Matthew 21:11

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 21:11 captures a pivotal moment during Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, often celebrated as Palm Sunday. As Jesus rode into the city, the entire populace was stirred, prompting questions about His identity. This verse records the crowd's resounding answer, identifying Him as "Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."

Context

This declaration follows immediately after Jesus' dramatic and symbolic entrance into Jerusalem, where crowds laid cloaks and palm branches on His path, shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (See Matthew 21:9). The city was abuzz, and the question, "Who is this?" (Matthew 21:10), was met with this collective identification. It reflects the public's perception of Jesus based on His miracles, authoritative teaching, and profound impact, yet it hints at an incomplete understanding of His full messianic role.

Key Themes

  • Jesus as Prophet: The multitude recognized Jesus primarily as a prophet, a figure deeply revered in Israelite history. Prophets were seen as spokesmen for God, revealing divine truth and often foretelling future events. This title acknowledged His powerful words, miraculous deeds, and His role as a teacher of God's will, echoing the prophecy of a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).
  • Humble Origins: Identifying Jesus as "of Nazareth of Galilee" underscores His humble beginnings. Nazareth was a small, obscure town, often viewed with disdain (cf. John 1:46: "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?"). This highlights the contrast between His humble upbringing and the profound impact He had, fulfilling prophecies that the Messiah would come from unexpected places.
  • Public Recognition: The verse emphasizes the widespread public recognition of Jesus, even if their understanding was limited. The "multitude" represents a significant portion of the populace acknowledging His unique status and divine anointing.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "prophet" is prophētēs (προφήτης), which literally means "one who speaks forth" or "proclaims." While it can include foretelling the future, its primary meaning is to speak on behalf of God, delivering His message. The crowd's use of this term indicates their belief that Jesus was a divinely appointed messenger, acting with God's authority, much like the great prophets of old.

Practical Application

Matthew 21:11 challenges us to consider our own understanding of Jesus. While the multitude recognized Him as a prophet, many did not grasp His full identity as the Messiah, the Son of God, who came not just to speak for God but to be God's ultimate revelation and sacrifice. Today, we are called to move beyond merely acknowledging Jesus' historical significance or prophetic teaching. We are invited to recognize Him as the risen Lord and Savior, whose authority extends over all creation. Our response to Jesus should be one of complete surrender and worship, embracing not just His prophetic words but His saving work on the cross and His glorious resurrection.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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;

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