Mendalla
Happy headbanging ape!!
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
I am putting all four accounts here in Gospel order. The story is short in all of them and I am finding it interesting to compare and contrast them. Pick a fave or read ‘em all.
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 21:1-11 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Bible Gateway passage: Mark 11:1-11 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Bible Gateway passage: Luke 19:28-40 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Bible Gateway passage: John 12:12-19 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph. What does that mean? In the ancient world, especially Rome, a “triumph” was when a ruler or successful military commander paraded through the city to celebrate their victories and, frankly, to show off. They usually rode in a chariot or on a magnificent steed.
But Jesus enters Jerusalem on a “colt” or “donkey” or “donkey colt” or “donkey and colt” depending on which Gospel and translation you read. Definitely not a chariot or might warhorse for sure. He isn’t wearing full battle dress or fancy clothing, just his usual garb. He is escorted only by his followers, not Imperial legions.
And, yet, we get an image very like a triumph. People shouting his praises, waving branches, and laying their garb in his path. It seems like they are celebrating a victorious leader. But what victory? What are they really celebrating here?
One of the most interesting things about the triumphal entry story is that it appears in all four Gospels and the variations among them are relatively minor. The basic story, Jesus obtains a colt or donkey, usually with help from a couple followers. This is supported in Matthew and John by quoting Zechariah 9:9 (NRSVUE), which may also suggest what the triumph is celebrating:
He then mounts his “steed” and enters the city as people shout and praise him with the famous “Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Psalm 118:26) Curiously, Luke leaves off the “Hosanna” part. Not sure why, though it is not part of the Psalm. Who the people are varies a bit, something worth discussing.
As I said, there are variations between the four, but they are fairly consistent in the broad facts. This suggests either that this is one of the more historical stories, well-documented in the early Christian community, or a rare case where John actually drew on the Synoptics or one of the same sources as the Synoptics.
What does the triumphal entry really mean about Jesus?
Why so much excitement if he was just a country preacher/prophet? John credits the resurrection of Lazarus (John 12:17-18), the Synoptics don’t really say.
Is that meaning different for us today than for those present?
Why the donkey/colt? Yes, fulfilling the verse from Zechariah plays a role, at least in the eyes of two of the writers, but why even there? It certainly is not the norm for a triumphant king or general.
What are your reactions to this story, which has to be one of the earliest examples of Christian triumphalism?
Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 21:1-11 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Bible Gateway passage: Mark 11:1-11 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Bible Gateway passage: Luke 19:28-40 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Bible Gateway passage: John 12:12-19 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph. What does that mean? In the ancient world, especially Rome, a “triumph” was when a ruler or successful military commander paraded through the city to celebrate their victories and, frankly, to show off. They usually rode in a chariot or on a magnificent steed.
But Jesus enters Jerusalem on a “colt” or “donkey” or “donkey colt” or “donkey and colt” depending on which Gospel and translation you read. Definitely not a chariot or might warhorse for sure. He isn’t wearing full battle dress or fancy clothing, just his usual garb. He is escorted only by his followers, not Imperial legions.
And, yet, we get an image very like a triumph. People shouting his praises, waving branches, and laying their garb in his path. It seems like they are celebrating a victorious leader. But what victory? What are they really celebrating here?
One of the most interesting things about the triumphal entry story is that it appears in all four Gospels and the variations among them are relatively minor. The basic story, Jesus obtains a colt or donkey, usually with help from a couple followers. This is supported in Matthew and John by quoting Zechariah 9:9 (NRSVUE), which may also suggest what the triumph is celebrating:
Zechariah said:Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you;
triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
He then mounts his “steed” and enters the city as people shout and praise him with the famous “Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Psalm 118:26) Curiously, Luke leaves off the “Hosanna” part. Not sure why, though it is not part of the Psalm. Who the people are varies a bit, something worth discussing.
As I said, there are variations between the four, but they are fairly consistent in the broad facts. This suggests either that this is one of the more historical stories, well-documented in the early Christian community, or a rare case where John actually drew on the Synoptics or one of the same sources as the Synoptics.
What does the triumphal entry really mean about Jesus?
Why so much excitement if he was just a country preacher/prophet? John credits the resurrection of Lazarus (John 12:17-18), the Synoptics don’t really say.
Is that meaning different for us today than for those present?
Why the donkey/colt? Yes, fulfilling the verse from Zechariah plays a role, at least in the eyes of two of the writers, but why even there? It certainly is not the norm for a triumphant king or general.
What are your reactions to this story, which has to be one of the earliest examples of Christian triumphalism?
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