Holy Week · The Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday)
John 12:12-19
The Triumphal Entry
March 29, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!” (John 12:15)
The next day the scene changes. The narrator picks up the story from the point of view of the growing Passover crowds in Jerusalem. The crowd received news that Jesus was on his way into the city (v. 12). How this news reached them the text does not say—until later (vv. 17–18). Not even the reader has been told in so many words that Jerusalem was Jesus’ destination—though an attentive reader would have guessed. Before analyzing the reasons for the crowd’s action or attempting to link the scene with the preceding one, the narrator simply describes, as briefly as possible, what the crowd did and what Jesus did. As they came out to meet him with palm branches, shouting praises to God and blessings on their coming king, Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it (vv. 13–14a). That is all there is to the account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The rest (vv. 14b–19) is commentary.
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Commentary
Commentary on John 12:12-27; 19:16b-22 Working Preacher
An exegetical commentary on Jesus's conscious agency entering Jerusalem.
John 12 Commentary: The Hour Has Come Enduring Word
A verse by verse evangelical commentary on the chapter's turn toward the cross.
John 12 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse by verse devotional notes on the triumphal entry and its meaning.
Commentary on John 12 by Matthew Henry Blue Letter Bible
A classic Puritan-era commentary on the crowd's welcome of the coming king.
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Questions preachers ask
How does John tell the Triumphal Entry?
The crowds meet Jesus with palms crying Hosanna, and John sees Zechariah's humble king entering his city toward the hour of his glory.
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