Matthew 21:9

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.

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

  • Messianic Acclamation: The title "Son of David" was a universally understood designation for the Messiah, the promised King from David's lineage. The crowds' cry signifies their belief that Jesus was indeed the Christ.
  • Divine Authority and Blessing: The phrase "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord" is a direct quote from Psalm 118:26, traditionally used to welcome pilgrims to Jerusalem. Here, it is applied to Jesus, acknowledging His divine commission and authority.
  • Praise and Petition: "Hosanna" originally meant "Save, we pray!" or "Save now!" but had evolved into an exclamation of praise and adoration, signifying a desperate plea for deliverance combined with joyous welcome.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This event powerfully demonstrates how Jesus' life and actions precisely fulfilled Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, solidifying His claim as the Christ.

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.

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.
  • 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;

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