Advent · Year A
First Sunday in Advent
November 30, 2025
Overview & Insights
“Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey.” (Matthew 21:5)
Jesus enters Jerusalem in kingly fashion (21:1–11), opening a new section of Matthew focused on Jesus’ ministry to crowds and confrontations with Jewish leaders in Jerusalem (chaps. 21–23). Matthew ties the preceding healing of two blind men (20:29–34) and this Jerusalem entry together by emphasizing Jesus as the “Son of David” in both (20:30–31; 21:9). After an extended section featuring Jesus and his disciples (16:21–20:28), the crowds reappear in these passages (20:29; 21:9, 11). Matthew distinguishes the Jerusalem crowds that ask about Jesus’ identity from the Galilean crowd that accompanies Jesus into the city. In terms of that identity, Matthew emphasizes that Jesus’ kingship (explicated by Zech. 9:9) promotes a peaceable and humble reign (21:5).
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 21:1-11 Working Preacher
Titled and written directly on Matthew 21:1-11, the same triumphal-entry text LSB reads on Advent 1; on Jesus choreographing his entry as Israel's king.
Matthew 21:1-11 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Doug Bratt's commentary on the 'Who is this Jesus?' question raised by the crowd's Hosanna and the prophet-not-king answer in v.11.
Matthew 21 Commentary Precept Austin
Covers the triumphal entry (vv.1-11), the sending for the colt and its fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9.
Matthew 21 - Coffman's Commentaries StudyLight
Has a dedicated 'Verses 1-11' section working through the donkey, the crowd's cloaks, and the Hosanna shouts.
Matthew 21 Commentary: The Beginning of Jesus' Last Week Enduring Word
Opens with the triumphal entry (vv.1-11) as the start of Jesus' last week, tying it to Zechariah's prophecy of the humble king.
Matthew 21:5 Commentaries Bible Hub
Aggregated classic commentaries on the 'behold, your king comes to you, humble' verse quoted from Zechariah.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Questions preachers ask
Why does the one-year lectionary open Advent with Palm Sunday's text?
The historic Advent 1 Gospel is the Triumphal Entry, setting the season's theme at the start: the King comes to his people gently, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy, and the church cries Hosanna to welcome him.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Matthew 21:1-11
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.