Matthew 21:11

KJV

And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} the multitude {G3793} said {G3004}, This {G3778} is {G2076} Jesus {G2424} the prophet {G4396} of {G575} Nazareth {G3478} of Galilee {G1056}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And the crowds answered, "This is Yeshua, the prophet from Natzeret in the Galil."

Berean Standard Bible

The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

American Standard Version

And the multitudes said, This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 21:11 captures a pivotal moment during Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, where the city is stirred by His arrival. As the crowds enthusiastically welcome Him, the question arises regarding His identity. This verse records the multitude's collective response, identifying Jesus not as the anticipated Messiah-King, but as "the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee," revealing both their recognition of His divine authority and their incomplete understanding of His full messianic and divine nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This declaration immediately follows Jesus' dramatic and symbolic entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey (fulfilling [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - Prophecy of the King's Entry")). The preceding verses describe the crowds laying cloaks and palm branches on His path, shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David!" ([Matthew 21:8-9](/matthew/21-8-9 "Matthew 21:8-9 - The Triumphal Entry")). The entire city is "stirred up" by His arrival, prompting the question, "Who is this?" ([Matthew 21:10](/matthew/21-10 "Matthew 21:10 - The City Stirred")). Matthew 21:11 provides the crowd's direct answer to this question, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent actions in Jerusalem, including the cleansing of the temple and His authoritative teachings and parables, which further delineate His identity and mission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Passover week, a time when the city swelled with pilgrims and messianic fervor was often heightened. The Jewish people eagerly awaited the Messiah, whom they largely expected to be a political and military liberator from Roman rule, a descendant of David. Prophets were highly revered figures in Israelite history, viewed as God's spokesmen who delivered divine messages, called the people to repentance, and sometimes foretold future events, echoing the promise of a prophet like Moses ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses")). Identifying Jesus as "the prophet" indicates a high level of respect and recognition of His authoritative teaching and miraculous deeds, yet it falls short of acknowledging His full divine and kingly claims. The mention of "Nazareth of Galilee" also carries cultural weight, as Nazareth was a small, obscure town, often viewed with disdain (cf. Nathanael's skepticism in [John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Nathanael's Question About Nazareth")). Galilee itself was considered a somewhat less prestigious region compared to Judea, further highlighting Jesus' humble origins.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Jesus' Identity**, specifically the public's perception of Him. While many recognized Him as a powerful prophet, their understanding was limited, failing to grasp His full identity as the Son of God and the promised Messiah-King. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Humble Origins and Divine Authority**. Jesus, despite His humble upbringing in Nazareth of Galilee, demonstrates unparalleled authority through His teaching and miracles, challenging preconceived notions of where the Messiah would come from. This aligns with prophecies suggesting the Messiah would arise from unexpected places or circumstances. Finally, the verse touches on **Public Recognition and Misunderstanding**, showing that while Jesus garnered widespread acclaim and stirred the masses, their acclamation was often based on an incomplete or even flawed understanding of His true mission and nature, a theme that recurs throughout Jesus' ministry, particularly as He approaches His passion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **multitude (Greek, _óchlos'_):** This term refers to a throng or a crowd, often implying a large, undifferentiated mass of people. In this context, it signifies the collective voice of the general populace, distinct from the religious leaders or specific disciples, indicating widespread public acknowledgment of Jesus' presence and significance.
* **said (Greek, _légō'_):** Derived from a primary verb meaning "to lay forth" or "to relate in words," this word describes the act of speaking or declaring. Here, it emphasizes that the crowd's identification of Jesus was an articulate, albeit collective, statement, not merely a murmur or a feeling.
* **prophet (Greek, _prophētēs'_):** This word denotes a "foreteller" or, more broadly, an "inspired speaker." While it can include predicting the future, its primary meaning is one who speaks on behalf of God, delivering His message and revealing His will. The crowd's use of this title indicates their belief that Jesus was a divinely appointed messenger, acting with God's authority, much like the great prophets of Israel's past.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the multitude said":** This phrase establishes the collective nature of the declaration. It is not just a few individuals, but a significant portion of the populace, the "throng" that had accompanied Jesus into Jerusalem, speaking with a unified voice. Their statement reflects a widespread, though perhaps superficial, consensus about Jesus' identity.
* **"This is Jesus the prophet":** This is the core of the crowd's identification. They acknowledge Jesus by His common name, "Jesus," and then append the significant title "the prophet." This indicates their recognition of His authoritative teaching, His miraculous deeds, and His role as a spokesman for God, aligning Him with revered figures like Moses, Elijah, or Isaiah. It highlights their perception of Him as a powerful man of God.
* **"of Nazareth of Galilee":** This final phrase specifies Jesus' origin, both His hometown and the broader region. "Nazareth" was a small, unremarkable town, often looked down upon, and "Galilee" was a northern region considered somewhat provincial by those in Judea. This geographical marker underscores Jesus' humble and unexpected beginnings, contrasting sharply with the profound impact He was having in Jerusalem.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Identification** is central, as the crowd explicitly names Jesus and assigns Him a title. The use of the **Appellation** "the prophet" is crucial, revealing the crowd's primary understanding of Jesus' role. This title functions as a **Synecdoche**, where a part (prophet) stands for the whole (Messiah, Son of God), indicating a limited but significant grasp of Jesus' true identity. The geographical markers "of Nazareth of Galilee" serve as a form of **Contrast** or **Irony**, highlighting Jesus' humble and unexpected origins against the backdrop of His momentous entry into the holy city. This also functions as a **Geographical Marker**, firmly placing Jesus within a specific, often underestimated, regional context. Finally, the collective voice of "the multitude" represents a **Choral Character**, where a group speaks as one, emphasizing the widespread nature of this public perception.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The crowd's identification of Jesus as "the prophet" is deeply significant, reflecting both a profound recognition and a tragic limitation. Throughout Israel's history, God raised up prophets to speak His word, call His people to repentance, and prepare them for His coming. Jesus undeniably fulfilled and transcended this prophetic office through His authoritative teaching, His revelation of God's will, and His foretelling of future events, including His own death and resurrection. However, to identify Him *only* as "the prophet" falls short of His full identity as the promised Messiah, the Son of God, and the King of Israel. Their perception, while acknowledging His divine authority, missed the deeper truth of His redemptive mission and His unique relationship with the Father. This partial understanding sets the stage for the dramatic shifts in public opinion that would occur later in the week, culminating in His crucifixion.

