Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are available here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Happy Palm Sunday, and thanks for joining our study. Because of you, my loyal readers, I am privileged to write my sixth Townhall Bible study about this significant day that is recorded in all four Gospels:
Matthew (21:1-11) — Mark (11: 1-11) — Luke (19:28-41) — John (12:12-19).
After reviewing my previous Palm Sunday studies, I am somewhat confident that all the details we are supposed to know have been covered. If you are interested, check out the archive from 2020 – 2024:
Vol. 6 - 'Palm Sunday' Edition
Vol. 54 - The Truth About Palm Sunday
Vol. 108 - Why Palm Sunday Matters
Vol. 159 - Five Reasons Why Palm Sunday Is Meaningful
Vol. 210 - The Politics of Palm Sunday
For the sake of new readers, given my Jewish birth and upbringing, I always confess that until my mid-20s, I thought Palm Sunday was about glorifying palm trees. That is not a joke. Of course, palm trees WERE involved since palm fronds were used to welcome and glorify Jesus. Nonetheless, I blame youthful ignorance because, at that time in my world, it didn't matter — but it sure matters now!
Here is a test: Ask your Jewish friends about the meaning of Palm Sunday and leave a comment or email me. Don’t be surprised by the answers or lack thereof.
For believers in Jesus Christ, today marks the beginning of Holy Week. Jesus entered Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, knowing that five days later, He would be crucified to death and resurrected on the following Sunday, the third day.
Here is a little backstory for those unfamiliar. Jesus had journeyed to Jerusalem after performing his most profound miracle — raising Lazarus from the dead after four days in the tomb. (See Vol. 52). The news went viral, resulting in an increasing number of Jews in ancient Israel believing that He was the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus’s popularity meant that He posed a threat to Jewish leaders — the Pharisees, who oversaw Jewish law, holiness, and temple taxes. In political terms, Palm Sunday was a power struggle, as recorded in the Gospel of John:
"Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin [their supreme court]. 'What are we accomplishing?' they asked. 'Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation'" (John 11:47-48).
The Pharisees said it was “our” temple and “our” nation, a prideful statement that did not please the Almighty since it was HIS temple and nation.
The Jewish authorities were so paranoid about losing power that they conspired to rid themselves of this pesky itinerant rabbi who had recently raised Lazarus from death and earlier had performed various miracles. John wrote:
“So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him, many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him" (John 12: 9-10).
That verse reminds me of what my mother, Gloria, said when I was in sixth grade and asked her, “Why don’t we believe in Jesus?” Answer: “Because we are Jews, and Jews don’t believe in Jesus.” Gloria Cohen Kahn’s answer explained nothing and everything, especially in the context of Palm Sunday.
Then and now, powerholders often seek to denigrate, discredit, or destroy challengers whom they deem inferior or perceive as frauds. Therefore, the most troubling problem for the Jewish authorities was John's description of the people in the streets of Jerusalem hailing Jesus with palm branches, saying, “Blessed is the King of Israel!” Thus, Palm Sunday is known as the “Triumphal Entry.”
John continued his “reporting”:
“Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, ‘See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!’” (John 12:17-19).
The Gospel of Matthew records:
"The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!’ 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ 'Hosanna in the highest heaven!' When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, 'Who is this?' The crowds answered, 'This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee’” (Matthew 21:9-11).
You might ask why Matthew wrote, “Who is this?” It appeared that many residents of Jerusalem were unfamiliar with Jesus compared to the pilgrims who followed him into the city after He raised Lazarus.
Furthermore, the Jews of ancient Israel, especially their leaders, were acutely aware of the Messianic prophecies in the Hebrew scriptures. So, when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, He signaled His identity to the jubilant crowd through the prophetic scripture, subtitled, “The Coming of Zion’s King.” The prophet Zechariah wrote this passage approximately 500 years before the birth of Jesus:
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). About that prophetic fulfillment John wrote:
“At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him” (John 12:16).
My favorite verse from the Triumphal Entry was mentioned in last week’s study, “The Meaning of ‘Rock’ in the New Testament.” The verse was only recorded in the Gospel of Luke. The people hailed Jesus, saying:
“‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out’” (Luke 19:38-40).
In modern terms, Jesus's response is a “mic drop moment.” I wrote in the “rock” study:
“Jesus knew that stones were God’s creation — pieces of The Rock. Thus, if the people were silenced, creation would proclaim The Truth.”
“The Truth” rides a lowly donkey in the Triumphal Entry. Jesus is Lord, the King of Israel, entering the Holy City to be crowned with thorns and die on the cross for our sake. Jesus knew the tremendous energy, power, hope, and love He transmitted to His people could not be contained.
Be confident knowing that the power of Jesus will never be contained. You can harness that power in your life if you believe in and worship Him as your Lord and Savior.
In His Name, I wish you a blessed Holy Week. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57 –113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit, dedicated to building a future permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. Join our effort! In July, the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit hosted a four-day exhibit (with a “Chosen” VIP guest) at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN. Some new news. Contact: <MyraAdams01@gmail.com>