Big Idea: Jesus begins passion week with a deliberate prophetic symbolic action, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. In so doing, he reverses the messianic secret, yet at the same time shows himself as the humble Messiah.
Understanding the Text
The journey to Jerusalem has been the focus for some time (8:27–10:52), and Jesus now enters the final week of his life on earth. Passion week begins to unfold, and every event progressively uncovers his true messianic nature and the coming cross. Jesus confronts the world and its sin as the Son of David (10:47–48) and as David’s Lord (12:35–37).
Interpretive Insights
11:1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. The road to Jerusalem has ended; they have arrived at th…