Key Scripture Readings: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19
Fast Facts
- As Jesus approached Jerusalem from Bethany, He sent two disciples into a nearby village to get a colt that had never been ridden. If anyone asked them questions about what they were doing, they were to say, “The Lord has need of it.”
- The disciples did as Jesus said and brought the colt to Jesus (Mark 11:4-6). Once they got back to Him, they placed their garments on the colt’s back for padding, and Jesus sat on it.
- Jesus then rode the colt into Jerusalem. His actions fulfilled the words of the prophets (Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9).
- Many people met Jesus when He entered the city and praised Him. They spread their coats in the road (others had spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields), and they shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest” (Mark 11:9-10).
- Many in the multitude this day were those who were with Jesus when Lazarus rose from the dead (John 11:17-18).
- The crowds accompanied Jesus from the Mount of Olives to the city itself.
- The Pharisees were angered to see so many people praising Jesus as He entered the city (John 12:19). They grumbled over what was transpiring. They told Jesus to rebuke His disciples for praising Him. Jesus answered them by saying, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40).
- As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He wept over it (Luke 19:41-44). He knew God’s judgment would soon come upon her.
- That evening, Jesus observed the inside of the temple and then went back to Bethany with the twelve to spend the night (Mark 11:11).
Study Questions
- Who did Jesus send to get the colt? What explanation were they to give if people questioned what they were doing?
- Where did these disciples find the colt?
- What did the disciples do to the colt before Jesus sat on it? Why?
- How did many of the people respond when they saw Jesus riding on the colt? Why were they responding to Him in this way?
- Who all composed of the multitude praising Jesus as He traveled from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem?
- How did the Pharisees react to what the people were doing? Why?
- What does Hosanna mean (See Psalm 118:25-26)?
- What did Jesus do when He approached Jerusalem? Why did He do this?
- Where did Jesus go upon entering the city that day? Where did He return to that night?
