Luke 19:36 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.

NIV: As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

NASB: Now as He was going, they were spreading their cloaks on the road.

CSB: As he was going along, they were spreading their clothes on the road.

NLT: As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him.

KJV: And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

NKJV: And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.

Jesus is entering Jerusalem like a peaceful king. He rides a donkey, like Zechariah 9:9 prophesied:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Donkeys are excellent for work, but terrible for war. Warlords would be expected to sit on a horse to show their power, as a modern victor might pose atop a tank or armored transport. Jesus' entry is like a man sitting in the back of a small pickup truck: reflecting humility and peace, rather than conquest.

The disciples have placed their cloaks on the donkey (Luke 19:35), and the people put their robes on the ground the donkey walks on, much like the men who affirmed Jehu's reign in 2 Kings 9:13: "Then in haste every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps, and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, 'Jehu is king.'"

In addition, they take palm fronds to cover the path (John 12:13) and paraphrase Psalm 118:26, shouting, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Luke 19:38).

Luke identifies the people as "they," inferring the disciples which are the main group in the passage. Matthew has "most of the crowd" and Mark has "many" (Matthew 21:8; Mark 11:8). The crowd of disciples is much more than just the Twelve. Luke 10:1 mentions seventy-two. Likely, many more followed Jesus from Galilee (Luke 18:36) and even more locals followed Him after He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:45).

We don't know why Luke doesn't mention the palm leaves, as the other Gospel writers do. It's possible Theophilus (Luke 1:1–4) would be unfamiliar with the custom, and so Luke left it out.

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.