The entry into Jerusalem
Matthew 21:1-11
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a young donkey. People spread their cloaks and branches on the road and hailed him as the Son of David. This is what the Church remembers on Palm Sunday. Matthew 21:1-11
The story, in plain words
Near Jerusalem, by the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples to a village. Matthew 21:1
He told them they would find a donkey tied there with her colt, and to bring them to him. Matthew 21:2
If anyone said anything to them, they were to answer that the Lord needed them. Matthew 21:3
This fulfilled what a prophet had announced, one of those who spoke in God’s name. He had said the king would come meek, riding on a donkey and her colt.…
The rest of the story is part of the subscription.
See the mapWhat the Bible says
Matthew 21:1-11
1And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto mount Olivet, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2Saying to them: Go ye into the village that is over against you, and immediately you shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them and bring them to me. 3And if any man shall say anything to you, say ye, that the Lord hath need of them: and forthwith he will let them go. 4Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5Tell ye the daughter of Sion: Behold thy king cometh to thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of her that is used to the yoke. 6And the disciples going, did as Jesus commanded them. 7And they brought the ass and the colt, and laid their garments upon them, and made him sit thereon. 8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way: and others cut boughs from the trees, and strewed them in the way: 9And 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. 10And when he was come into Jerusalem, the whole city was moved, saying: Who is this? 11And the people said: This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth of Galilee.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
To talk about together
- What do you think people thought when they saw Jesus coming on a young donkey?
- On Palm Sunday we bring palms to church. What does it mean to you to welcome Jesus?
- For the child: if Jesus came to your town, how would you welcome him?