What is the meaning of Matthew 21:9? The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting • Jerusalem is swelling with Passover pilgrims (John 12:12), so the scene is packed. • Some walk in front of Jesus and others behind, forming a royal procession (Mark 11:9–10). This double line of worshipers shows unified excitement: everyone wants to be near the King. • Zechariah 9:9 foretold Israel’s King coming “gentle and riding on a donkey.” By surrounding Jesus, the crowd unconsciously mirrors that prophecy and publicly acknowledges Him as Messiah. • Luke 19:37–38 records that they began praising God “for all the miracles they had seen,” so their praise is rooted in concrete evidence—blind eyes opened, lepers cleansed, even Lazarus raised (John 12:17–18). • The scene contrasts earlier moments when Jesus often told people to keep quiet (Matthew 12:16). Now the time for silence is over; public proclamation takes center stage. “Hosanna to the Son of David!” • “Hosanna” started as a plea—“Save us, please!”—and became a shout of jubilation (Psalm 118:25). The crowd blends both ideas: “Save us, and we celebrate that You can!” • Calling Jesus “Son of David” pins a clear target on His identity: the promised heir to David’s throne (2 Samuel 7:12–13; Isaiah 9:7). • Earlier, two blind men cried the same title and received sight (Matthew 20:30–34). Now thousands echo it, signaling their hope for national and personal salvation. • By accepting the title, Jesus openly embraces His royal lineage (Matthew 1:1) and Kingdom mission (Matthew 12:23). “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” • This is a direct lift from Psalm 118:26, a psalm sung by pilgrims entering the temple. The crowd now greets Jesus with the same words, recognizing Him as the ultimate Pilgrim-King entering His city. • “In the name of the Lord” stresses divine authorization; Jesus is not a self-appointed leader but the Father’s commissioned Savior (John 5:43). • Earlier, He lamented that Jerusalem would later refuse Him (Luke 13:35), yet for this moment the city’s gates swing wide in blessing. • This blessing also foreshadows future praise when Israel will again say these words at His return (Matthew 23:39). “Hosanna in the highest!” • The shout now lifts from earth to heaven: “Save us, O God, from the highest realms!” It is both plea and praise directed to God above, acknowledging that salvation originates there. • Angels once proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest” at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:14); now people on earth echo heaven’s choir, uniting heaven and earth in adoration. • Psalm 148:1 calls on all “in the heights” to praise the Lord—here the crowd joins that cosmic chorus. • The phrase points beyond political hopes; only heaven’s intervention can bring the ultimate rescue from sin that Jesus will secure at the cross (John 12:32). summary Matthew 21:9 captures the jubilant moment when Israel publicly recognizes Jesus as the promised King. The crowd’s position around Him shows eager allegiance; their triple shout affirms His royal lineage, divine mission, and heavenly authority. Prophecy, praise, and plea intertwine, revealing hearts that long for salvation and a Savior fully able to grant it. |
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