Matthew 21:1

Nigh unto Jerusalem. [The Triumphal Entry, Matt. 21:1—Mark 11:1—Luke 19:29-44=John 12:12-19. Major comment: Matthew. See Betrayal, Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus; the Passion Week.] This was Sunday (see DA 569) before the Passover, which fell on Friday in a.d. 31 (see Additional Notes on ch. 26, Note 1). Jesus had arrived in Bethany, about 2 mi. from Jerusalem, the preceding Friday, and had rested there over the Sabbath. It was during the course of this visit that Simon entertained Jesus and Lazarus (see DA 557, 558; see on ch. 26:6). The account in John calls for this sequence of events (see John 12:1-19).

All four gospel writers record the Triumphal Entry, except for Simon’s feast the first specific incident all four mention since the Feeding of the Five Thousand. The account of the Triumphal Entry is given in its simplest form in John, and is related at greatest length by Luke. The details given by the four evangelists vary from writer to writer, indicating separate accounts, yet the accounts are not contradictory but rather complementary.

Preparations for the Triumphal Entry began, apparently, late in the morning, for it was about the time of the evening sacrifice, approximately 3:00 P.M., that Jesus reached the brow of Olivet overlooking Jerusalem and that events reached a climax (see DA 571). It was much later than that when He finally reached the Temple.

Bethphage. Except in a general way nothing is known of the location of this village.

It was doubtless situated somewhere on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, and probably not far from Bethany (see Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29). The name is Aramaic, and means “house of unripe figs.”

Mount of Olives. A low mountain ridge on the east side of Jerusalem, separated from the city of the Kidron Valley. It rises about 2,700 ft. (c. 823 m.) above sea level, approximately 250 ft. (c. 76 m.) higher than Jerusalem averages, and some 300 ft. (c. 91 m.) higher than the Temple plateau. Sometimes it is called Olivet (see 2 Sam. 15:30; Acts 1:12), which name is derived from the Latin of the Vulgate. Gethsemane was at or near the western foot of the Mount of Olives, opposite Jerusalem (see on Matt. 26:30, 36).

This is the first mention of the Mount of Olives in connection with the life of Jesus, though He no doubt spent the night here on previous visits to Jerusalem. See illustration facing p. 517.

Then sent Jesus. Whereas in the past Jesus has taken every precaution against any popular demonstration acknowledging Him as the Messiah (see on Matt. 14:22; Mark 1:25; John 6:15), He now not only encourages this very thing but takes the initiative in bringing it about. To be sure, the disciples and many of the people no doubt expected Jesus to set up His kingdom at this paschal season (see Matt. 20:20, 21). Any surprise the disciples may have experienced arose from the fact that Jesus now apparently reversed His former attitude toward publicity. This changed attitude must have filled the disciples with unwarranted enthusiasm and hope. They failed to understand the true significance of the event until after the resurrection (see John 12:16).

Two disciples. None of the gospel writers identifies either of these two.