Jesus’ Three Entries Into Jerusalem!

from Google Images

Matthew 21:1-17 records Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem just before he was crucified. We need to take a close look at what Matthew says. Verses 1-9 record that Jesus approached Jerusalem from Jericho (Matthew 20:29), and He sent two disciples into a nearby village, Bethany (Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29) to find an ass and her colt, upon whom no man had ever sat, and bring them to him.[1] Their use had probably been prearranged with their owner just after Christ raised up Lazarus.[2] Next, Christ sat on the colt and the small crowd of disciples went before and behind Him laying their clothes and palm branches in his path and crying out: “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.” The entire city was moved (v.10) and wondered who Jesus was, and the disciples had to tell them (v.11). Jesus entered the Temple area and cast out those who bought and sold (v.12), declaring that they had defiled the House of God, which should have been a House of Prayer (v.13). Afterward, he healed the blind and the lame (v.14), and apparently the disciples continued to chant “hosanna” to him, because (v.15) the chief priests were displeased and told Jesus so, though they witnessed his miracles (v.16). Jesus, however, told them that praise is perfected in the hearts of babes. He then left for Bethany (v.17). Upon his return to Jerusalem (Matthew 21:18), Jesus was hungry and desired fruit from a fig tree. When he found none on the tree, he cursed it and soon it withered and died (v.19).