Matthew 21:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when he {G846} was come {G1525} into {G1519} Jerusalem {G2414}, all {G3956} the city {G4172} was moved {G4579}, saying {G3004}, Who {G5101} is {G2076} this {G3778}?

Complete Jewish Bible

When he entered Yerushalayim, the whole city was stirred. "Who is this?" they asked.

Berean Standard Bible

When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 21:10 vividly captures the profound and immediate impact of Jesus Christ's arrival in Jerusalem, marking the precipice of Passion Week. As Jesus entered the holy city, His presence ignited a widespread commotion, prompting the entire populace to collectively question His identity and the nature of the extraordinary stir He caused. This verse encapsulates the city's initial bewilderment and the dramatic tension between popular expectations and the spiritual reality of Jesus' messianic mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the jubilant scene of the [Triumphal Entry](/matthew/21-1-9 "Matthew 21:1-9 - The Triumphal Entry"), where Jesus deliberately rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the ancient prophecy found in [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - Prophecy of the King's Arrival"). The preceding verses (Matthew 21:1-9) describe the enthusiastic crowds spreading their cloaks and palm branches, shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David!" as Jesus approached. The question "Who is this?" in [Matthew 21:10](/matthew/21-10 "Matthew 21:10 - The City Stirred") serves as a direct response to this public acclamation and sets the stage for the crowd's answer in [Matthew 21:11](/matthew/21-11 "Matthew 21:11 - The Crowd's Answer") and the subsequent events of Jesus cleansing the Temple in [Matthew 21:12-17](/matthew/21-12-17 "Matthew 21:12-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple and Heals"). It marks a pivotal moment where Jesus publicly presents Himself as Messiah, forcing a reaction from the city's inhabitants.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jerusalem was already bustling with hundreds of thousands of Jewish pilgrims arriving from all over the Roman Empire for the annual Passover feast, a celebration commemorating Israel's liberation from slavery in Egypt. This heightened atmosphere of religious fervor and nationalistic expectation provided a fertile ground for messianic hopes. The city was under Roman occupation, and the Jewish people longed for a political deliverer who would overthrow their oppressors, much like the Maccabees had done centuries prior. Jesus' public and dramatic entrance, hailed by a fervent crowd, was therefore impossible for the authorities or the general populace to ignore. The question "Who is this?" reflects the diverse and often conflicting messianic expectations prevalent at the time, as well as the general unfamiliarity of many pilgrims with Jesus, who had primarily ministered in Galilee.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Messianic Revelation and Recognition**, as Jesus deliberately presents Himself as the promised King, yet His identity remains a mystery to many, leading to the central question posed by the city. Secondly, it underscores the **Tension Between Expectations and Reality**, as the popular desire for a political liberator clashes with Jesus' true mission of spiritual salvation and the establishment of a spiritual kingdom. This tension is evident in the crowd's question, which reflects a misunderstanding of His kingship. Thirdly, the phrase "all the city was moved" emphasizes the **Disruptive Nature of Jesus' Presence**. Jesus' arrival is never a quiet or unnoticed event; it always brings a profound stir, forcing individuals and communities to confront His claims and decide how they will respond, echoing the broader theme of the kingdom of heaven breaking into the world, as seen in passages like [Matthew 10:34](/matthew/10-34 "Matthew 10:34 - Jesus Brings Division").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **come into (Greek, _eisérchomai'_):** From εἰς and ἔρχομαι; to enter (literally or figuratively):--X arise, come (in, into), enter in(-to), go in (through). This word emphasizes the deliberate and purposeful action of Jesus entering Jerusalem. It's not a casual arrival but a significant, intentional entry, signifying the culmination of His journey towards His ultimate purpose. The verb implies a movement into a specific, often enclosed, space, highlighting Jerusalem as the destination for the Passion.
* **Jerusalem (Greek, _Hierosólyma'_):** Of Hebrew origin (יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם); Hierosolyma (i.e. Jerushalaim), the capitol of Palestine:--Jerusalem. Compare Ἱερουσαλήμ. More than just a geographical location, "Jerusalem" here functions as a symbol of the spiritual and political heart of Judaism, the city of the Great King ([Psalm 48:2](/psalms/48-2 "Psalm 48:2 - City of the Great King")) and the place where prophets were rejected ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")). Jesus' entry into this specific city carries immense theological weight.
* **moved (Greek, _seíō'_):** Apparently a primary verb; to rock (vibrate, properly, sideways or to and fro), i.e. (generally) to agitate (in any direction; cause to tremble); figuratively, to throw into a tremor (of fear or concern):--move, quake, shake. This is a powerful word, often used to describe earthquakes or violent shaking (e.g., [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - Earthquake at the Crucifixion")). Its use here suggests that Jesus' arrival caused more than just a stir; it created a profound, unsettling tremor or agitation throughout the city, implying a deep impact that went beyond mere curiosity to a sense of shock or even alarm.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he was come into Jerusalem":** This clause establishes the setting and the primary actor. Jesus' entry is presented as a definitive, consequential act. The use of "come into" (eisérchomai) suggests a deliberate, purposeful arrival, not a casual visit. It signals the beginning of the final, climactic phase of His earthly ministry, leading directly to His crucifixion and resurrection.
* **"all the city was moved":** This phrase describes the widespread and intense reaction to Jesus' arrival. The Greek word for "moved" (seíō) conveys a sense of shaking, agitation, or even an earthquake-like tremor, indicating a profound disturbance or commotion that affected the entire urban population. It was not a localized event but a city-wide phenomenon, demonstrating the undeniable impact of Jesus' presence and the magnitude of the Triumphal Entry.
* **"saying, Who is this?":** This final clause reveals the nature of the city's "movement" – it was primarily a question of identity. The crowds, pilgrims, and residents were bewildered by the spectacle and the acclamations of "Hosanna!" They sought to understand the source of such a dramatic stir. This question highlights the prevailing ignorance or misunderstanding of Jesus' true identity, despite His public ministry and miracles, setting up the answer provided in the subsequent verse.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 21:10 employs several literary devices to convey the dramatic impact of Jesus' arrival. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "all the city was moved," which, while not literally every single person, emphasizes the widespread and overwhelming nature of the commotion. This exaggeration underscores the profound disruption Jesus' presence caused. **Dramatic Irony** is also at play, as the city's bewildered question, "Who is this?", stands in stark contrast to the reader's knowledge of Jesus' divine identity and messianic purpose. The crowd's limited understanding highlights their inability to fully grasp the significance of the moment, even as they participate in its unfolding. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is present in the "moving" or "shaking" of the city, which can be seen as a symbolic representation of the old order being disturbed by the inbreaking of God's kingdom. Just as an earthquake shakes the ground, Jesus' arrival shakes the foundations of established religious and political systems, demanding a response and revealing the true nature of authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 21:10 is profoundly theological, revealing the inherent tension between human expectation and divine reality. Jesus' deliberate entry into Jerusalem, the heart of Jewish life, was a public declaration of His messianic claim, fulfilling prophecy and challenging the status quo. The city's reaction, "Who is this?", underscores humanity's often limited perception of God's work and the Messiah's true nature. While many sought a political king to overthrow Roman rule, Jesus came as a spiritual King, whose kingdom was not of this world, yet whose authority would shake the very foundations of it. This moment foreshadows the ultimate rejection of Jesus by many in Jerusalem, even as it highlights the divine necessity of His journey to the cross. It is a powerful reminder that the presence of Christ always demands a response and reveals the state of the human heart.

