Mark 11:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Blessed {G2127} be the kingdom {G932} of our {G2257} father {G3962} David {G1138}, that cometh {G2064} in {G1722} the name {G3686} of the Lord {G2962}: Hosanna {G5614} in {G1722} the highest {G5310}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Blessed is the coming Kingdom of our father David!" and, "You in the highest heaven! Please! Deliver us!"

Berean Standard Bible

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

American Standard Version

Blessed is the kingdom that cometh, the kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 11:10 captures the fervent acclamation of the crowd during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a pivotal moment preceding His passion. Their shouts of "Blessed be the kingdom of our father David" and "Hosanna in the highest" reveal a complex blend of messianic expectation, nationalistic hope, and profound adoration, recognizing Jesus as the long-awaited Davidic King who comes with divine authority, yet perhaps misunderstanding the spiritual nature of His kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the narrative of Jesus' [Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem](/mark/11-1-11 "Mark 11:1-11 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry"), a scene rich with symbolic action and prophetic fulfillment. Immediately preceding it, in [Mark 11:9](/mark/11-9 "Mark 11:9 - The Crowd's Acclamation"), the crowd shouts "Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord," echoing [Psalm 118:26](/psalm/118-26 "Psalm 118:26 - A Messianic Psalm"). Verse 10 builds upon this by explicitly connecting the coming one with the "kingdom of our father David," further clarifying their messianic understanding. The subsequent verses describe Jesus' entry into the temple and His observation of it, setting the stage for His cleansing of the temple and teachings that challenge the religious establishment, highlighting the clash between the crowd's expectations and the true nature of His mission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish people in the 1st century AD lived under Roman occupation, longing for liberation and the restoration of their national sovereignty. This longing fueled a strong messianic expectation, often envisioned as a political and military leader in the mold of King David, who would overthrow foreign rule and re-establish an independent Israel. The "kingdom of our father David" invoked the ancient [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David"), promising an eternal dynasty and kingdom. The act of spreading cloaks and palm branches (implied by the broader Palm Sunday tradition, though Mark specifically mentions "branches cut from the fields" in [Mark 11:8](/mark/11-8 "Mark 11:8 - The Crowd's Welcome")) was a traditional way to honor a king or conqueror, further demonstrating the crowd's perception of Jesus as a royal figure.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive in Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. **Messianic Expectation** is paramount, as the crowd's acclamation directly identifies Jesus with the long-awaited Davidic Messiah, fulfilling prophecies found in passages like [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Kingdom"). The **Davidic Covenant** from [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant") is explicitly referenced, underscoring God's enduring promise to establish David's throne forever, which the crowd believed Jesus was now inaugurating. Furthermore, the phrase "that cometh in the name of the Lord" highlights the theme of **Divine Authority**, signifying that Jesus' kingship and the kingdom He brings are divinely sanctioned and empowered, echoing the prophetic language of [Psalm 118:26](/psalm/118-26 "Psalm 118:26 - A Prophecy of the Messiah's Arrival"). The cry "Hosanna in the highest" encapsulates **Praise and Deliverance**, reflecting both an urgent plea for salvation and an ecstatic expression of adoration for the perceived deliverer.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blessed (Greek, _eulogéō'_):** From a compound of _eu_ (well) and _logos_ (word), meaning "to speak well of." Religiously, it signifies to bless, thank, or invoke a benediction upon, or to prosper. Here, it is an acclamation, declaring the kingdom of David to be divinely favored and worthy of praise.
* **kingdom (Greek, _basileía'_):** Properly, royalty; abstractly, rule; concretely, a realm (literally or figuratively). In this context, it refers to the reign or dominion associated with the Davidic line, which the crowd anticipated Jesus would establish. It carries both political and spiritual connotations, though the crowd's emphasis was likely on the former.
* **Hosanna (Greek, _hōsanná'_):** Of Hebrew origin, meaning "oh save!" or "save now!" While originally a plea for salvation, by the time of Jesus, it had evolved into an exclamation of adoration, praise, and welcome, particularly for a deliverer or king. Its inclusion here signifies the crowd's enthusiastic welcome and their hope for immediate deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed [be] the kingdom of our father David,"**: This clause expresses a fervent acclamation and blessing upon the anticipated kingdom. The crowd explicitly links Jesus to the royal lineage of David, signaling their belief that He is the long-awaited Messiah who will restore the glorious kingdom of Israel, reminiscent of David's golden age. The term "father David" emphasizes the deep historical and covenantal roots of their messianic hope.
* **"that cometh in the name of the Lord:"**: This phrase identifies the source of authority for the coming kingdom and its King. By stating it "comes in the name of the Lord (κύριος)," the crowd acknowledges that this kingdom is not merely a human endeavor but is divinely ordained and empowered. It echoes the messianic prophecy of [Psalm 118:26](/psalm/118-26 "Psalm 118:26 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"), reinforcing the idea that Jesus' arrival is sanctioned by God.
* **"Hosanna in the highest."**: This is an intensified cry of praise and adoration. "Hosanna" (from Hebrew "save, we pray!") had become an exclamation of joyful welcome and appeal for salvation. Adding "in the highest" elevates the praise to the highest possible degree, directing it towards heaven and signifying profound reverence and perhaps a plea for divine intervention from the heavenly realms.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 11:10 employs several potent literary devices. **Allusion** is prominent, specifically to the [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - God's Covenant with David") and [Psalm 118:26](/psalm/118-26 "Psalm 118:26 - A Prophetic Acclamation"), immediately connecting Jesus to long-held Jewish messianic prophecies and expectations. The crowd's cries are a form of **Acclamation**, serving to publicly declare Jesus' perceived identity and role. The phrase "in the highest" is an example of **Hyperbole**, intensifying the praise and adoration to an ultimate degree, suggesting that the praise is so great it reaches the heavens. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play; while the crowd acclaims Jesus as a political king, Jesus' true kingship is spiritual and sacrificial, a theme that will unfold dramatically in the subsequent passion narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 11:10 stands as a profound theological statement, revealing the intersection of human expectation and divine purpose. The crowd's acclamation of "the kingdom of our father David" highlights the deep-seated Jewish hope for a restoration of Israel's national glory under a messianic king. While they correctly identified Jesus as the Davidic heir, their understanding of His kingdom was largely temporal and political, contrasting with Jesus' own revelation of a spiritual kingdom that operates on principles of self-sacrifice and servanthood. This tension underscores a central theme in the Gospels: the redefinition of messiahship from earthly power to redemptive suffering. The cry "Hosanna in the highest" simultaneously expresses a plea for salvation and an outpouring of praise, demonstrating the innate human longing for a deliverer and the appropriate response of worship to God's intervention.

