New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 21:9

The King Enters

The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 21:9, in plain English

The crowds in front and behind are shouting: 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!'

Why it's here

Hosanna means 'save us!' They're quoting a psalm they've sung for generations, and now they see it happening in front of them.

Who's speaking

The people erupt in praise, quoting ancient words that suddenly feel brand new.

Where it sits in the story

Centuries of hope pour out in one moment. The crowd is singing the words their ancestors sang, and now those words have a face.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

The crowds shout 'Hosanna' (hōsanna, from Hebrew hōshīʿāh nāʾ, 'save now') and quote Psalm 118:26 — a pilgrim psalm with messianic overtones, declaring Jesus as the Blessed One who comes in the Lord's name.

Language and setting

Psalm 118 was sung during Sukkot and Passover festivals; 'Hosanna in the highest' appeals to heaven itself to join the acclamation.

Voice

The crowds before and behind Jesus shout messianic acclamations from the Psalms.

Significance

The crowd's cry blends desperate plea and joyful praise, recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's deepest hopes.

In context

Matthew 21:7–11

7They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.

8A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

9The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

10When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Read all of Matthew 21 — Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds shout hosanna. Within hours, he's overturning tables in the temple.

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