The Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:28–40)
Introduction
The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem stands as a monumental moment in the life of Jesus. Here, we see him boldly fulfill the prophecy of the Messiah entering Jerusalem, not with the military might expected by many, but on a humble colt. This was not just a parade—it was a declaration. The crowds were ready for revolution, yet the revolution they expected would not come in the way they anticipated. In this passage, we see the crowds’ joy, the Pharisees’ anger, and Jesus’ unyielding resolve. But what does this mean for us today?
Before we walk through this passage together, let’s remember how the Triumphal Entry and Palm Sunday are connected and see the layers of significance in this seemingly simple moment.
Here is a liturgy for Palm Sunday.
Triumphal Entry and Palm Sunday
The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is the event that the Church commemorates as Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. The name comes from the crowds spreading their cloaks and waving palm branches as Jesus rode into the city on a donkey (Luke 19:28-40; Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; John 12:12-19). This was an act of royal homage, reflecting ancient practices where people welcomed victorious kings in similar fashion (2 Kings 9:13).
Palm Sunday has become a cornerstone of Christian worship, symbolizing the tension between the people’s expectations of a conquering Messiah and Jesus’ actual mission of humble, sacrificial kingship. The crowd’s cries of Hosanna!(meaning "save us") reflected their hope for political deliverance, but Jesus came to bring a far greater salvation—one that would be accomplished through the cross, not the sword.
In church tradition, Palm Sunday is often observed with processions, the blessing of palm branches, and readings from the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ entry. Yet the day carries an inherent paradox: the same crowds that shouted Hosanna!would, by the end of the week, cry Crucify him! (Luke 23:21). This stark contrast reminds believers of the human tendency to praise God when he meets our expectations and to turn away when His plans unfold differently than we desire.
Palm Sunday challenges us to consider: Do we welcome Jesus only when he fits our idea of a king, or do we embrace him as he truly is—the suffering Savior, the Prince of Peace, the King whose victory is won through the cross?
Verse by Verse Breakdown of The Triumphal Entry and Commentary
Luke 19:28-30
After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; and as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here.”
Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem is marked by a sense of purpose, as he had set his face toward this city (Luke 9:51). His command to the disciples to find the colt is a purposeful action—nothing is left to chance. By directing them to a colt “that has never been ridden,” He further demonstrates his unique kingship, fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. The colt represents peace, not war—an oxymoron in the eyes of the crowds who expected a warrior-king to free them from Roman rule. But Jesus is not coming to liberate them from earthly powers—he is coming to free them from sin, from life that makes earth tilt toward carnage and injustice.
The Mount of Olives, the place where Jesus gives this command, carries deep significance. It’s a location that appears throughout the Gospels, often associated with moments of prayer, teaching, and prophetic actions. The mount is located just east of Jerusalem, providing a panoramic view of the city. Its name itself speaks to its symbolic role in Jewish tradition, being tied to visions of hope and restoration. In fact, Zechariah 14:4 prophesies that the Lord’s ultimate victory will begin from the Mount of Olives. Thus, when Jesus chooses this location for his entry into the city, he is aligning himself with the long-awaited messianic hope, preparing to fulfill God’s promises to Israel.
Luke 19:31-34
If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this, “The Lord needs it.” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.”
The disciples’ simple obedience to Jesus’ command highlights the trust and readiness of his followers. The colt’s owners, though initially perplexed, allow the disciples to take the animal when they hear that “the Lord needs it.” This exchange is more than just logistical; it foreshadows the readiness with which people will respond to Jesus—whether out of curiosity, awe, or eventual understanding. The Lord has authority, even over the smallest details of this grand plan, and nothing happens by accident.
Luke 19:35-36
Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.
This moment of adoration is a beautiful display of homage. The crowd spreads their cloaks on the road as Jesus passes by—a sign of respect reserved for royalty. The colt, a humble beast, becomes the royal throne for the King of kings. The act of laying down their cloaks is a symbol of laying down their lives, an offering in response to his presence. This moment is filled with excitement, but also with the tension of what’s to come. The people welcome Jesus, but they do not fully understand the nature of his kingship. They long for freedom from oppression, but He is bringing a different kind of freedom.
The significance of Jesus riding a colt is important. In the ancient world, horses were often associated with war, strength, and kingship. A colt, on the other hand, was a symbol of peace. By choosing a colt, Jesus makes an intentional statement about the nature of his kingdom: it will not come through violence or military conquest, but through peace and humility. This action is a powerful subversion of the popular expectations of the time. Jesus is not a king who will ride in to overthrow the Roman Empire, but one who will overthrow the powers of sin and death through his sacrificial love. The colt is a symbol of the peace he brings—a peace that transcends earthly powers.
Luke 19:37-38
As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power 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 heaven!”
Here we see the culmination of the crowd’s joy, the loud hosannas echoing from the Mount of Olives. The phrase “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord” echoes Psalm 118:26, a messianic psalm that reflects the longing for God’s salvation. Jesus’ entrance is not just a celebration of his person; it’s an acknowledgment of the power and authority that he carries with him. The cry of “Peace in heaven” points to the deeper peace he will bring—not a peace through political victory, but peace through reconciliation with God. The praises are both exuberant and prophetic, though they miss the full weight of his mission.
If the people embrace his kingdom with love, justice, compassionate care, and inclusion of all in the kingdom (a theme in Luke), they will subvert Rome’s domination and win by love. If one uses domination as the tool, that leads to the exclusion of one’s perceived enemies, which is the opposite of Jesus’ entire ministry.
