21As Jesus and his followers were coming closer to Jerusalem, they stopped at Bethphage at the hill called the Mount of Olives. From there Jesus sent two of his followers ²and said to them, “Go to the town you can see there. When you enter it, you will quickly find a donkey tied there with its colt. Untie them and bring them to me. ³If anyone asks you why you are taking the donkeys, say that the Master needs them, and he will send them at once.”

⁴This was to bring about what the prophet had said:

⁵“Tell the people of Jerusalem,

‘Your king is coming to you.

He is gentle and riding on a donkey,

on the colt of a donkey.’ ”

⁶The followers went and did what Jesus told them to do. ⁷They brought the donkey and the colt to Jesus and laid their coats on them, and Jesus sat on them. ⁸Many people spread their coats on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹The people were walking ahead of Jesus and behind him, shouting,

“Praise ⁿ to the Son of David!

God bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord!

Praise to God in heaven!”

Read in Logos

Matthew 21:9: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

Footnotes

nPraise Literally, “Hosanna,” a Hebrew word used at first in praying to God for help. At this time it was probably a shout of joy used in praising God or his Messiah.