SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 21:1-11
As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. He sent two disciples ahead to borrow a donkey and her colt. This fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 that the king will come riding on a donkey. The disciples brought the donkey and colt and placed their cloaks on them. Jesus sat on them. A crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches and put them on the road.
The crowds shouted, “Hosannah,” or “save” in Hebrew. Jesus entered Jerusalem, and the crowds proclaimed him as he entered.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 4: Matthew 21:1-11
10a) That Jesus knew ahead of time what others would ask so he told the disciples what to say.
b) This fulfills prophecy
11a) The crowds: A crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches and put them on the road. The crowds shouted, “Hosannah,” or “save” in Hebrew. They understood who Jesus was, and the crowds proclaimed him as he entered.
The disciples: We are not told what the disciples were doing when Jesus enters Jerusalem. Presumably walking by his side.
b) Jesus comes humble on a donkey. He makes no fanfare of his own. He goes to his destiny willingly.
12) I love how every moment is choreographed like an exquisite dance. Jesus is the center in a simple, powerful way.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 4: Matthew 21:1-11
The crowds here make this scene powerful. It’s as if most everyone realizes what a moment this is.
Insanely good movie.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 4: Matthew 21:1-11
Jesus enters Jerusalm publically, embracing what is to come.
Jesus rode on the colt. Mark and Luke tell us the colt had never been ridden. (Mark 11:2) Yet, it is calm. The mother helps.
Jesus is fulfilling every bit of prophecy. (Daniel 9:24-27).
A colt is what royalty rode in ancient times. Judges 10:4; 12:14. However, recently, royalthy had switched to riding horses, and donkeys had transitioned to creatures of burden by Jesus’s time.
The laying of clothes and branches is honoring Jesus and recognizing who he was.
Palms and branches wer ea symbol of victory and success. 1 Maccabees 13:51; 2 Maccabees 10:7; and Revelation 7:9
Hosanna is the crowd looking to Jesus to save them. We see this elsewhere in the Bible towards kings. 2 Samuel 14:4 and 2 Kings 6:26
We missed Jesus’s weaping over Jerusalem, as this was only reported in Luke (Luke 19:41-44).
Ironic that these same people who were begging for Jesus to save them would in a mere five days condemn him to death. Man is so fickle.
Note Jesus is still called “Jesus of Nazareth.” (Matthew 2:23).
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