Luk 19:28-44 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Luke 19:28-40: 19:28-40 Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem fulfilled Zech 9:9-10 and symbolically announced that he was the Messiah, the King of Israel.

Summary for Luke 19:28-40: 19:28-40 ^a Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem fulfilled Zech 9:9-10 ^b and symbolically announced that he was the Messiah, the King of Israel.
19:29 ^c Bethany was on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, two miles east of Jerusalem; it was the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha (John 11:1 ^d, 18 ^e; 12:1 ^f; see Luke 10:38 ^g). The location of Bethphage is uncertain, but it was probably near Bethany on the same road from Jericho.

• The Mount of Olives overlooks Jerusalem from the east and has significance at the return of Christ (see Acts 1:11 ^h; Zech 14:4 ⁱ).
19:30 ^j you will see a young donkey: It is unclear whether Jesus had arranged for the donkey ahead of time, or whether he used divine insight. Either way, Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was a symbolic action. He rode a humble donkey rather than a war horse to confirm that he was fulfilling the role of the Messiah by bringing reconciliation and peace (Zech 9:9-10 ^k).
19:31 ^l The Lord needs it: Subjects of a king were expected to make resources available for his use (see 1 Sam 8:16 ^m). The donkey’s colt had never been ridden, so it was pure and suitable for a king.
19:36 ⁿ The crowds spread out their garments to show honor and homage to this royal figure (see 2 Kgs 9:13 ^o).
19:38 ^p Blessings on the King ... glory in highest heaven! See Pss 118:26 ^q; 148:1 ^r. Psalm 118 ^s was one of the psalms sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for one of the festivals (Pss 113–118 ^t).

• Jesus brought peace in heaven—reconciliation between God and human beings—but peace on earth awaits the future (cp. Luke 2:14 ^u; see 12:51-53 ^v; 19:41-44 ^w).
19:40 ^x Compare Isa 55:12 ^y, in which nature is said to rejoice at the coming of God’s salvation, and Hab 2:11 ^z, in which the stones of the walls cry out against Babylon.
19:42 ^aa now it is too late: Israel’s rejection of Jesus was irrevocable.
Summary for Luke 19:43-44: 19:43-44 ^ab Jesus foretold the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70. The Jewish historian Josephus describes the horrific suffering of the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the Roman siege (War 5.1.1–7.1.1).

• will not leave a single stone in place: This is an image of total devastation.