* [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")
* [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")
* [Acts 17:6](/acts/17-6 "Acts 17:6 - Turning the World Upside Down")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 21:10 invites us to deeply consider our own response to the presence and claims of Jesus Christ. Just as Jerusalem was "moved" by His arrival, the encounter with Christ's truth and authority should profoundly agitate and stir our hearts, challenging our assumptions and priorities. Are we merely curious bystanders, asking "Who is this?" from a place of detached observation, or does His identity compel us to a deeper inquiry and a personal commitment? The "shaking" of the city reminds us that Jesus' presence is never neutral; it always brings a disturbance to our comfortable routines, demanding that we confront His claims to be King and Lord. Our understanding of "Who is this?" is not merely an academic exercise but a foundational question that shapes our entire spiritual journey, determining whether we will acknowledge Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and align our lives with His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways has the presence of Jesus "moved" or "shaken" your own life?**
* **What assumptions or expectations about Jesus might prevent you from fully recognizing His true identity and mission?**
* **How does your understanding of "Who is this?" impact your daily decisions and priorities?**

### FAQ

**Why was "all the city" moved by Jesus' arrival? Was it just curiosity, or something more?**

Answer: The "moving" of the city, described by the Greek word _seíō_ (meaning to shake, agitate, or cause to tremble), indicates far more than mere curiosity. It suggests a profound commotion, a deep unsettling, or even a shockwave passing through the populace. Several factors contributed to this widespread agitation. Firstly, Jerusalem was packed with pilgrims for Passover, making any public spectacle highly visible and impactful. Secondly, the Triumphal Entry itself was a highly symbolic event, with crowds hailing Jesus as "Son of David" and "King of Israel," directly challenging Roman authority and established religious leadership. This public acclamation ignited diverse reactions: some were genuinely excited, believing Him to be the long-awaited Messiah; others were bewildered, having never seen such a display; and still others, particularly the religious authorities, were deeply troubled and threatened by His popularity and perceived challenge to their power. Thus, the city was "moved" by a complex mix of hope, confusion, awe, and alarm, all stemming from the undeniable and disruptive presence of Jesus.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 21:10, with the city's bewildered question "Who is this?", finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ongoing revelation of Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the promised Messiah. While Jerusalem struggled to comprehend the humble King riding on a donkey, this very scene foreshadows His ultimate triumph and reign. The "stir" in the city prefigures the global impact of His death and resurrection, an event that would truly "shake" the world and redefine humanity's relationship with God. The question "Who is this?" is ultimately answered not just by the crowd's response in [Matthew 21:11](/matthew/21-11 "Matthew 21:11 - The Crowd's Answer"), but by the entirety of the New Testament witness: He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the [resurrected Lord](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confess Jesus as Lord"), and the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings"). The initial confusion of Jerusalem gives way to the universal confession that [every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow"), a truth far grander than any political liberation the crowds might have envisioned. His entry into Jerusalem thus marks the beginning of the final act of His redemptive work, culminating in His exaltation and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, which continues to "move" hearts and lives today.

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

Acts 9:5

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Luke 7:49

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

Song Of Solomon 3:6

¶ Who [is] this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

John 12:16

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.

John 12:19

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

Luke 9:9

And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

Isaiah 63:1

¶ Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.