Joh 12:13 | TNotes | STEP | 12:13 palm branches: The date palm was a celebratory symbol of Jewish nationalism. • meet him: The Greek word commonly describes crowds greeting a returning, triumphant king. • Blessings on the one: The crowd quoted Ps 118:25-26 , with a greeting for those who came to Jerusalem. The phrase Hail to the King of Israel is not in the psalm (but see Zeph 3:15 ). Although the people saw Jesus as a national political liberator, he rejected this role (John 6:15 ).

bPs 118:25-26►

cZeph 3:15►

dJohn 6:15►

‏ John 12:13

12:13 ^a palm branches: The date palm was a celebratory symbol of Jewish nationalism.

• meet him: The Greek word commonly describes crowds greeting a returning, triumphant king.

• Blessings on the one: The crowd quoted Ps 118:25-26 ^b, with a greeting for those who came to Jerusalem. The phrase Hail to the King of Israel is not in the psalm (but see Zeph 3:15 ^c). Although the people saw Jesus as a national political liberator, he rejected this role (John 6:15 ^d).