Luke 19:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

NIV: After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

NASB: After Jesus said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

CSB: When he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

NLT: After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples.

KJV: And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

NKJV: When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

This is a summary statement for the next large section, sometimes referred to as the "presentation of Jesus in Jerusalem" (Luke 19:28—21:38). The previous section, sometimes called the "travelogue to Jerusalem," began, "When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). During the travelogue, Jesus prepared His disciples for His death, resurrection, and ascension as well as for their commission to go on and build the church. Now, His arrival is imminent.

For Jesus, the road to Jerusalem has included miracles, parables, acceptance, and rejection. The week ahead will be eventful. First, a great crowd will accompany Him up the hill to the Temple Mount, crying His praises as king (Luke 19:36–38). But along the way, Jesus will catch sight of the city of Jerusalem and weep over its coming destruction by the Romans (Luke 19:41–44). Next, He will enter the temple courts and find them filled with merchants and venders hawking items visitors need for the Passover in the area reserved for faithful Gentiles (Luke 19:45–46).

The days will continue with Jesus arguing with the religious leaders. Women will anoint Him for His death. Jesus will take time to reinforce to His disciples that a spiritual war is coming. They need to be prepared and keep their eyes on God and His coming deliverance (Luke 21:5–38). And then, Luke records the Last Supper and the cross.

"These things" are in the same theme. Jesus had just told the parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11–27). The Jews will have all the information they need to decide if He is their Messiah. Only those who commit to Him will live in His kingdom.

Luke 19:28–40 is the account of the triumphal entry when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for His final Passover. Jesus presents Himself as the King of the Jews, challenging His followers, the religious leaders, and the many celebrants to choose whether to accept or reject Him. The triumphal entry is the first passage in the so-called "presentation of Jesus in Jerusalem" (Luke 19:28—21:38) where Jesus declares His authority (Luke 19:28—21:4) and reveals the future (Luke 21:5–38). The triumphal entry is one of the few events recorded in every Gospel (Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; John 12:12–15).

Jesus approaches Jerusalem by way of Jericho. Along the road, he encounters Zacchaeus: an unusually short man and infamous tax collector. Zacchaeus responds to Jesus' invitation and demonstrates humility and repentance. Jesus gives a parable explaining a believer's obligation to encourage the spread of the gospel. Jesus enters Jerusalem to great fanfare, upsetting local Pharisees. As He rides, Jesus weeps to think of the future destruction in store for the city. He once again drives corrupt businessmen from the temple grounds. His enemies are furious, but too afraid of the adoring crowds to take direct action.

Luke 19 finishes the "travelogue of Christ to Jerusalem" and introduces His first actions there (Luke 9:51—19:27). This long passage semi-chronologically records Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and the theological reasons why He must go to the cross. It finishes here, in this chapter, with Jesus meeting Zacchaeus and the parable of the ten minas. The chapter continues with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as its king—the triumphal entry. Jesus mourns over Jerusalem, its rejection of their Messiah, and its coming destruction in AD 70. He also cleanses the temple and teaches there. In the next segments, Luke covers the last hours of Jesus' earthly life (Luke 22—23) as well as Jesus' resurrection (Luke 24).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.