Luke 19:28-40 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

When he had thus spoken When he had finished the preceding parable in Zaccheus's house; he went before Continued his journey, and led the way as foremost of the company, thus showing his readiness to suffer; ascending up to Jerusalem Being determined to appear there at the approaching passover, though he well knew that he was to encounter persecution and death there. And when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany Both these villages being situated at the foot of the mount of Olives, and Jesus being between them, on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem, he might very properly be said to have been nigh to both, and nigh to Jerusalem, which was at the distance of two miles only: he sent two of his disciples, &c. See this paragraph explained, Matthew 21:1-16; Mark 11:1-10. The whole multitude began to praise God Speaking at once, as it seems, from a divine impulse words which most of them did not understand. Peace in heaven God being reconciled to man. Rebuke thy disciples Paying thee this immoderate honour. If these should hold their peace, the stones which lie before you would immediately cry out That is, God would raise up some still more unlikely instruments to declare his praise. Or, that he would, by a miracle, raise up others to glorify his name, rather than silence should be kept on this occasion. But though Jesus did not refuse the honours that were now paid him, he was far from assuming the dignity of an earthly prince, or any state pageantry whatsoever. On the contrary, he humbled himself exceedingly; his riding on an ass being an instance of great meekness, according to what was prophesied of him, Zechariah 9:9.