The Triumphal Entry (Mark 11:1-11 *, Luke 19:23-38; John 12:12-19). Mt. curiously misrepresents the poetic description of one animal in Zechariah 9:9 by making Jesus send for two, and even perhaps ride upon both, though thereon (Matthew 21:7) may refer to the garments. The intimation to the owner that Jesus would speedily return the borrowed colt (Mark 11:3) is changed to an assertion that the owner would at once comply with the Master's demand (Matthew 21:3). Mk.'s layers of leaves (or straw) now becomes branches from the trees; in Jn. these are further defined as palm branches, and are carried in the hands. For the scene, cf. 1Ma_13:51. Mt., like Lk., regards Hosanna as a cry of acclamation, Welcome! or Hail! hence to the son of David; this is nearer the original meaning than Mk.'s Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21:10 b and Matthew 21:11 are peculiar to Mt. This is a prophet does not involve any contradiction of Matthew 21:9; it is the obvious answer of the Galileans to the Jerusalem inquirers.
Matthew 21:1-11
1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them,Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.