah, just as Zechariah had prophesied in Zechariah 9:9 years ago. The work of the Messiah was to die for the sins of humankind, and Jesus knew that his time had come.
What happened when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday?
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the whole city was confused as they tried to get a hint of who Jesus was. The crowd that had been with Jesus replied to the people, telling them that he was the prophet Jesus and was from Galilee. Mathew 21:10-11 says, “When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was thrown into an uproar. “Who is he?” the people asked. “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee,” the crowds answered.”
Jesus then went straight into the temple and chased away all of those who were buying and selling. He overturned all the tables and stools being used and called them out for using the temple of God for business instead of using it as a temple of God, as Mathew 21:13 records.
He then went ahead and healed the blind and the disabled. The children saw what he was doing and praised him, but the chief priest and the law teachers became angry and questioned Jesus on why the children were referring to him as David’s Son. Responding to their question, Jesus revealed to them that the children and babies would offer perfect praise, as Mathew 21:16-17 states.
How did Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem fulfill the prophecy about the Messiah?
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem fulfilled the prophecy about the Messiah, from how he entered the city and who he came in as. Zechariah had also prophesied the coming of a king who would be humble and would enter the city riding on a donkey to prove his humility.
Zechariah 9:9 says, “Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
During those times, the earthly kings usually rode on horseback and chariots whenever they entered a city to show their power. Jesus, however, rode on a donkey to show that although he was King, he was not the ordinary one that people had expected.
Additionally, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy about the Messiah after revealing that his Kingdom does not belong to the world, just as the Kingdom of the Messiah had been prophesied in John 18:36.
What did Jesus say to his disciples on Palm Sunday?
Jesus ordered his disciples to go to the village and bring him a donkey tied up with her colt beside her. He was to use the donkey to ride through the city of Jerusalem. Mathew 21:2-3 says, “There Jesus sent two of the disciples on ahead with these instructions: “Go to the village there ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied up with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to me. And if anyone says anything, tell him, ‘The Master needs them, and then he will let them go at once.”
When does Palm Sunday begin?
Bible scholars from Britannica imply that Palm Sunday begins on the first day of the Holy Week. This week, the days of the week are usually referred to as Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday is usually celebrated between March 14th and April 14th, but the days typically shift because of different seasons. For instance, Palm Sunday was celebrated on April 10th, 2022. It will be celebrated on April 2nd, 2023, March 24th, 2024, and April 13th, 2025.
Why do Christians celebrate Palm Sunday today?
Christians celebrate Palm Sunday to remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the day he entered the city to save all of those lost. Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.”
References
- Palm Sunday
- What is the meaning of Palm Sunday, and Why celebrate it?
- What is Palm Sunday?
- Palm Sunday-Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
