Luke 19:28-44
King Comes to Jerusalem
Read the passage
28After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent out two of His disciples,
30saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.
31If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32So those who were sent went out and found it just as Jesus had told them.
33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34“The Lord needs it,” they answered.
35Then they led the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks over it, and put Jesus on it.
36As He rode along, the people spread their cloaks on the road.
37And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen:
38“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!”
40“I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”
41As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it
42and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes.
43For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side.
44They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus goes on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. Near Bethphage and Bethany at the mount called Olivet, He sends two disciples to find a colt tied up, one on which no one has ever sat.
They bring it to Jesus, throw their cloaks on it, and set Jesus on it. As He rides, people spread their cloaks on the road and the whole multitude of disciples rejoices, praising God for the mighty works they have seen.
They cry out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some Pharisees tell Jesus to rebuke His disciples. Jesus answers that if they were silent, the stones would cry out.
As Jesus draws near and sees Jerusalem, He weeps over it. He says the city did not know the things that make for peace, and its enemies will surround and destroy it because it did not recognize the time of God's visitation.
The king has come near, and the city's response matters. Jesus accepts the disciples' praise rather than quieting it, yet he does not look on Jerusalem's rejection with satisfaction. The same Lord who deserves their welcome weeps over what refusing him will bring.
How We Know
Zechariah 9:9–10 announces Jerusalem's king as humble and riding on a donkey's colt, then speaks of his peace and far-reaching rule. Luke describes Jesus riding a colt while the disciples acclaim him as king. The prophetic passage helps explain the meaning of that arrival, beyond the choice of an animal for travel.
Questions
1 What animal does Jesus ride into Jerusalem?
AnswerHe rides a colt on which no one has ever sat, fulfilling the symbolic humility of the promised king's arrival.
2 What do the disciples praise God for?
AnswerThey praise God for the mighty works they have seen and announce blessing on the King who comes in the Lord's name.
3 Why do some Pharisees object?
AnswerThey want Jesus to silence the disciples' praise. Jesus says creation itself would cry out if the disciples became silent.
4 Why does Jesus weep over Jerusalem?
AnswerHe weeps because the city does not recognize what makes for peace or the time of God's visitation, and judgment is coming.
What This Means for Us
The disciples praise their king while he weeps over Jerusalem. His grief does not cancel their praise; it shows the mercy of the one they are praising. He sees the coming judgment and mourns the city's refusal to receive peace.
Families can celebrate Jesus without using religious excitement to avoid grief or repentance. The King deserves praise, and His tears teach us to care about people who do not yet recognize Him.
Prayer
King Jesus, rule our household with Your peace. Keep our praise from becoming performance, open our eyes to Your visitation, and give us tears and patience for people who resist Your mercy. Amen.