Matthew 21:10

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

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}?

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

When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, โ€œWho is this?โ€

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

Commentary

Matthew 21:10 (KJV) captures the profound impact of Jesus Christ's arrival in Jerusalem, setting the stage for the dramatic events of Passion Week. As Jesus entered the holy city, His presence created an immediate and widespread commotion, prompting the entire populace to question His identity.

Context of the Triumphal Entry

This verse immediately follows the jubilant scenes of the Triumphal Entry, where Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Crowds had gathered, spreading their cloaks and palm branches on the road, shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David!" as recorded in Matthew 21:9. Jerusalem was already bustling with pilgrims arriving for the Passover feast, making Jesus' public and dramatic entrance impossible to ignore. The city, accustomed to Roman authority and religious traditions, was suddenly confronted by a figure hailed as Messiah by many, yet largely unknown or misunderstood by others.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Stirring of Jerusalem: The phrase "all the city was moved" emphasizes the significant disruption and widespread attention Jesus' arrival commanded. It wasn't just a small group, but the entire city was affected, indicating the magnitude of the event.
  • Questioning Identity: The central inquiry, "Who is this?", highlights the diverse reactions and prevailing uncertainty about Jesus' true nature and mission. While some recognized Him as a prophet or the Messiah, others were simply bewildered by the commotion and sought to understand who was causing such a stir. This question sets up the answer provided in the very next verse.
  • Messianic Expectations vs. Reality: The scene underscores the tension between the popular expectation of a political liberator and Jesus' true spiritual kingship. The crowds were looking for a king to overthrow Roman rule, while Jesus was coming to establish a spiritual kingdom and offer salvation through His sacrifice.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "moved" in Greek is eseisthe (แผฯƒฮตฮฏฯƒฮธฮท), which comes from the verb seio (ฯƒฮตฮฏฯ‰). This word means "to shake, to agitate, to stir up, to cause to tremble." It's the same root word used to describe an earthquake or a violent shaking. Therefore, "all the city was moved" implies more than just curiosity; it suggests a profound commotion, a deep unsettling, or even a shockwave passing through the populace. This wasn't a gentle stir but a significant disturbance that demanded attention and a response.

Practical Application

Matthew 21:10 invites us to consider our own response to Jesus. Just as Jerusalem was "moved," the presence of Christ in our lives should prompt a profound reaction and a serious inquiry into who He truly is. Are we merely curious, or does His identity challenge our assumptions and priorities? The verse reminds us that Jesus' arrival is never a quiet event; it always brings a stir, demanding that we confront His claims and decide whether we will acknowledge Him as King, Prophet, or simply a source of commotion. Our understanding of "Who is this?" shapes our entire spiritual journey.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

    ยถ 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

    ยถ 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.
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