Jesus Enters Jerusalem on a Donkey

As Jesus came close to Jerusalem, near Bethsphage and Bethany by the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. He told them they would find a donkey and its colt, while the other accounts focus on the colt. They were to untie the animal and bring it, saying that the Lord needed it.

The two disciples found everything just as Jesus had said. When people asked why they were untying the colt, they gave the answer Jesus had told them, and they were allowed to take it. They brought it to Jesus, placed their cloaks on it, and he sat on it.

This happened in keeping with the prophet's words about Zion's king coming humbly, riding on a donkey's colt. As Jesus went along, people spread cloaks on the road, and others spread branches. In John's account, the crowd coming for the feast went out to meet him with palm branches.

The crowds in front and behind called out with joy. They blessed the one who came in the Lord's name, calling him king and speaking of David's kingdom. Luke says the whole multitude of the disciples praised God loudly for the mighty works they had seen. Some Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke them, but he answered that if they were silent, the stones would cry out.

As Jesus came near the city, he wept over Jerusalem. He spoke sadly of the peace they had not recognised and warned that days of siege and destruction would come. Then, when he entered Jerusalem, the city was stirred and people asked who he was. The crowd said he was Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.

Jesus went into the temple in Jerusalem and looked around at everything. Since it was already evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. John's Gospel adds that many people were talking about the sign of Lazarus being raised, and the Pharisees were troubled by the size of the crowd.