Despite the misunderstanding of Jesus’ kingship, there’s something we can learn from the enthusiasm and desires of the crowd. These were people who lived under the heavy occupation of Rome, destitute and dependent, having their wealth and resources stripped away by their oppressors. Their cries reflect a deep longing for freedom, for justice, for God to intervene. While they may not have understood the nature of the kingdom Jesus was bringing, their hope for a better world is something we can identify with. The joy and passion in their praise remind us that Jesus is the fulfillment of all our longings for justice, peace, and restoration. Like the crowd, we too are waiting for God’s ultimate intervention in our lives and in the world.
Luke 19:39-40
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
The Pharisees’ discomfort with the praise given to Jesus shows their resistance to the idea of him as the Messiah. They see the crowds as misguided, but Jesus’ response is clear: his identity cannot be silenced. The very stones would cry out because the truth of his coming is inescapable. This moment, though fraught with misunderstanding, is also one of profound truth. Jesus is not just a teacher or a prophet; he is the long-awaited Messiah, the one who will bring about God’s final victory. His entry into Jerusalem is the fulfillment of centuries of prophecy, and nothing, not even the objections of the Pharisees, can stop this declaration of truth.
Jesus’ statement that “the stones would shout out” is a reminder that, despite human opposition or misunderstanding, God’s plan will come to pass. The praise and recognition that Jesus rightly deserves cannot be contained. Even if people refuse to acknowledge him, all of creation is aligned with his purpose. This declaration shows the depth of his mission—not only to be acknowledged by humans but to be recognized by all creation. It’s a powerful reminder that, regardless of how the world reacts to him, Jesus will reign, and his glory will be known.
The Triumphal Entry and Meaning for Today:
The Triumphal Entry reveals a significant truth about the nature of Jesus’ mission. The crowd expected a powerful, militaristic king to overthrow their oppressors. But Jesus enters the city on a humble colt, fulfilling a prophecy that emphasizes peace, not conquest. He is the King of Peace. The joy of the crowd is real, but it’s incomplete. They celebrate the mighty works they’ve seen, but they miss the deeper work He’s come to do—the work of reconciling humanity to God through his death and resurrection.
For us today, this passage calls us to reflect on our own expectations of Jesus. Do we want a Jesus who aligns with our desires and ambitions, or are we open to receiving the Jesus who challenges us, who calls us to a different kind of kingdom—one built on humility, love, and sacrifice? Are we willing to lay down our own cloaks before Him, acknowledging Him as the King He truly is, even when His path doesn’t look the way we imagined?
FAQ
What is the Mount of Olives?
The Mount of Olives, located just east of Jerusalem, is a place of great significance in the Bible. It is the location where Jesus often went to pray and is closely tied to prophetic visions of the Messiah’s coming. In Zechariah 14:4, it is prophesied that the Lord will return and stand on this mount. In the context of the Triumphal Entry, Jesus’ choice to start his journey from the Mount of Olives signals the fulfillment of these prophecies, as he begins his final journey to bring salvation to the world.
One often wonders what Jesus saw as he looked over Jerusalem.
Why did Jesus ride a colt into Jerusalem?
Jesus rode a colt to fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, which described the coming Messiah as one who would bring peace, not war. By choosing a colt, Jesus signaled that his kingship would be characterized by humility and peace rather than military conquest. This humble act subverted the expectations of the people, who hoped for a powerful political savior, showing instead that His kingdom was not of this world.
What does the crowd’s praise signify in the Triumphal Entry?
The crowd’s praise, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord,” acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah, though they misunderstood the nature of his kingship. They hoped for a physical liberation from Roman oppression but did not yet fully grasp the spiritual liberation Jesus was bringing. Despite their misunderstanding, their enthusiasm and hope for deliverance reflect a longing for God’s justice and peace, which we can learn from in our own longing for his intervention in our world.
Why were the Pharisees upset about Jesus’ Triumphal Entry?
The Pharisees were uncomfortable with the crowds proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, as it challenged their religious authority and the established order. Jesus’ answer, that “if these were silent, the stones would shout out,” reveals that his identity as the Messiah cannot be suppressed. It’s a declaration that the truth of his kingship is undeniable, and even if people refuse to acknowledge him, all creation is aligned with his purpose.
How long between the Triumphal Entry and the Crucifixion?
The Triumphal Entry occurred on Palm Sunday, and the Crucifixion took place on Friday of the same week. That means there were five days between Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and His death on the cross.
How many days between the Triumphal Entry and the Crucifixion?
From Sunday to Friday, there are five days between Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem and His Crucifixion.
Is the Triumphal Entry in all four Gospels?
Yes, the Triumphal Entry is recorded in all four Gospels:
• Matthew 21:1–11
• Mark 11:1–11
• Luke 19:28–44
• John 12:12–19
Each Gospel provides a slightly different perspective, but all emphasize Jesus entering Jerusalem as the humble yet divine Messianic King riding on a donkey.
Was the Triumphal Entry on Sunday or Monday?
Most scholars and church tradition hold that Palm Sunday was the day of the Triumphal Entry, meaning it occurred on Sunday. However, some interpretations, particularly based on Mark’s Gospel, suggest a Monday entry. The more widely accepted view remains Sunday.
What day of the week was the Triumphal Entry?
The Triumphal Entry traditionally occurred on Sunday, which is why it is celebrated as Palm Sunday in the Christian calendar.
