What is the significance of the triumphal entry?

Response

The triumphal entry refers to Jesus entering Jerusalem on what we now know as Palm Sunday, the Sunday before His crucifixion. In the Gospel of John 12:1,12, it is written, “Then Jesus, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom He raised from the dead.” The following day, many people who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem (John 12:1,12). This event is recounted in all four Gospel accounts (Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19). By combining these accounts, it is evident that the triumphal entry was a significant event, not only for the people of Jesus’ time but also for Christians throughout history. Palm Sunday is celebrated to commemorate this important moment.

On that day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey’s colt, one that had never been ridden before. His disciples placed their cloaks on the donkey for Jesus to sit on, and the crowds welcomed Him by laying their cloaks and palm branches before Him. They praised Him as the “King who comes in the name of the Lord” as He rode to the temple. There, He taught the people, healed them, and drove out the money-changers and merchants who had turned His Father’s house into a “den of robbers.” It is written, “And He taught, saying to them, ‘Is it not written, My house shall…’.”

Will be called by all nations the house of prayer? But you have made it a den of thieves.” , (Mark 11:17).

Jesus’ purpose in riding into Jerusalem was to publicly declare His claim to be their Messiah and King of Israel as foretold in the Old Testament. Matthew explains that the King arriving on a donkey’s foal was a precise fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Jesus enters His capital city as a victorious King and is welcomed by the people accordingly, following the customs of the time. The streets of Jerusalem, the royal city, are open to Him, and like a king, He proceeds to His palace, not a physical palace but the spiritual palace that is the temple, for His is a spiritual kingdom. He is honored and praised by the people because He alone is worthy of it. He no longer instructs His disciples to keep quiet about Him “and charged them that they should not make him known:”, (Matthew 12:16,16:20) but to openly proclaim His praises and worship Him. The act of spreading cloaks was a gesture of homage to royalty “Then they hurried, each man took his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.”, (see 2 Kings 9:13). Jesus was clearly announcing to the people that He was their King and the long-awaited Messiah.

Regrettably, the adoration the people showered on Jesus was not because they acknowledged Him as their Savior from sin. They welcomed Him hoping for a messianic deliverer, someone who would lead them in a rebellion against Rome. Many did not truly believe in Christ asSavior, however, hoped that He might be a significant temporal deliverer to them. These individuals are the ones who welcomed Him as King with their numerous hosannas, acknowledging Him as the Son of David who arrived in the name of the Lord. Yet, when He did not meet their expectations, when He declined to lead them in a large-scale rebellion against the Roman occupiers, the crowds quickly turned against Him. In just a few days, their hosannas would transform into shouts of “Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:20-21). Those who initially hailed Him as a hero would soon disown and forsake Him.

The account of the triumphal entry presents a series of contradictions, and these contradictions offer lessons to believers. It is the narrative of the King who arrived as a humble servant on a donkey, not a prancing steed, not in regal attire, but on the garments of the poor and meek. Jesus Christ arrives not to conquer through force like earthly monarchs, but through love, grace, mercy, and His own sacrifice for His people. His realm is not one of armies and grandeur but of humility and servitude. He does not conquer nations but hearts and minds. His proclamation is one of reconciliation with God, not of worldly peace. If Jesus has made a triumphant entrance into our hearts, He rules there in peace and love. As His disciples, we demonstrate those same attributes, and the world witnesses the true King living and reigning victoriously within us.