They
took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”
John 12:13
John 12 [9.] A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there, and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
John 12 [12.] On the next day a great multitude had come to the feast. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”
John 12 [14.] Jesus, having found a young donkey, sat on it. As it is written, “Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples didn’t understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him. The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, was testifying about it. For this cause also the multitude went and met him, because they heard that he had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him.”
Meaning:
It was the week of Passover, and Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims. Jesus had recently raised Lazarus from the dead at Bethany, and the news had spread; many came to see Lazarus too (see the Context above). When the great crowd heard that Jesus was coming to the city, they went out to welcome him. All four Gospels tell of this entry, but John alone mentions the palm branches.
- “They took the branches of the palm trees”
Palm branches were a sign of joy and victory. They were carried at the Feast of Tabernacles, and in Jewish memory they recalled the welcome given to national heroes who had freed the land from foreign rulers. Waving palms, the crowd was hailing Jesus as a victorious deliverer. Mark describes the same scene: “others were cutting down branches from the trees, and spreading them on the road” (Mark 11:8).
- “And went out to meet him”
Going out of the city to meet an arriving dignitary and escort him in was the customary way of honouring a king or governor. The people were giving Jesus a royal reception.
- “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”
The crowd sang words from Psalm 118, one of the psalms sung at the great festivals: “Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now. Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name!” (Psalm 118:25-26). “Hosanna” means “save us now”. They were crying to God for salvation and greeting Jesus as the one sent by God to bring it (Mark 11:9-10).
- “The King of Israel!”
John notes that Jesus deliberately rode on a young donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy of a lowly King (Zechariah 9:9). Many in the crowd hoped for a political king. Earlier, when people wanted to take him by force “to make him king”, he had withdrawn (John 6:15). Within days the title would be written over his cross: “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John 19:19). He was indeed the King of Israel, but his victory would be won by dying and rising again.
The Significance of John 12:13
- Welcome Jesus as King
The crowd’s cry is the right response to Jesus: he is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, and he alone can save.
- Praise that lasts
Some who shouted “Hosanna” soon turned away. True faith keeps honouring Jesus when his path leads to the cross.
Cross-References:
Psalm 118:26: "Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name! We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house." The psalm the crowd sang.
Mark 11:9: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" Mark’s account of the welcome.
John 19:19: "JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS." The King’s title on the cross.
Conclusion: As Jesus approached Jerusalem for Passover, a great crowd took palm branches, signs of victory, and went out to meet him like a king, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” Their words came from Psalm 118 and their hopes were often political, but Jesus came as the lowly King of Zechariah’s prophecy, whose kingship would be revealed on the cross.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible