Matthew 21:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If the reason of this discrepancy be asked, I consider nothing more likely than that the LXX interpreted with the selfsame spirit with which the original was written, which is confirmed by that wonderful agreement among them of which we are told. By thus varying the expression, while they did not depart from the meaning of that God whose words they were, they convey to us the very same thing as we gather from this agreement, with slight variety, among the Evangelists. This shews us that it is no lie, when one relates any thing with such diversities in detail, as that he does not depart from his intention with whom he ought to agree. To know this is useful in morals in avoiding lies; and for faith itself, that we should not suppose that the truth is secured in sacred sounds, as though God imparted to us not the matter only, but the words in which the matter is conveyed. Rather the matter is in such sort conveyed in words, that we ought not to want words at all, if it were possible that the matter could be known by us without words, as God and His Angels know it. It follows, But the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the ass, and the colt. The other Evangelists say nothing of the ass. And if Matthew had not mentioned the colt, as they do not mention the ass, the reader ought not to have been surprised. How much less then should it move him, when one has so mentioned the ass which the others have omitted, as not to forget the colt which they have mentioned. For there is no discrepancy where both circumstances may have occurred, though one only related one, and another another; how much less then where one mentions both, though another mentions only one? It follows, And they put on them their clothes, and set him thereon.

John also narrates, “blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel." It is likely that this declaration came from those in front, those following, and those who went out to greet Him. “In the name of the Lord” implies also in the honor of the Lord, in the authority of the king. "Hosanna in the highest" invites all the highest powers, including the angels, to offer praise to God, who has sent a king and restored the kingdom of David. Luke, however, phrases it as, "glory in the highest," and he notes that the disciples proclaimed, "Blessed is the coming King in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest," linking peace to joy. Amidst this jubilant uproar, observe how the young donkey, untouched by a rider, walked quietly, symbolizing the obedience of the Gentiles and their significant transformation toward righteousness.

Ikos 6 The little children honored You, rightly addressing You as Son of David, O Master! You defeated the oppressor, the spiritual Goliath, whom they celebrated in their songs of victory: ‘Saul has slain thousands, but David his tens of thousands!’ (1 Sam. 18:7) This Saul represents the Law, followed by Your grace, my Jesus! The Law, like Saul, was envious and relentless in its pursuit, and through the exile of David, grace emerged. You are the Lord of David; blessed are You who comes to call Adam!

Ikos 8 Your humility was evident in the garments of Your disciples, yet it was by the power of Your might that the children’s song and the cries of the multitude united, ‘Hosanna,’ which means save! - in the highest. Save, O Most High, the humbled; have compassion on us, for the branches that wave will invoke Your mercy, He who comes to call Adam!

Ikos 13 And so, after the words, the actions reveal the truth: the hymn of the children reached the townspeople and stirred up all His adversaries.

The esteemed church commemorates the annual celebration, faithfully summoning its children, lover of mankind, with palm branches in hand, spreading garments of joy, so that You, along with Your disciples and friends, may walk upon them, granting profound peace to Your servants and liberation from afflictions, just as You once wiped away the tears of Mary and Martha.

"If I forget you, O Jerusalem," declared the Jews, “let my right hand forget its skill!” Imagination struggles to capture the divine beauty that radiated from that moment. In the foreground, the temple of Jerusalem soared above the chasm, its marble columns gleaming like an immense structure of ice, crowned by a golden dome reflecting the midday sun in dazzling lights. Its outward magnificence echoed the glorious reigns of David and Solomon, while the fortress of Antony, adorned with Roman insignia, seemed to symbolize the humiliation suffered by God's people. Pilate's praetorium was visible as well; yet, the palaces of the high priests appeared separated from the temple by deep ravines, hinting at the spiritual disconnection between their inhabitants and the God of their ancestors. Amidst these scenes, which recalled both the ancient grandeur and current degradation of their homeland, all eyes were irresistibly drawn to Jesus, who embodied the lost sanctity of Jerusalem. The expectation of the promised Messianic kingdom felt imminent. The people recalled all the miracles performed by the Lord, leading to an even greater scattering of branches and increasingly fervent shouts of "Hosanna!" The Lord was aware that this jubilation stemmed from the people’s unfulfilled desire to see Him as an earthly ruler; nonetheless, their recognition of Him as the awaited Messiah led Him to embrace their sincere expression of joy. He perceived this as the fulfillment of His heavenly Father’s plan, long foreseen by the prophets, feeling that His Father was unveiling Him to the people of Judea as their coming Redeemer.

