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Triumphal entry into Jerusalem

Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on March 27, AD 33, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah, is a messianic declaration of peace. This event, described in all four Gospels, presents Jesus not as a conqueror but as the Prince of Peace. In response, the crowd acclaims him, affirming his messiahship.

7 min Triumphal entry Jesus Jerusalem Messiah Prophecy 7 verses 6 books

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Biblical texts

Matthew
Matthew 21.6-11 (King James Version)

And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Mark
Mark 11.4-11 (King James Version)

And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.

And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.

And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Luke
Luke 19.35-40 (King James Version)

And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.

And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
John
John 12.12-19 (King James Version)

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Technical details

AD 33

Location: Jerusalem in Judea

Date: Sunday, March 27, AD 33

Method: We continue with Mark

Note on the method: Matthew and Luke, and even John, confirm Mark’s account

Map of Bethany and Jerusalem
Bar chart: Sunday

The Messiah Jesus is about to enter Jerusalem through the south gate, seated on the back of a colt.

The Beautiful Gate

Jerusalem, Golden Gate

Comments

Dating this event is easy, since John 12.1 explicitly states that it took place the day after the meal. Thus, if the meal took place on Saturday, March 26, the event falls on Sunday, March 27.

We witness here a surprising staging. The Messiah Jesus could have entered Jerusalem on foot, as he had always done, but he chooses to go there seated on a colt. This gesture is far from insignificant: it refers to an ancient tradition and above all to the prophecy of Zechariah 9.9, which Matthew emphasizes. The Messiah Jesus therefore does not enter as a conqueror, but as the Prince of Peace. The , familiar with the Scriptures, cannot ignore the link between this event and the acclamations taken from Psalms 118.1-29, which the crowd spontaneously takes up.

All the disciples are present, joined by pilgrims coming for the Passover and by inhabitants of Jerusalem. As the Messiah Jesus advances, the crowd grows to form a true procession. The two disciples sent by the Master have found the colt and, as Matthew specifies, its mother the donkey, exactly as the Master had announced. After explaining to the owners that “the Lord has need of them,” they bring the animals back. The disciples lay their cloaks on the colt, and the Messiah Jesus sits on it to continue the journey.

As he progresses toward the city, the Messiah Jesus is surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd. Many spread their cloaks before him, a gesture reserved for kings, while others wave branches cut from the fields. All acclaim the Son of David and bless him who comes in the name of the Lord. Luke explains that this collective joy stems from the many miracles the crowd had witnessed. Some ask the Messiah Jesus to silence these cries, but he answers that if people were silent, the very stones would cry out. They are therefore witnesses of this event!

At the descent of the , the enthusiasm reaches its peak. As he enters Jerusalem, the commotion raises questions: “Who is this man?” The crowd answers that he is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee. Matthew adds that the blind and the lame come to him and that he heals them in the Temple. The situation is so intense that it could almost lead to a popular uprising; the Messiah Jesus could have rallied the crowd against the religious authorities, but God’s plan is quite different.

Thus, the entry of the Messiah Jesus into Jerusalem appears as a public fulfillment of the prophecies, a clear messianic proclamation, but also an act of profound humility. The promised King enters his city not to seize power by force, but to carry out God’s plan in peace and obedience.

This scene will remain indelibly etched in memory. What a difference from what will happen in four days!