Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 12:12 - 12:19
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_12:12-19
12On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel." 14Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, 15"Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." 16These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. 17So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. 18For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. 19So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him."
Joh_12:12-19 This is John's version of Jesus' triumphant entry to Jerusalem (cf. Mat_21:1-11; Mar_11:1-11; Luk_19:29-38).
Joh_12:12 "the large crowd who had come to the feast" There were three required feast days for Jewish males (cf. Exo_23:14-17; Leviticus 23; Deu_16:16). The lifetime desire of the Jews who lived outside of Palestine (Diaspora) was to attend a feast in Jerusalem. During these set feasts, Jerusalem swelled from three to five times her normal population. This phrase refers to this vast number of curious pilgrims who heard of Jesus and wanted to see Him (cf. Joh_11:56).
Joh_12:13 "the branches of palm trees" This is an unusual Greek phrase for palm branches. Some believe that at one time palms grew on the slopes of the Mount of Olives (i.e., Josephus), while others believe they were imported from Jericho. They seem to have been a symbol for victory or triumph (cf. Rev_7:9). They were used every year in the ritual of the Feast of Tabernacles (cf. Lev_23:40) and the Passover (tradition from Maccabean period).
▣ "began to shout" This is an imperfect tense which represents (1) repeated action in past time or (2) the beginning of an action in past time.
▣ "Hosanna" This term meant "save now" or "save please" (cf. Psa_118:25-26). During the Passover ritual the recitation of the Hillel Psalms (cf. Psalms 113-118) occurred while the pilgrims were marching to the Temple. Many of these actions and phrases were repeated every year during the feast of Passover. But this particular year they found their ultimate meaning in Jesus! The crowd sensed this. The Pharisees recognized this.
▣ "He who comes in the name of the Lord" This is exactly what Jesus has been claiming. He was the sent One! He represented YHWH.
NASB "even the King of Israel"
NKJV, NRSV,
TEV, NJB "the King of Israel"
This phrase was not part of the Psalm, but was added by the crowd. It seems to be a direct reference to Jesus as the Messianic King promised in 2 Samuel 7 (cf. Joh_1:49; Joh_19:19).
Joh_12:14 "a young donkey" Donkeys were the royal military mount of Israel1 Kings (cf. 1Ki_1:33; 1Ki_1:38; 1Ki_1:44). Only the king rode on his donkey, therefore, it was very important that Jesus rode on a donkey that had never been ridden before (cf. Mar_11:2).
Joh_12:14-15 "as it is written" This is a quote from Zec_9:9. The colt of the donkey speaks not only of Messianic kingship but also of humility. Jesus did not come as the conquering military figure of Jewish expectation, but the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 riding on the colt of a donkey.
Joh_12:16 "These things His disciples did not understand at the first" This is another eyewitness, painful memory of John. It is a recurrent theme (cf. Joh_2:22; Joh_10:6; Joh_16:18; Mar_9:32; Luk_2:50; Luk_9:45; Luk_18:34). Only after the Ascension and Pentecost are their spiritual eyes fully opened.
▣ "but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered" This was one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit (cf. Joh_14:26; Joh_2:22).
This verse also shows that the Gospel writers structured their Gospels from personal experience of the resurrected Christ. The Synoptics present Jesus in historical development and hide his glory until the climax of their presentations, but John writes his entire Gospel in light of the glorified Messiah. The Gospels reflect the later memories and faith community needs of these inspired men. Therefore, there are two historical settings (Jesus' and the Gospel writers'), both of which are inspired.
▣ "glorified" See note at Joh_1:14.
Joh_12:17 See hyperlink at Joh_1:8. See Contextual Insights, C.
Joh_12:19 "the Pharisees said to one another" This is another prophetic foreshadowing. It relates to (1) Jews, Joh_11:48; Joh_12:11 and (2) Gentiles, Joh_12:20-23. It reflects two historical settings: Jesus' life and the early church.