To some of His adversaries, the joy of the people was unbearable, yet they hesitated to speak out against it, fearing their own judgments for such loyalty to the land. The unfolding events suggested that the Master from Galilee might soon rise to authority over them. However, they could not remain entirely silent; thus, the cunning hypocrites assumed a tone that could be mistaken for neutrality, or even kindness. "Teacher," they cautioned, "rebuke your disciples; it poses a risk to both you and them since the Romans might take notice." They feigned ignorance of the fact that the entire nation was rejoicing, not merely the disciples; they intended to diminish the Lord's victory, implying it was solely the disciples’ fault, while the entire nation might suffer consequences. Such is the way of powerless evil that delights in discord! What was the Lord’s response? Recognizing the insincerity behind their counsel, He did not chastise them directly but remarked, "If they keep silent, the very stones will cry out." This statement alluded to the prophecies, compelling the Pharisees to remain silent, for they were well-versed in the Scriptures. Six days later, at the moment of the Savior’s crucifixion, the scattered stones bore witness to His prophetic words. The sight of impending destruction met with the fickleness of the crowds, who would soon abandon cries of "Hosanna!" in favor of "Crucify Him!"— a shift that revealed the latent Pharisaic malice buried deep within their hearts—brought profound sorrow to the holy soul of our Savior, a sorrow that was evident on His Divine countenance. Perhaps standing at the very spot where the formidable Roman legions would camp thirty-eight years later, He paused on His donkey, silently gazing mournfully upon Jerusalem, as if searching for signs of spiritual life within it. The tears that streamed from His eyes communicated the absence of that which He sought, for He wept not just over Lazarus’s grave, but over the city doomed to destruction, lamenting over His people who would be engulfed by grave troubles. "O, if only you had recognized, even on this day, what could bring you peace! But this—this remains hidden from your sight!" For the days will come upon you when your enemies will surround you on every side, ravaging you, and your children within you; not one stone will remain on another, because you did not perceive the time of your divine visitation (Luke 19:42-44). To the Heart-follower, the future appears as clearly as the present: He foresaw that this beloved nation was forsaken by God, with Roman armies besieging exultant Jerusalem, its walls crumbling, its temple ablaze, countless Jews falling to the sword, while countless more were taken captive into slave labor, leaving all Israel as a parable of disgrace among the nations—seeing all this, uncontrollable tears flowed profusely from His divine eyes! He who wept over Jerusalem does not deserve the slander of the Pharisees as a deceiver of the people nor wished ill upon His homeland. It was time to continue. In the Kidron Valley, along the verdant slopes of Olivet, the encampments of distant pilgrims swelled as they gathered. When they caught wind of the jubilant cries and learned that Jesus was approaching, they flocked eagerly to witness Him, creating a stir throughout the city as He entered.

Blessed is our King who comes 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 and was used by the Jews as an exclamatory expression of joy during significant celebrations, akin to a modern cheer. Thus, the phrase "Hosanna in the highest" signifies a wish for their jubilant praises to resonate not just on earth, but also in the highest heaven, where God resides.

In the clear atmosphere, rising majestically from the deep valley around it, stood the city renowned for its historical significance. The morning sun sparkled on the marble spires and gilded rooftops of the temple, casting a brilliant reflection that dazzled those who gazed at it. This awe-inspiring panorama of the city captivated many Jewish and Gentile travelers, who halted their horses to marvel at the breathtaking sight in silent wonder. At that time, Jerusalem, adorned with majestic towers, was deemed one of the wonders of the world, presenting a magnificent display that today’s Jerusalem cannot begin to compare with. And now this glorious city appeared before Christ, its rightful Sovereign! Yet, the true King did not focus on the outward beauty of the city; rather, He observed the inner state of its people. Before Him lay an appalling chasm of disbelief and wickedness, primed for the perpetration of the gravest sin known to humanity, which pierced the compassionate heart of Christ with immense anguish. He had wept and shed tears over human callousness and sin, but now He cried out in deep sorrow. Though He had endured mockery and immense suffering just days later without emitting a single groan or tear, at this moment, His internal grief overwhelmed His human spirit, leading Him to weep earnestly. His voice, choked with sorrow, struggled to express His lament: “Oh, if thou also!” He cried, as the crowd looked on in wonder, unsure of how to respond, “oh, if thou also hadst known, even in this thy day, the things that belong to thy peace!” His words were interrupted by sorrow, and when His voice steadied, He added, “But now they are hidden from thine eyes; for the days will come upon thee when thine enemies will encircle thee and surround thee on every side, and they shall lay thee even with the ground, and your children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another, because thou did not recognize the time of your visitation.” This was the final appeal from the Messiah to the sinful city that had mistreated the prophets, and since it remained unresponsive, it faced the foretold consequences. Indeed, forty years later, the prophecy of Christ came to pass with complete accuracy.