A free chronological video Bible study

Following Jesus · Part Five · Message Sixty-Nine

Hosanna to the Son of David

Jesus is the promised Son of David who answers the cry “Save us” not through violent conquest, but by entering Jerusalem in humility to give his life and bring God’s peace.

Watch the Message Return to the Series

Part Five · The Hour Has Come

Watch the message

Archive recording: Palm Sunday
April 13, 2025

Lesson overview

The final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry is the climax of the Gospel story, but it can only be understood within the longer biblical story.

God promises worldwide blessing through Abraham, establishes a people who belong to him, and locates the royal hope in Judah. Israel later rejects the Lord’s kingship in favor of a king like the nations. Saul fails, David receives the promise of an enduring throne, Solomon turns toward idolatry, the kingdom divides, and exile leaves the people without a Davidic monarch. Zechariah nevertheless announces that Jerusalem’s righteous, humble King will come riding on a donkey and proclaim peace to the nations.

Matthew presents Jesus consciously fulfilling that promise. From Bethany and Bethphage he approaches the Mount of Olives, sends for a donkey and her colt, and enters amid cloaks and cut branches. The crowd reaches for the Passover language of Psalm 118: “Hosanna”—Lord, save—and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They identify Jesus as David’s Son and rightly welcome him as King, but expectations of national liberation cannot contain the salvation he brings. He comes in peace, not with chariot and battle bow, and will give his life as a ransom.

Jesus is the promised Son of David who answers the cry “Save us” not through violent conquest, but by entering Jerusalem in humility to give his life and bring God’s peace.

Matthew 21:1–17, with Luke 19:39–44

Why spend a week with the final week?

Luke adds the royal procession’s grief. Jesus refuses to silence his disciples, yet weeps over Jerusalem because it does not recognize God’s visitation or the way of peace. He foretells the city’s coming devastation. In Matthew’s account, Jesus enters the temple, welcomes the blind and lame, and receives children’s continued “Hosanna” while the chief priests and scribes object. The King ends the day outside the city at Bethany. Praise surrounds him, but the week will expose misunderstanding, rejection, and abandonment before the resurrection reveals the victory he came to win.

The series opens by noting the Gospels’ concentration of detail around Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.

Holy Week is placed within Scripture’s movement from creation and rebellion toward redemption and new creation.

Judah’s blessing introduces royal authority, worldwide obedience, and abundant kingdom imagery.

Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

Matthew 21:9

Genesis 49:8–12

Kings, donkeys, and a kingdom divided

Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy show God redeeming Israel and defining a king who remains under God’s word.

Judges and 1 Samuel expose Israel’s idolatry and desire for a king like the nations; Saul fails and David receives the enduring-throne promise.

Royal riding imagery accompanies David and Solomon, while Solomon’s unfaithfulness leads toward division and the loss of both kingdoms.

Ezekiel’s temple vision and Judah’s exile intensify the hope of Zechariah’s humble, peace-bringing King.

Exodus 6:6–8; Leviticus 26:11–13

Praise in the temple, then Bethany

Jesus sends for the animals and enters Jerusalem as Matthew explicitly invokes Zechariah 9.

Cloaks, branches, Davidic language, and Psalm 118 form a royal welcome whose request is truer and deeper than the crowd yet knows.

Luke preserves the Pharisees’ objection, Jesus’ answer about crying stones, and his lament over the city and its approaching siege.

Jesus heals in the temple, defends children’s praise from Psalm 8, withdraws to Bethany, and proceeds toward the cross his followers do not yet comprehend.

Study and reflection

Read, trace, and live the teaching.

This lesson belongs within the whole Gospel story. Read the principal passage slowly, follow the supporting texts in their own contexts, and notice how the words and works of Jesus reveal the kingdom he brings.

Read the passage

Matthew 21:1–17, with Luke 19:39–44

Trace the promise

Genesis 12:1–3; 17:7–8; Genesis 49:8–12; Exodus 6:6–8; Leviticus 26:11–13; Deuteronomy 17:14–20

See the Gospel connection

Judges 2:10–23; 5:10–11; 1 Samuel 8:4–22; 15:10–29; 2 Samuel 7:8–16; 1 Kings 1:32–40; 11:1–13; Ezekiel 10:18–22; 11:22–25; Zechariah 9:9–10; Psalm 8:1–2; 118:19–29

Follow the truth

Matthew 20:17–19, 28; 21:1–17; Luke 19:28–44; John 12:12–19

Scripture guide

Read the whole teaching in context.

These are the principal passages developed in this message and the texts that clarify its place within the mission of Jesus.

The passage in context