"Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." — Matthew 21:9 (KJV)
The short answer
Palm Sunday remembers the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while crowds spread palm branches and cried "Hosanna." The Bible records it in all four Gospels as the humble King coming in fulfillment of prophecy — anchored in Matthew 21:8-9 and Zechariah 9:9.
"Palm Sunday" is the church's name for an event the Bible describes with striking detail: the day Jesus entered Jerusalem to the cheers of a great crowd, just days before the cross. It is the only time in His ministry that Jesus welcomed a public, royal reception — and He did it riding a borrowed donkey, not a war horse. Every part of it was chosen to fulfill ancient prophecy and to reveal what kind of King He is. Below are eight passages, quoted exactly from the King James Version, that carry us through that day, from the shouts of the crowd to the tears of the King.
What happened on Palm Sunday?
The scene is one of joyful welcome. People lined the road, laying down their own garments and cut branches to honor the one they hailed as the Son of David.
"And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." — Matthew 21:8-9 (KJV)
To "spread their garments in the way" was to roll out a royal welcome. Their cry, "Hosanna," means "save now" — a plea and a praise at once, addressed to the promised "Son of David" coming "in the name of the Lord."
Why did the crowds wave palm branches?
John's Gospel gives us the palms that name the day. Branches were a sign of celebration and of victory, and the crowd wielded them to greet a King.
"On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." — John 12:12-13 (KJV)
They "took branches of palm trees" and went out "to meet him," openly hailing Him "the King of Israel." For one shining moment the city welcomed its rightful King — though few understood the throne He was heading toward was a cross.
Was the triumphal entry foretold?
Nothing about this day was improvised. The manner of the King's coming, and the very words the crowd shouted, had been written centuries before.
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." — Zechariah 9:9 (KJV)
The prophecy is exact: the King comes "lowly, and riding upon an ass." He is "just, and having salvation" — not a warlord seizing power, but a Saviour bringing peace. Jesus chose the donkey to say plainly who He was.
"Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD." — Psalm 118:26 (KJV)
The crowd's cry echoed this ancient psalm of welcome. Whether they knew it or not, they were greeting Jesus with the very words Scripture had appointed for the coming Messiah.
What did the crowds shout as Jesus entered?
Luke and Mark preserve more of the crowd's praise. Their words reach beyond the streets of Jerusalem to heaven itself.
"Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." — Luke 19:38 (KJV)
"Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest" — the same notes the angels sang at His birth now rise from the crowd at His entry. The One announced in Bethlehem is being welcomed as King in Jerusalem.
"And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest." — Mark 11:9-10 (KJV)
Those before Him and behind Him took up the cry. They longed for "the kingdom of our father David" — and it was arriving, though not in the political form many expected.
Why did Jesus weep over the city?
Amid the cheering, Jesus alone saw what was coming. The crowds hailed a King; He wept for a city that would soon reject Him.
"And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it," — Luke 19:41 (KJV)
The King who could have received their praise instead grieved for them. His tears reveal a heart moved not by triumph but by love for people who did not know "the things which belong unto their peace."
"And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." — Matthew 21:11 (KJV)
The crowd could name Him "the prophet of Nazareth," yet many missed who He truly was. Palm Sunday asks each of us the deeper question: do we welcome Him only as a wonder, or as the King and Saviour He came to be?
Frequently asked questions
What is Palm Sunday in the Bible?
Palm Sunday is the church's name for the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, a few days before His crucifixion. All four Gospels record it. Crowds spread their garments and cut down branches, and cried, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord (Matthew 21:9, KJV). John 12:13 tells us they took branches of palm trees, which is where the name Palm Sunday comes from. It marks the beginning of the final week of Jesus' earthly life.
Why did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey?
Jesus rode a donkey to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass (KJV). A conquering general would enter on a war horse, but Jesus came in humility, as a King of peace bringing salvation. The choice was deliberate and prophetic, presenting Him as the promised Messiah who saves not by force but by laying down His own life.
"Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass." — Matthew 21:5 (KJV)
Take it deeper
These verses are a beginning, not the whole of what God says about the King who came to Jerusalem. FlickerFaith is a Scripture-first study companion — open it to read the triumphal entry in full context, compare the account across all four Gospels, pray through what it means to welcome Jesus as King, and ask honest questions about the week that led to the cross. It keeps you close to the Word, not away from it.
Keep reading
The road from Palm Sunday leads to Easter and the resurrection. Meet the King himself in who is Jesus Christ?, and go back to where His story began at Christmas and the birth of Jesus. You can also browse all Bible topics or return home.