Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Ver. 13. Took branches of palm trees] Plutarch writeth that the Babylonians make 360 benefits of the palm tree, and therefore do highly honour it. Pintus upon Daniel telleth us, that the palm tree will not grow in a rich ground, but in a light and sandy; and if the soil be rich and fertile, they must cast salt and ashes at the root, to diminish the strength of the ground. Sure it is, that if prosperity be not seasoned with the salt of grace it will be unfruitful and unprofitable.
Hosanna, Blessed is the King, &c.] This shows they were well seen in David's psalms, which are, saith Chrysostom, a rich storehouse of all good doctrines: ταντων αγαθων διδαγματων ταμιειον. And they are so penned, saith Athanasius, that every man may think they speak de se, in re sun, of himself, and for his particular purpose; which of other parts of Scripture cannot be affirmed.