* [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses")
* [John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Nathanael's Skepticism About Nazareth")
* [Luke 7:16](/luke/7-16 "Luke 7:16 - Crowd Glorifies God for a Great Prophet")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 21:11 challenges us to examine our own understanding and perception of Jesus. Like the multitude, we may recognize Jesus' historical significance, His profound teachings, or His moral authority, acknowledging Him as a great prophet or even a wise teacher. Yet, the New Testament calls us to move beyond this limited view to embrace His full identity as the Christ, the Son of the living God, who not only speaks for God but *is* God, the one who died for our sins and rose again. Our response to Jesus should not merely be admiration for a prophet from Nazareth, but worship and surrender to the resurrected Lord and Savior. Do we allow His humble origins or our preconceived notions to limit our understanding of His boundless power and authority? This verse invites us to deepen our faith, moving from a superficial recognition to a transformative relationship with the One who is truly "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my personal understanding of Jesus compare to the multitude's identification of Him as "the prophet"?**
* **In what ways might I be limiting my perception of Jesus' full identity or authority in my own life?**
* **What does it mean for me to move beyond merely acknowledging Jesus' historical significance to embracing Him as my resurrected Lord and Savior?**

### FAQ
**Why did the multitude identify Jesus as 'the prophet' rather than 'the Messiah'?**

Answer: The identification of Jesus as "the prophet" reflects a common expectation among the Jewish people for a great prophet, similar to Moses, who would arise before or alongside the Messiah (see [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses") and [John 6:14](/john/6-14 "John 6:14 - The Prophet Who Is To Come")). While the crowd had just shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David" ([Matthew 21:9](/matthew/21-9 "Matthew 21:9 - The Son of David Acclamation")), indicating some messianic hope, their understanding of the Messiah was often tied to a political deliverer who would overthrow Roman rule. Jesus' actions and teachings, while authoritative and miraculous, did not fully align with these political expectations. Thus, "the prophet" was a safer, more understandable category for them, acknowledging His divine authority and miraculous power without necessarily committing to the full, and perhaps misunderstood, implications of "Messiah" or "King." It was a high honor, but still a limited one, reflecting their incomplete grasp of His true identity.

**What is the significance of Jesus being from 'Nazareth of Galilee'?**

Answer: The mention of "Nazareth of Galilee" highlights Jesus' humble and unexpected origins, which often caused skepticism among those in Judea (cf. [John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Nathanael's Question About Nazareth"), "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"). Nazareth was a small, obscure town, and Galilee was a region often looked down upon by the religious elite in Jerusalem. This detail underscores that God often works through unexpected means and places, challenging human preconceptions about where the Messiah or a great prophet should come from. It also fulfills Old Testament prophecies that, while not explicitly naming Nazareth, spoke of the Messiah's humble beginnings or association with Galilee (e.g., [Isaiah 9:1-2](/isaiah/9-1-2 "Isaiah 9:1-2 - Light in Galilee")). For Matthew, it also serves to reinforce Jesus' genuine humanity and His connection to the common people, contrasting with the grandeur of Jerusalem.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 21:11, though presenting a limited understanding of Jesus by the multitude, points profoundly to His Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus is indeed "the prophet," but He is the ultimate Prophet, the one to whom all previous prophets pointed and in whom all prophetic revelation culminates. Unlike the prophets of old who spoke *for* God, Jesus *is* God, the very Word made flesh ([John 1:1, 14](/john/1-1-14 "John 1:1, 14 - The Word Made Flesh")). He is the one Moses foretold in [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses"), the one who speaks with unparalleled authority, not merely saying "Thus says the Lord," but "Truly, truly, I say to you" ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Jesus' Authority to Give Life")). His prophetic ministry reached its zenith not just in His teachings, but in His ultimate revelation of God's love through His atoning death on the cross and His triumphant resurrection ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). As the Christ, He is not only Prophet but also Priest and King, fulfilling all the offices of salvation, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")) and reigning as Lord over all creation ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus is Lord")). The crowd's partial recognition foreshadows the full revelation of Jesus as the Christ, the Savior of the world, whose identity transcends all human categories and expectations.

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

John 6:14

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

Luke 7:16

And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

John 7:40

Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

Matthew 2:23

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

John 9:17

They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

Acts 7:37

This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

Deuteronomy 18:15

¶ The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;