Matthew 21:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

NIV: A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

NASB: Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road.

CSB: A very large crowd spread their clothes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road.

NLT: Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

KJV: And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

NKJV: And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

This is the moment celebrated in Christian churches on Palm Sunday: Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem at the beginning of what is often called Holy Week or Passion Week. This is also referred to as the "triumphal entry" of Christ.

Jesus has been telling His disciples that He is going to Jerusalem to be arrested, condemned, crucified, and then raised on the third day (Matthew 17:22–23). When they finally reach the city, however, Jesus enters to cheers and celebration from the people. Matthew has mentioned that a large crowd was following Jesus as He passed through Jericho on His way toward the city (Matthew 20:29). Now that crowd, perhaps along with others who know Jesus as the healer and miracle worker and "prophet" (Matthew 21:11), spread their outer cloaks on the road before Him as He rides into town and throw palm branches in front of His path along the way. This is a profound act of honor and acclamation.

It's true that those who made the journey from other parts of Israel to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration were sometimes greeted in this way. However, these acts of submission and praise are clearly and specifically directed at Jesus alone. The city is stirred up over Him (Matthew 21:10). The crowd will explicitly refer to Jesus' role as Messiah as they cry out (Matthew 21:9).

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey specifically to fulfill Zechariah's prophecy about the coming of the king of Israel (Zechariah 9:9). Placing outer garments under the feet of the king was a sign of respect and submission (2 Kings 9:13). Branches, especially palm branches, were a symbol of Israel and her victories in the past. It's likely that not everyone who participated knew fully what was going on, but they welcomed Jesus as if welcoming a king.

Matthew 21:1–11 follows Jesus on His final, "triumphal" entry into Jerusalem. He rides on a donkey for the final mile or so to intentionally fulfill a prophecy from Zechariah about the king arriving in Jerusalem. The crowds praise Him as the Messiah, lining His path with branches and their cloaks. They shout out, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" as seen in Psalm 118. The event we now call Palm Sunday stirs up Jerusalem with many people asking who Jesus is.

Jesus fulfills a prophecy from Zechariah about the coming of the king to Jerusalem by riding in on a donkey. The people celebrate and praise Him as the Messiah. Jesus drives the marketers and moneychangers out of the temple and heals some people. He curses a fig tree and tells the disciples nothing will be impossible for them with faith. Jesus forces cowardly and hypocritical religious leaders to back down with a question about John the Baptist. He then exposes their fraudulent spirituality with two parables about vineyards. Jesus applies to Himself a psalm about a rejected stone being made the cornerstone by the Lord.

Matthew 21 finds Jesus arriving near Jerusalem after leaving Jericho in the previous chapter. His triumphal entry is accomplished riding a donkey, and to raucous praise, fulfilling a prophecy about the Messiah. Jesus cleanses the marketplace from the temple, heals, and presents lessons about faith and Israel's failed leadership. This leads into further conversations which Matthew compiles from Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.