Notes on Luke 19:28-21:38

Jesus' Public Ministry in and Near Jerusalem - Luke 19:28-21:38

Jerusalem would be the place of Jesus's final work as Savior. He would openly preach and teach before offering his life for the salvation of his people.

Jesus Enters Jerusalem as the Servant King - Luke 19:28-44

Jesus entered Jerusalem with a crowd of his disciples. They praised and honored him as the promised Messiah King.

Luke 19:28

said these things. The parable in vv. 11-27. Jerusalem. Jesus was moving forward toward his impending death (see note on 9:51).

Luke 19:29

Bethphage and Bethany. The location of Bethphage is uncertain. But it was close to Bethany, which sat on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives. It was about three miles outside Jerusalem (v. 28).

Luke 19:30

you will find. Jesus displayed his divine knowledge (5:22; 6:8; 7:39-40; 22:13, 21, 34) and kingly authority. never been ridden. Could indicate it was never used for secular purposes, and so it was fit for Jesus' sacred use (see Num. 19:2; Deut. 21:3). It would have been difficult to ride an unbroken colt into a noisy crowd (vv. 35-37). Perhaps Jesus healed it of its fear, making it useful and showing the gentle King is he toward his people (Zech. 9:9; Matt. 11:29-30).

Luke 19:32-34

Events unfolded as Jesus said they would (vv. 30-31). The disciples who found the colt and those who owned the colt both followed Jesus. The disciples obeyed his commands and the owners met his need (see v. 35).

Luke 19:35-36

cloaks upon the colt . . . road. This was an Old Testament sign of submission to Israel's king (1 Kings 1:32-34; 2 Kings 9:13). This also fulfilled the prophecy of the Messiah entering Jerusalem humbly on a colt (Zech. 9:9). Luke emphasized from the beginning of his Gospel that Jesus was the Son of David and the promised Messiah (1:26-27, 23-33).

Luke 19:37

Mount of Olives. The place God's glory was promised to return after departing the temple (Ezek. 43:1). Also the location where God promised Messiah would set his feet (Zech. 14:4). rejoice and praise God. Jesus' disciples remembered all of the miracles God accomplished through Jesus. His ministry was marked by powerful works and preaching (24:19). This brought joy to the crowd.

Luke 19:38

The disciples' (v. 37) saying is based on Ps. 118:26. It was used to greet those traveling to Jerusalem for the holy feasts. By adding the word king they indicated their belief that Jesus' royal purpose. However, they could not understand the nature of his Messianic kingship until after his death and resurrection (Mark 9:32; John 12:16; 13:7). peace . . . glory. Similar to the praise sung by angels at Jesus' birth (2:14). However, the emphasis shifted from earth to heaven. God's plan for salvation is being fulfilled.

Luke 19:39

Many of the religious leaders in Israel had long opposed Jesus. They could not deny that he was from God. But like the all the prophets before him, they did not like his message (11:47-51). They did not welcome his critique of their lives and his calls for repentance (11:37-45). Moreover, they did not accept him as the Messiah King (v. 4; 20:9-18; 22:67-71). Pharisees. See note on 5:17.

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