The Crucifixion Week, Part 1

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

John's account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem is found in Jn. 12:12ff. Note John 12:1 and tell what feast was near, and how near.

In what chapter does John first tell of the coming of that feast in that particular year? (Hint: it's before chapter 12!)

How much time transpires from the beginning of chapter 13 to the end of chapter 17?

What happens in chapter 18?

Where was Jesus when the colt was brought to him? (Luke 19:29-35, Mark 11:1-7) What direction was this from Jerusalem?

In whose home had he been? (Jn. 12:1ff, Mt. 26:6ff) Who came to see not only Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead? (Jn. 12:9)

John says it was “on the morrow” that a great multitude heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. (Jn. 12:12) Why were they in the area? What did they do?

How long was it from the time Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey to the time he was crucified?

In what manner was he received by the people when he rode into Jerusalem upon the donkey?

What did the people shout as Jesus rode in? Who do you think they supposed him to be?


In Mt 21:15, what was it that particularly concerned the chief priests and the scribes?

What does “Hosanna” mean, and what verse in Psalm 118 contains the basis for this expression?

Using all of the accounts, describe the details of Jesus reception as he rode into Jerusalem on the donkey.

Is the reception given Jesus on this occasion consistent with the rest of what we read about Jesus' reception among the people? There were two groups of people with very different attitudes toward Jesus. Who were these two groups? (Jn 6:5, 14-15, 7:40-41, 45- 49)

The religious leaders of Jerusalem seemed truly offended by the adulation of the multitudes that followed Jesus. Matthew describes them as being “moved with indignation.” Based on Luke's account , where was it that the multitudes began to rejoice? What is the exact phrase Luke uses with reference to these people?

In Jn. 12:17, what are told about some of the multitude?

Were there some who now gathered to Jesus who had not been present at Lazarus' resurrection but had only heard about it? (Jn. 12:18)

Had Jesus been to Jerusalem before this occasion? Had he entered the city in such a manner as this? (Cf. Jn. 7:10)

Why did Jesus go into the city in such a manner on this occasion? (Hint: Jn. 2:4, 7:30, 8:20, 12:23, 13:1, 17:1)

It is at this point in Luke's account that the Pharisees are disturbed. What did they say, and to whom? What was the response?

Luke 19:41 says, “And when he drew nigh, he saw the city and wept over it.” What sort of view would he have had of the city? Remember the geography. You may need to consult a Bible atlas.

Matthew describes Jesus' entry into the temple. Immediately after relating that Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of the dove sellers, Matthew writes of some who came to Jesus. Who came to him, where did they come to him, and what did he do for them?

Who witnessed this and how did they feel about these things? What did they say to Jesus? What was Jesus' response?

What does indignation mean? These people, the Pharisees and the scribes and the chief priests, had enough evidence before them to know that Jesus was the Messiah. And yet they seemed truly indignant when Jesus received praises as if he were the Messiah. What does this tell you about indignation as a measure of rightness?

Read Ex. 30:11-15. The tax there described was to be paid on the occasion of a census. But it seems to have become an annual tax by N.T. times, and inasmuch as Jews from outside Judea would carry various currencies, they would go to moneychangers for the requisite “shekel of the sanctuary.” The moneychangers would charge a premium for their own profit.

 “the business of exchangnig foreign coins for various purposes became a lucrative one, the exchangers exacting whatever fee they might.” (ISBE, ed. James Orr p. 2081)

As Jesus overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of the dove sellers, what did he say?

Is this the same incident described in John 2:13ff?