And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
And {G1161} the multitudes {G3793} that went before {G4254}, and {G2532} that followed {G190}, cried {G2896}, saying {G3004}, Hosanna {G5614} to the Son {G5207} of David {G1138}: Blessed {G2127} is he that cometh {G2064} in {G1722} the name {G3686} of the Lord {G2962}; Hosanna {G5614} in {G1722} the highest {G5310}.
The crowds ahead of him and behind shouted, "Please! Deliver us!" to the Son of David; "Blessed is he who comes in the name of ADONAI!" "You in the highest heaven! Please! Deliver us!"
The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
And the multitudes that went before him, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
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Psalms 118:24
This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. -
Psalms 118:26
Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. -
Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. -
John 12:13
Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed [is] the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. -
John 12:15
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. -
Matthew 23:39
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord. -
Luke 19:37
And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
Matthew 21:9 describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry: His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, often celebrated as Palm Sunday. As Jesus rode on a donkey, vast crowds enthusiastically welcomed Him, laying down cloaks and palm branches on the road. Their shouts of "Hosanna" and recognition of Him as the "Son of David" reveal their expectation of a messianic king.
Context
This verse immediately follows Jesus' instruction to His disciples to fetch a donkey and its colt, fulfilling an ancient prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. The timing is significant; it occurs just days before His crucifixion, during the Passover festival when Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims. The crowds' acclamation was a public declaration of Jesus' messianic identity, a recognition of Him as the long-awaited deliverer and King of Israel, though their understanding of His kingship might have been primarily political rather than spiritual.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "Hosanna" (hōsanna) is a transliteration of the Hebrew phrase hoshia na (הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא), meaning "save, we pray!" or "save now." While its original meaning was a plea, by the time of Jesus, it had become a shout of joyous praise and welcome, often associated with messianic expectation and deliverance. The repetition "Hosanna in the highest" elevates this cry of salvation and praise to God Himself in the heavens.
Practical Application
Matthew 21:9 reminds us of the importance of recognizing Jesus as Lord and King. Just as the crowds welcomed Him with praise, we are called to acknowledge His sovereignty in our lives. While their understanding of His mission was incomplete, their enthusiasm highlights the joy that comes from encountering God's presence. This verse also serves as a poignant reminder that public opinion can be fickle; the same crowds who cried "Hosanna" would, within days, be persuaded to cry "Crucify Him!" (see Matthew 27:22-23). Our faith, therefore, should be rooted in a deeper understanding and commitment to Christ, beyond fleeting emotions or popular sentiment.