The Triumphal Entry
Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey as crowds wave palm branches and shout 'Hosanna!' fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah.
Matthew 21:1-11, Zechariah 9:9
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The Story
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.'
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 'Say to Daughter Zion, "See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."'
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.
A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!'
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, 'Who is this?'
The crowds answered, 'This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.'
Jesus Rides into Jerusalem
Kids Version
It was almost time for the special Passover holiday. Jesus and His friends were walking toward Jerusalem.
Jesus told two disciples, 'Go into that village. You'll find a donkey tied up with her baby. Bring them to me.'
They did exactly what Jesus said. They put their coats on the donkey for Jesus to sit on.
Then something AMAZING happened! As Jesus rode toward Jerusalem, HUGE crowds came out!
People spread their coats on the road like a carpet. Others cut branches from palm trees and waved them in the air!
'HOSANNA!' they shouted. 'Blessed is the King who comes in God's name! HOSANNA in the highest!'
It was like a parade! Everyone was cheering for Jesus!
When Jesus entered the city, everyone was asking, 'Who IS this?'
'It's JESUS!' the crowds said. 'The prophet from Nazareth!'
Hundreds of years before, a prophet named Zechariah had written that the King would come riding on a donkey. And here was Jesus, doing exactly that!
The people wanted Jesus to be their king. They didn't know that Jesus WAS a king—but not the kind they expected. He came to save people from sin, not from the Romans.
We celebrate this day as Palm Sunday—the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as King!
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Scripture — Matthew 21:1-11 (KJV)
1And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon .
8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
10And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
Memory Verse
“And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,”
— Matthew 21:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Triumphal Entry” in the Bible?
Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey as crowds wave palm branches and shout 'Hosanna!' fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. This story is found in Matthew 21:1-11, Zechariah 9:9.
Where is “The Triumphal Entry” found in the Bible?
“The Triumphal Entry” is found in Matthew 21:1-11, Zechariah 9:9, in the book of Matthew.
What can children learn from “The Triumphal Entry”?
This story teaches children about Jesus as King, Prophecy fulfilled, Praise. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while crowds cheered and waved palm branches! They shouted 'Hosanna!' and treated Him like a king!