John 12

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

12 The next day a large crowd was in Jerusalem for Passover. When they heard that Jesus was coming for the festival, 13 *Ps 118.25,26; 1 Macc 13.51.they took palm branches and went out to greet him.*12.13 took palm branches and went out to greet him: This was one way the people welcomed a famous person. They shouted,

"Hooray!*12.13 Hooray: This translates a word that can mean "please save us." But it is most often used as a shout of praise to God.

God bless the one who comes

in the name of the Lord!

God bless the King

of Israel!"

14 Jesus found a donkey and rode on it, just as the Scriptures say,

15 *Zec 9.9."People of Jerusalem,

don’t be afraid!

Your King is now coming,

and he is riding

on a donkey."

16 At first, Jesus' disciples did not understand. But after he had been given his glory,*12.16 had been given his glory: See the note at 7.39. they remembered all this. Everything had happened exactly as the Scriptures said it would.

17,18 A crowd had come to meet Jesus because they had seen him call Lazarus out of the tomb. They kept talking about him and this miracle.*12.17,18 miracle: See the note at 2.11.19 But the Pharisees said to each other, "There is nothing we can do! Everyone in the world is following Jesus."