Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that comes in the name of the Lord.
branches.
Leviticus 23:40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Hosanna.
Psalm 72:17-19 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed…
Psalm 118:25,26 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity…
Matthew 21:9-11 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…
the King.
John 12:15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
John 19:15,19-22 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar…
and went out to meet Him
The act of going out to meet Jesus indicates the people's eagerness and anticipation. This was a common practice for welcoming a dignitary or king, suggesting that the crowd viewed Jesus as a significant leader or messianic figure. This event took place as Jesus was entering Jerusalem, a city of great religious and political importance.
shouting: “Hosanna!”
"Hosanna" is a Hebrew expression meaning "Save, please" or "Save now," which over time became an exclamation of praise. The crowd's use of this term reflects their hope for deliverance and salvation, possibly expecting Jesus to liberate them from Roman rule. This echoes Psalm 118:25-26, a messianic psalm recited during the Feast of Tabernacles.
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
This phrase is a direct quotation from Psalm 118:26, a psalm associated with messianic expectations. By proclaiming this blessing, the crowd acknowledges Jesus as one sent by God, fulfilling the role of the awaited Messiah. This declaration aligns with Jewish hopes for a divinely appointed leader who would restore Israel.
“Blessed is the King of Israel!”
The title "King of Israel" underscores the crowd's recognition of Jesus as a royal figure, possibly the promised descendant of David who would establish God's kingdom. This acclamation reflects the messianic expectations of a political and national deliverer. However, Jesus' kingship is ultimately spiritual, as He later clarifies to Pilate (John 18:36). This moment foreshadows the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah's reign.
• Palm branches symbolized joy, victory, and righteous celebration (Leviticus 23:40; Revelation 7:9).
• In every Gospel account of the triumphal entry the crowd lays branches or cloaks before Jesus (Matthew 21:8; Mark 11:8; Luke 19:36), welcoming Him as conquering King.
• The people physically move toward Jesus, not waiting for Him to arrive. Their action pictures the proper response to God’s coming—actively seeking and honoring Him (James 4:8).
• This literal scene confirms Zechariah 9:9, where Zion is called to rejoice as her King comes “righteous and victorious.”
• “Hosanna” is the cry of Psalm 118:25—“Save us, we pray, O LORD.” By the first century it carried both the plea “save now” and the praise “salvation is here.”
• The crowd acknowledges Jesus as the long-promised Savior (Matthew 1:21) who alone can deliver from sin and death (Acts 4:12).
• Their loud, unified shout fulfills the prophetic expectation that Messiah would be publicly acclaimed (Luke 19:37-40).
• Direct quotation of Psalm 118:26, part of the Hallel sung at Passover; the words were originally spoken over pilgrims entering Jerusalem, now directed to Jesus, the true Passover Lamb (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).
• “In the name of the Lord” affirms that Jesus acts with divine authority (John 5:43; 8:42).
• By blessing Him, the crowd is fulfilling prophecy that nations and Israel alike will welcome God’s Anointed (Isaiah 55:4-5).
• The title “King of Israel” openly proclaims Jesus as the promised Son of David (2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 9:6-7).
• Nathanael had used the same confession at the beginning of the Gospel (John 1:49), and now the multitude echoes it, highlighting growing recognition of Jesus’ identity.
• Zechariah 9:9 pictures Zion’s King arriving “gentle and riding on a donkey”; John immediately notes Jesus seated on a young donkey (John 12:14-15), linking the crowd’s words to prophetic fulfillment.
John 12:13 portrays Israel joyfully welcoming Jesus as Savior and King. Palm branches declare victory, “Hosanna” pleads for and celebrates salvation, Psalm 118 affirms divine commissioning, and the final acclamation crowns Him as David’s royal heir. The verse unites prophecy, praise, and public acknowledgment, showing Jesus literally entering Jerusalem as the long-awaited Messiah who brings God’s promised redemption.
(13) Took branches of palm trees.--Better, took branches of the palm trees. Literally, the Greek means "the palm branches of the palm trees." They were branches of the palms growing on the spot, or possibly such as were in general use at festivities. For the word rendered "branches," comp. 1 Maccabees 13:51 ("branches of palm trees"), and for that rendered "palm trees," comp. Revelation 7:9. Neither word occurs elsewhere in the New Testament. Again, the fuller Synoptic narrative includes but does not state this particular.Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.--The better reading is, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, and the King of Israel. These words of their cry are peculiar to St. John. The fullest report is St. Matthew's (see Note on John 12:9). That all the accounts differ is natural, and they have all preserved to us some distinctive acclamation with which the crowds welcomed Him whom they received as the Messiah. The 118th Psalm, from which these acclamations are taken (see John 12:25-26), was currently interpreted as Messianic, and formed part of the Hallel chanted at Tabernacles and Passover. (Comp. Note on John 7:37.) . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...