Jesus Rides into Jerusalem
The people welcome their Savior
It was almost time for the Passover, an important feast for the Jews. Many people went to Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus and His disciples went too. When the people heard that Jesus was coming, they went to meet Him.
When Jesus and His disciples got close to Jerusalem, He asked them to bring a donkey to Him. Many years earlier, a prophet had said that the Savior would come humbly, riding on a young donkey.
Matthew 21:1–7; see also Zechariah 9:9
Jesus entered the city riding on the donkey. The people were very happy to see Him. They welcomed Him like a king. They put palm branches and clothes on the ground for the donkey to walk on. They thanked God and shouted, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
Matthew 21:8–9; Luke 19:36–38; John 12:13
Many people in Jerusalem wondered what was happening. “Who is this?” they asked. Others answered that it was Jesus of Nazareth.
Next, Jesus went to the temple. Some people there were exchanging money and selling animals to be sacrificed. Jesus knew they were being dishonest.
Jesus did not like that they were making money from people who wanted to worship in the temple. He made them leave the temple and knocked their tables over. He said, “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”
Matthew 21:12–13; see also Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11
People who were blind or who couldn’t walk came to Jesus in the temple, and He healed them. Children called out “Hosanna,” praising Jesus and saying that He was the Savior.
Some of the priests and scribes were upset when they saw what Jesus did and heard what the children were saying. Jesus reminded them about a scripture that says God would make perfect praise come from the mouths of children.
Matthew 21:15–16; see also Psalm 8:2