And when he was come near, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
at.
Luke 19:20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
Mark 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mark 14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
the whole.
Luke 7:16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Judges 5:1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
the whole multitude of disciples
This phrase indicates a large group of followers, not limited to the Twelve Apostles. It includes those who have witnessed Jesus' ministry and miracles. The term "disciples" here refers to all who have committed to following Jesus and His teachings. This multitude represents the growing recognition of Jesus as a significant figure, possibly the Messiah, by the people of Israel.
began to praise God joyfully
The act of praising God joyfully reflects the fulfillment of messianic expectations. The disciples' joy is rooted in the belief that Jesus is the promised Messiah who has come to deliver Israel. This moment is reminiscent of the joy expressed in the Psalms, such as Psalm 118:24, which speaks of rejoicing in the day the Lord has made. Their praise is an acknowledgment of God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.
in a loud voice
The loud voice signifies the intensity and sincerity of their praise. It is a public declaration of their faith and recognition of Jesus' divine authority. This public acclamation contrasts with the often private and subdued nature of worship in the temple, highlighting the spontaneous and heartfelt nature of their response to Jesus' works.
for all the miracles they had seen
The miracles performed by Jesus, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, and feeding the multitudes, serve as signs of His divine authority and messianic identity. These acts fulfill Old Testament prophecies, such as those found in Isaiah 35:5-6, which speak of the Messiah performing miraculous deeds. The disciples' praise is a direct response to these signs, affirming their belief in Jesus as the one sent by God to bring salvation.
• Jesus is coming down the very ridge Zechariah foresaw when he wrote, “His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives” (Zechariah 14:4).
• The path is intentional: from Bethany (Luke 19:29) through the Kidron Valley and up to the Eastern Gate—exactly the route the Messiah was expected to take (Ezekiel 43:1-2).
• Acts 1:11-12 later places His ascension on this same mount, hinting that His journey here is part of a larger redemptive arc: entry, departure, and promised return.
• The scene underscores Christ’s kingship. Zechariah 9:9 pictures a humble King riding in; Luke shows Jesus fulfilling that picture in real time.
• This “multitude” is bigger than the Twelve—men, women, children, recent recipients of healings, and those who witnessed them (John 12:17-18).
• Their joy springs from recognizing Jesus as the long-awaited Son of David (Psalm 118:24-26; 2 Samuel 7:12-16).
• Luke often pairs joy with the presence of Christ (Luke 2:10-14; 10:17). Here, joy explodes not in private devotion but public celebration, just as Psalm 100:4 urges, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.”
• They are not whispering polite approval; they are declaring truth at full volume, echoing Psalm 47:1, “Shout to God with a voice of triumph.”
• Public praise counters the religious leaders’ insistence on silence (Luke 19:39-40). Jesus affirms their volume by saying, “If these keep silent, the stones will cry out.”
• Worship that is vocal and unashamed models David’s dance before the ark (2 Samuel 6:14-15) and anticipates heavenly multitudes crying, “Salvation belongs to our God” (Revelation 7:10).
• Their praise is rooted in eyewitness evidence:
– Blind Bartimaeus now sees (Luke 18:35-43).
– Lazarus has walked out of the tomb (John 11:43-44).
– The lepers are cleansed (Luke 17:11-19).
• Isaiah 35:5-6 had foretold that Messiah’s coming would unstop blind eyes and make the lame leap—precisely what they have watched Him do.
• Miracles authenticate His identity (John 20:30-31) and awaken gratitude that overflows into worship. Their shouts declare, in effect, “We have tasted and seen that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8).
Luke 19:37 captures the Messiah’s deliberate descent from the Mount of Olives, surrounded by a swelling crowd of disciples who cannot keep silent. Grounded in fulfilled prophecy, stirred by undeniable miracles, and filled with irrepressible joy, they lift loud praise that acknowledges Jesus as the promised King. Their example invites us to remember His works, trust His Word, and join the chorus that exalts Him openly and gladly.
(37) The descent of the mount of Olives.--The Greek word for "descent" is not used by any other New Testament writer. As being a technical geographical word, it was one that might naturally be used by one who may have been a pupil of Strabo, or a student of his works. (See Introduction.)To praise God.--The Greek verb is another instance of a word used by St. Luke (seven times) and St. Paul (twice), and by them only in the New Testament.
All the mighty works . . .--Literally, powers, and so works of power. The words probably refer to the recent miracle at Jericho (Luke 18:35-43; Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52), and, as interpreted by St. John's Gospel, the recent raising of Lazarus.
Verse 37. - At the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen. At this point on the Bethany road the city of Jerusalem comes into view. Here a crowd of pilgrims to the Passover Feast, many of whom were well acquainted with Jesus, came out to meet and welcome him with their branches of palm. These joined his friends who accompanied him from Bethany. This enthusiasm was excited among the Passover pilgrims in great measure owing to the report which by this time had got abroad of the raising of Lazarus (see John 12:17, 18). Many had already gone out from the city to Bethany to see Jesus and Lazarus. Of the Messianic shouts of welcome which sounded in the crowd, St. Luke does not mention the "Hosanna!" of St. Matthew, no doubt because this peculiar Hebrew cry would not have conveyed any meaning to the Gentile readers to whom his story was especially addressed. The two incidents which follow - the crying out of the stones, and the weeping of the Master over his beautiful doomed city (vers. 39-44) - occur only in St. Luke. His source of information here was evidently quite different to the other two synoptists or St. John.