* [Psalm 118:25-26](/psalm/118-25-26 "Psalm 118:25-26 - The Source of the Hosanna Cry")
* [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - Prophecy of Jesus' Davidic Throne")
* [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 11:10 invites us to deeply consider the nature of Jesus' kingship and our own response to it. The crowd's enthusiastic, yet ultimately incomplete, understanding of Jesus serves as a powerful reminder that our expectations of God may not always align with His divine plan. While they sought an earthly king to deliver them from Roman oppression, Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom that liberates humanity from the bondage of sin and death. Our "Hosanna" today must move beyond mere outward acclamation to a heartfelt recognition of Jesus as the sovereign Lord, whose reign transforms hearts and lives. It calls us to surrender our own agendas and embrace His kingdom, which is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, rather than political power or earthly dominion. This verse challenges us to align our hopes and prayers with God's eternal purposes, recognizing that true deliverance comes through Christ's sacrificial love and the spiritual transformation He offers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What expectations do I bring to my understanding of Jesus' kingdom, and how might they differ from the biblical revelation of His reign?**
* **In what ways can my "Hosanna" be a genuine expression of praise and surrender to Jesus' spiritual kingship in my daily life?**
* **How does understanding the crowd's limited perspective help me to more fully appreciate the depth and breadth of Christ's redemptive work?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the crowd calling Jesus' kingdom "of our father David"?**

Answer: The phrase "kingdom of our father David" is profoundly significant because it directly links Jesus to the [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "God's Covenant with David"), God's unconditional promise to King David that his house and kingdom would be established forever. For the Jewish people, this covenant fueled their messianic expectation: they believed the Messiah would be a descendant of David who would restore Israel's sovereignty and glory, much like David's reign. By using this phrase, the crowd was explicitly identifying Jesus as the long-awaited Davidic Messiah, the rightful heir to David's throne, who they hoped would deliver them from Roman rule and usher in a new golden age for Israel.

**Why did the meaning of "Hosanna" evolve from a plea to an acclamation?**

Answer: The word "Hosanna" (Greek: _hōsanná_) is a transliteration of the Hebrew phrase _hoshia na_, which literally means "save, we pray!" or "save now!" It originated as an urgent plea for deliverance, notably used in [Psalm 118:25](/psalm/118-25 "A Cry for Salvation"). Over time, particularly in the context of Jewish festivals like the Feast of Tabernacles, this plea became associated with the arrival of a deliverer or king. As such, it evolved into an exclamation of joyful praise, welcome, and adoration for the one who brings salvation. When the crowd shouted "Hosanna" during Jesus' entry, it conveyed both a lingering sense of urgent expectation for deliverance and an ecstatic, celebratory welcome for their perceived King and Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 11:10, with its acclamation of the "kingdom of our father David" and "Hosanna in the highest," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in an earthly political kingdom, but in the spiritual and eternal reign of Jesus Christ. While the crowd anticipated a king who would restore Israel's temporal power, Jesus' true kingship, as revealed throughout the New Testament, transcends earthly dominion. He is indeed the promised [Son of David](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1:3 - Jesus, Son of David"), the rightful heir to David's throne, but His kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Spiritual")). Jesus fulfills the Davidic Covenant by establishing a spiritual kingdom built on grace and truth, inaugurated through His sacrificial death and resurrection ([Acts 2:29-36](/acts/2-29-36 "Acts 2:29-36 - Peter's Sermon on David and Christ")). The "Hosanna" cry, originally a plea for salvation, is ultimately answered in Christ, who is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). He is the one who truly saves, not from political oppression, but from the bondage of sin and death ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People")). His reign is eternal, encompassing all believers, and will culminate in His glorious return when He will establish His universal and everlasting kingdom ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes Christ's")). Thus, Mark 11:10 foreshadows the coming of the true King, whose kingdom is spiritual, redemptive, and eternal, bringing salvation and glory to God in the highest heavens.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Ezekiel 37:24

And David my servant [shall be] king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

Ezekiel 37:25

And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, [even] they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David [shall be] their prince for ever.

Jeremiah 33:15

In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

Jeremiah 33:17

¶ For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;

Psalms 148:1

¶ Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

Amos 9:11

¶ In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: