Luke 19:38

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

Saying {G3004}, Blessed {G2127} be the King {G935} that cometh {G2064} in {G1722} the name {G3686} of the Lord {G2962}: peace {G1515} in {G1722} heaven {G3772}, and {G2532} glory {G1391} in {G1722} the highest {G5310}.

“Blessed is the King who is coming in the name of Adonai!”

“Shalom in heaven!”

and

“Glory in the highest places!”

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

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

Commentary

Luke 19:38 captures the fervent acclamation of the crowd during Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, a pivotal event known as Palm Sunday. The verse proclaims Jesus as the long-awaited King, acknowledging His divine authority and foreshadowing His ultimate reign.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative describing Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem before His crucifixion. As Jesus approaches the city, His disciples, joined by a great multitude, begin to praise God with loud voices for all the mighty works they had seen. They lay their cloaks on the road and spread branches, creating a makeshift path of honor, fulfilling the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9 that the King would come riding on a donkey's colt. The crowd's jubilant shouts directly precede the Pharisees' objection to Jesus, which He dismisses by stating that if the people were silent, the very stones would cry out (Luke 19:40).

Key Themes

  • Messianic Acclamation: The crowd explicitly hails Jesus as "the King that cometh in the name of the Lord." This is a public declaration of His messianic identity and divine commission, echoing the traditional greeting for a king or deliverer from Psalm 118:26.
  • Divine Authority: The phrase "cometh in the name of the Lord" signifies that Jesus' arrival and mission are sanctioned and empowered by God Himself. He is not merely a human leader but one sent by the Almighty.
  • Heavenly Approval and Peace: "Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest" points to the cosmic significance of Jesus' entry. Unlike the earthly peace the crowd might have desired, this speaks of a spiritual peace established by God and the divine glory that accompanies His Son's mission. It also draws a parallel to the angels' song at Jesus' birth (Luke 2:14), which also spoke of "glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace."

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek phrase for "Blessed [be] the King" is eulogēmenos ho basileus, meaning "blessed is the King." Eulogēmenos carries the sense of being divinely favored or approved.
  • "In the name of the Lord" is en onomati Kyriou. Kyriou (Lord) here refers to God, emphasizing that Jesus acts with divine authorization, not human initiative.
  • "Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest" uses eirēnē for peace, which in biblical context (like Hebrew shalom) implies not just absence of conflict but wholeness, well-being, and reconciliation. Doxa (glory) refers to divine splendor and majesty, while hypsistois (highest) points to the highest heavens, indicating God's ultimate realm and approval.

Significance and Application

Luke 19:38 serves as a powerful declaration of Jesus' true identity, even if the crowd's understanding of His kingship was limited to earthly expectations. It underscores that Jesus is the long-prophesied Messiah, whose mission brings not just earthly hope but also a profound spiritual peace and glory from heaven itself.

For believers today, this verse is a call to acknowledge Jesus as King in our own lives, not just with our lips but with our actions. It reminds us that His authority is from God, and His reign brings a peace that transcends earthly circumstances (John 14:27). As we await His glorious return, we are invited to join the heavenly chorus in proclaiming "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord," recognizing Him as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 13:35 (19 votes)

    Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

  • Psalms 118:22 (18 votes)

    The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.

  • Psalms 118:26 (18 votes)

    Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

  • Zechariah 9:9 (17 votes)

    ¶ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

  • Matthew 21:9 (15 votes)

    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.

  • Mark 11:9 (13 votes)

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

  • Mark 11:10 (13 votes)

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