And when he was now coming near the descent of Mount Olivet, the whole multitude of his disciples began with joy to praise God with a loud voice, for all the mighty works they had seen,
εγγιζοντος δε αυτου ηδη προς τη καταβασει του ορους των ελαιων ηρξαντο απαν το πληθος των μαθητων χαιροντες αινειν τον θεον φωνη μεγαλη περι πασων ων ειδον δυναμεων
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 10 commentaries
When Luke mentions that 'all the multitude of the disciples' gave glory to God, he is speaking about all those who followed Jesus, not limited to just the twelve apostles or the seventy others, but including all individuals drawn to Him, whether out of a need for miracles or a genuine interest in His teachings. Notably, children were a prominent part of this group, as noted by other Gospel writers (Matthew 21:15).
Christ rode on a young donkey; as He descended from the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem, His disciples went ahead of Him, extolling His name. They were called to testify to the extraordinary deeds He had performed, reflecting His divine majesty and authority. Likewise, we ought to continually glorify Him, recalling the greatness of the One we honor. Furthermore, another sacred writer notes that children waved palm branches and joined in celebrating His glory alongside the disciples, symbolizing the new nation gathered from among the Gentiles. As it is written, “the nation that will be established will praise the Lord.”
The crowd honored Jesus Christ as He rode on a donkey, and as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, it was clear that His disciples went ahead of Him, shouting praises. They gathered to commemorate His wondrous deeds and to proclaim His glory and power, which are appropriate for God. Therefore, I assert that we too should continually exalt Him, reflecting on His nature and the greatness of the One we honor. Another Evangelist also recounts how children waved palm branches, running ahead of Him and joining the disciples in their acclamation.
It is remarkable that in the Gospel of Luke, a great crowd gathers at the base of the mountain, offering praise to God and affirming the arrival from heaven of the one who fulfills the divine mystery. They acknowledge Him as God, refer to Him as King, and proclaim the prophetic words, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’ (Matthew 21:9, 15), declaring that the long-awaited Son of David has come in the flesh as the Deliverer of David's lineage. Yet they prepare to condemn Him to death. This truly is a profound act of divine will. They pronounce judgment upon Him unwittingly, and despite lacking recognition in their hearts, they confess Him as God.
The Lord's response is unequivocal: If they do not speak, the stones will cry out (Luke 19:40). It is not surprising that, against their very nature, the stones would offer praise to the Lord, while those who crucify Him, hardened like the very rocks, declare Him. Following the Lord's suffering, one might expect silence from the Jews, but those whom Peter describes as living stones are meant to cry out (see 1 Peter 2:5). Thus, we observe that the crowd, although torn by mixed emotions, accompanies God to His temple with their praises.
For the wonders they witnessed during that period. It is indeed a marvel that the Lord prophesied concerning the donkey and its owners, that the donkey moved forward in an orderly manner without being restrained, and that the crowds were inspired to such reverence and immense acclaim, among other things.
In essence, this entire act by the Savior served as a response for many to the inquiry, ‘Is He the Messiah?’ From that moment, it became clear that He intended to reveal Himself to the people in this manner. However, He aimed to embody the Messiahship not in the conventional understanding of the term. Thus, He graciously accepted all expressions of joy, even as His modest demeanor helped moderate the fervor of the eager crowd. Upon seeing the Lord seated upon a donkey, the people interpreted it as a symbol of His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, filling the air with jubilant shouts: Hosanna, meaning salvation to Him, the Son of David. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest (from Psalm 117:25, which was recited at the Passover Feast and foretold aspects of the coming Messiah).
As the procession neared the descent of the mountain, the resplendent sight of Jerusalem ignited a unique surge of joy among the throngs following Jesus. The anticipation of the moment when the long-expected Redeemer would enter Zion as Israel's Sovereign filled the crowd of thousands with heartfelt praise directed at God for the wonders wrought by Jesus: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Lk. 19:38). Archbishop Theophylact interprets these final words to signify the completion of the previously existing hostility between humanity and God.
Once, there was no earthly King-God; however, with God's presence among us, there emerges true peace in heaven, resulting in glory from on high, as the angels praise the unity and reconciliation brought forth by the King-God who rides humbly on a donkey.
At that time, Jerusalem was teeming with multitudes of Jews who had gathered to celebrate the Passover festival. Among them were witnesses of Lazarus's resurrection, awestruck by the miracle they had seen and compelled to share the news. They boldly proclaimed that Jesus had brought Lazarus back from the grave. This remarkable story spread rapidly throughout the city, and as the people spotted Jesus descending from the mountain, they rushed out to welcome Him with palm branches. Filled with unwavering faith that their long-anticipated salvation had finally arrived, they believed the Son of David would soon reveal Himself as Israel's King and liberate them from Roman oppression. Their voices erupted in jubilant cries: “Salvation! Salvation! Blessed is our King coming in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” The term Hosanna signifies salvation; it was a joyous exclamation used by the Jews during significant celebrations, reminiscent of our own "hurrah." Consequently, the phrase “Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9) conveys a wish for joyful acclamations to resonate not just on Earth but also in the heights of heaven, where God resides.
As the procession began, the disciples and the crowd surrounding them were filled with overwhelming joy. In an expression of their ecstatic praise for their Lord, the apostles exclaimed, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” from Psalm 117:25. The cry of “Hosanna—‘Save us’—Hosanna in the highest!” resonated within the crowd, which had heard the news of His miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead. The path ascended gently up the Mount of Olives, weaving through lush fields and shaded groves, and at its peak, it sharply turned northward. It was here that the breathtaking view of Jerusalem, previously concealed by a ridge, was unveiled for the first time.
In the bright atmosphere, the city renowned for its historical significance emerged from the surrounding valley, with the morning sun sparkling on the marble towers and gilded roofs of the temples, creating a dazzling spectacle that prompted many to shield their eyes. The sight of this magnificent city was truly awe-inspiring, causing numerous Jewish and Gentile travelers to halt their horses and gaze in silent admiration. During that era, Jerusalem, adorned with majestic towers, was celebrated as one of the wonders of the world, presenting a stunning display that is unmatched by the city today. And now, in all its glory, this city was revealed to Christ, its rightful Sovereign!
The account of the Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem aligns seamlessly with the narratives found in Matthew and Mark. However, Luke enriches the story with unique details not present in the other Gospels, while omitting certain elements they include. For instance, the mention of "When He drew near the descent from the Mount of Olives" specifically highlights the location that heightened the people's excitement, a detail exclusive to Luke. The view of Jerusalem was particularly stunning, and the sight of the great Miracle Worker entering the city fueled a profound joy among the crowd. Luke's depiction captures the vibrancy of the people's enthusiasm more vividly.
They joyfully exalted God, especially praising the "miracles" they had witnessed; notably, the remarkable acts performed recently, such as the healing of the blind man from Jericho and the resurrection of Lazarus (cf. Jn. 12:17-18). The exclamation "Peace in heaven" reflects a sense of triumph and joy rather than mere tranquility, as peace in heaven is always assured.
As He drew near the slope of the Mount of Olives...
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Greek text, 28 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
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