Matthew 21:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As Jesus made His entrance into Jerusalem, the entire city was stirred, inquiring, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds responded, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’ The earnest and plain-hearted individuals did not harbor jealousy towards Christ; however, they lacked a full comprehension of His true nature. This is why they referred to Him simply as a prophet in that moment. They did not proclaim Him as 'the Prophet,' but merely as 'a prophet,' indicating their anticipation of the one who was to come.

As Jesus made His entrance into Jerusalem, the entire city was stirred, prompting the question, "Who is this man?" The throngs surrounding Him were filled with wonder, unaware of the deeper truth, and they inquired, "Who is this?" Additionally, we find elsewhere that the angels asked, "Who is this King of glory?" (Psalm 24:8). While some were skeptical or posed questions, the simple gathering boldly acknowledged Him, starting from the least to the greatest, declaring, "This is Jesus, the Prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." This is the prophet Moses spoke of, predicting that one like him would arise, whose name in Greek bears a significant spelling (άρθρώ). He is identified as from Nazareth in Galilee due to His upbringing there, symbolizing how the blossom of the fields is cultivated amidst the blossoms of virtue.

Although they regarded Him as more than just a prophet, they still labeled Him as such, unable to recognize Him in a greater light due to His earthly actions. In the Gospel of Luke (Luke 19:39, 40), we read: ‘Some Pharisees from the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.’ He replied, ‘I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would cry out.’ Motivated by jealousy, they insisted, ‘Rebuke Your disciples so they do not proclaim this and greet You in this manner.’ When He stated, ‘If these hold their peace, the stones would cry out,’ He demonstrated that His glory cannot be silenced. The stones can represent Gentile believers, who were previously hardhearted and unaware of the true nature of God, but who would eventually proclaim loudly the truth after the apostles had departed from this world.

Those who followed the Lord, especially the visitors from His homeland of Galilee, EXCLAIMED with joy, ‘HERE COMES JESUS, THE PROPHET FROM NAZARETH IN GALILEE.’ The procession made its way directly to the temple, the sole and rightful sanctuary of the Son of God. Like all pilgrims attending the feast, they sought to present themselves before the presence of the God of their ancestors.

The accounts of the Evangelists regarding the Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His presence during that time reflect a shared essence of spiritual renewal. The Evangelist Matthew notes the profound impact that Jesus Christ's royal procession had on Jerusalem, stating that the entire city was stirred, and visitors who had arrived for the feast from far-off lands, unfamiliar with Jesus, inquired, ‘Who is this?’ The throng accompanying the Lord responded, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.’

The victorious procession of Jesus stirred the entire city into action. The Jewish inhabitants of Palestine were certainly aware of His arrival, yet the visitors who had come to Jerusalem, including Jews from Babylon and Egypt, might have been unfamiliar with Him, leading them to inquire in astonishment, “Who is this?” Those who were part of the gathering that followed Christ responded, declaring, “It is Jesus, the Prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

The gathered crowd in the Kidron Valley and near the walls of Jerusalem, along with the worshippers nestled in their makeshift shelters on the lush hills below, recognized the significance of the approaching multitude once they heard their jubilant shouts. Snatching green branches from the trees, they hurried along the path to the mountain to greet the coming Prophet. As the two groups of people met—one journeying from Bethany and the other from Jerusalem—they found themselves surrounded by the throng that cheered both ahead and behind, proclaiming "Hosanna" and waving their leafy offerings all the way to Jerusalem's gates. Among them were several Pharisees, who felt their hearts pierced by the fervor of the crowd.

As the Lord Jesus Christ made His way into Jerusalem, the entire city was stirred. Observing the throng that followed Him and fervently proclaimed their admiration, both the residents and the travelers gathered for the festival inquired, ‘Who is this?’ The crowd replied, ‘This is Jesus the Prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’ Those arriving from Bethany, who were well aware of Lazarus' miraculous return to life, recounted how Jesus had called forth the deceased man from his tomb after four days, restoring him to life. The news of this extraordinary miracle spread rapidly, igniting genuine amazement among all who heard it. However, the envious Pharisees stood apart, unable to share in the people's joy. Embarrassed by the spectacle they found themselves witnessing, they exchanged words, saying, ‘You see, there is no gain here; the world is following Him.’