Jesus and the Pilgrims for Passover (12:12-19)

Jesus and the Pilgrims for Passover (12:12-19)

J​ohn moved the scene from the quiet dinner in Bethany to the noisy public parade in Jerusalem. All four gospels have recorded this event and their accounts should be compared. This event was the only “public demonstration” our Lord permitted while He was ministering on earth.

His object was to accomplish the Old Testament prophecy (Zech. 9:9). The result was growing hostility from religious leaders and, finally, the Savior's crucifixion. The crowd of that day consisted of three different groups: (1) the Passover visitors from outside Judea (John 12:12, 18); (2) the local people who had witnessed the raising of Lazarus (John 12:17); and (3) the religious leaders who were greatly concerned about what Jesus might do at the feast (John 12:19). The people at each of the different feasts were on tiptoe with expectation, wondering if Jesus would show up and, if He did, what He would do. It appeared that Jesus was actually trying to incite a revolution and make Himself king, but that was not what He had in mind.

What did this event mean for Jesus? One thing is that it was a part of His obedience to the Father’s will. Zechariah (Zech. 9:9) predicted that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem in this manner, and He fulfilled the prophecy. The city of Jerusalem is also called “Daughter of Zion” (Jer. 4:31; Lam. 2:4, 8, 10). In fact, Jesus was openly telling the people that He is the King of Israel (John 1:49), the long-awaited Messiah. No doubt many of the pilgrims hoped that now He would triumph over the Romans and liberate the nation of Israel.

What did this demonstration mean for the Romans? No record is made of the Roman viewpoint, but it is certain that they watched very closely that day. During the annual Passover feast, some Jewish nationalists commonly tried to stir up the people, and they may have thought this parade was that kind of affair. I suspect some of the Roman soldiers smiled at the “triumphal entry” because it was not like their own “Roman triumph” celebrations in the city of Rome.

If a Roman general defeated the enemy on foreign soil, killed at least five thousand of them, and added new territory to the empire, he was entitled to a “Roman triumph” on his return to the city. It was the Roman equivalent of the American “ticker-tape parade,” only with a lot more pomp. The victor would be allowed to display the trophies he had taken and the leaders of the enemy he had captured. The parade ended in the arena, where some of the captives entertained the people by fighting wild animals. Our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem was not at all a “Roman triumph.”

What did the “triumphal entry” mean for the Israelites? The pilgrims welcomed Jesus warmly, and they spread their garments before Him and waved the palm branches as signs of peace and victory (Rev. 7:9). They quoted Psalm 118:26, which is a Messianic Psalm, and they proclaimed Him the “King of Israel.” But while they were doing this, Jesus was weeping (Luke 19:37-44)!

The name "Jerusalem" means “city of peace” or “foundation of peace.” The people were hoping Jesus would provide them the peace they needed. But He wept because He saw what was before the nation—war, suffering, destruction, and a scattered people. The angels announced “peace on earth” at His birth (Luke 2:13–14), but in His ministry Jesus announced “war on earth” (Luke 12:51ff.). It is significant that the crowds shouted “peace in heaven” (Luke 19:38), for that is the only place where there is peace today!

The nation had missed its opportunities; their leaders did not know the time of God’s visitation!” They were ignorant of their own Scriptures. The next time Israel sees the King, the scene will be radically different (Rev. 19:11ff.)! In glory He shall come, not in humility. The hosts of heaven shall follow Him. It will be a scene of triumph as He comes to vanquish His foes and set up His kingdom.

There is a recurring theme in Scripture that there can be no glory without there first being suffering. Jesus knew that before He could enter into His glory, He would have to die on the cross (Luke 24:26). The Jewish teachers were unclear about the Messiah's sufferings and the glorious kingdom foretold by the prophets. Some teachers thought there were two Messiahs, one who would suffer and one who would reign. Even the Lord’s disciples were not sure what was happening (see John 11:16).

What was the Jewish leaders’ attitude toward the “Triumphal Entry” of the Lord? The Pharisees, seeing the vast crowd gathering and paying homage to Him, felt quite sure that Jesus had won the day. They were looking for some general insurrection in the Passover season. Perhaps Jesus would perform a remarkable miracle and win the minds and hearts of the restless people that way. How little they understood the Master’s mind and heart! What they didn't know was that Jesus was forcing their hand to get the Sanhedrin to act during the feast. When the Passover lambs were being slaughtered, the Lamb of God had to lay down His life.

Now, “Behold, the world is gone after Him” (John 12:19) was an exaggeration and a prediction. In the next section we meet some visitors from outside Israel.