When we come to Jesus’ arrival at Jerusalem only days before his crucifixion, scholars seem divided as to what actually occurred, when he finally arrived in the city. Which scripture describes the so-called Triumphant Entry? When did it occur, and what of Jesus’ entries from Jericho and from Bethany? Are they contradictions or do they represent different entries? If different, which is the Triumphant Entry? How long did it take for the fig tree to wither, and when did Jesus actually cleanse the Temple? These and many other questions about the text are answered by comparing one pertinent text with another. It isn’t difficult to come up with a reasonable understanding of what occurred, provided one doesn’t try to cause the text to support a preconceived idea of what Jesus did, and when and how he did what he did.
Mark’s record of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem must be read in the context of what had occurred only a few weeks prior to the week of Jesus’ crucifixion. Remember, Jesus had come from Bethabara (John 10:40; cp. 1:28) to raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11:11-14), but had to flee, because the Jewish authorities sought his life (John 11:45-54). These mysterious texts become clearer if we understand that, before fleeing the vicinity of Jerusalem, Jesus made secret arrangements with certain friends in Bethany, and this was done in order for Jesus to control the events leading up to his crucifixion. One of those prearranged matters concerned the colt that was tied just inside a city gate belonging to Bethany (cp. Mark 11:2). It was prearranged to be there for Jesus’ use (cp. Mark 11:3-6). Another prearranged detail was Martha’s supper that was made for Jesus’ arrival (John 12:1-2). If Jesus left for Bethany near sunset (Mark 11:11), how was it known that he would arrive there with his disciples in time for Martha to have all things ready for him and his disciples? Such a dinner had to have been prearranged.
Once the colt had been brought to Jesus, he sat on it, and the disciples put their outer garment upon the colt’s mother, which was also made available for Jesus’ use (Mark 11:7; cp. Matthew 21:2, 7). Moreover, taking the colt could have been the signal for Martha to prepare the meal, if the exact day of Jesus’ arrival wasn’t known.
Once he mounted the colt, Jesus began descending the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem by way of the eastern gate, and as he did so, his disciples took their garments, which were laid upon the colt’s mother and placed them in front of Jesus for the colt to walk upon (Mark 11:8). Some cut palm branches from the nearby trees to cast in front of the animal as Jesus approached Jerusalem’s eastern gate. All the while they did these things they shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10).
At this point, Mark’s account becomes anticlimactic. The dramatic build up in Mark 11:9-10 falls flat when Jesus enters Jerusalem. Nothing is said about what occurred when he entered the city, nothing about the Jewish authorities or the great multitude of people there who had come to celebrate Passover. Instead, Mark tells us Jesus simply looked around and then left for Bethany before sunset (Mark 11:11). Yet, most scholars will tell us that this was Jesus’ so-called Triumphant Entry! I think not.
To be sure, Mark has left a lot out of his narrative at this point. For example, Matthew tells us that after descending the mount and entering Jerusalem, the whole city was moved and everyone was asking “Who is this?” (Matthew 21:10). Once inside Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began overturning the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves and cast out everyone who bought and sold in the Temple complex (Matthew 21:12; Luke 19:45). Then he took time to heal the blind and the lame, while the Jewish authorities protested of the things his disciples were shouting: “Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:14-15), but Jesus merely reminded the authorities of the scripture that said out of the mouth of babes comes perfect praise. In fact, it is this very praise that deters the evil intent of one’s enemies (Matthew 21:16; cp. Psalm 8:2). Afterwards, Jesus left for Bethany (Mark 11:11; cp. Matthew 21:17; John 12:1), and although these things were very significant, yet this was not Jesus’ so-called Triumphant Entry. How could it have been, if no one inside the city knew who Jesus was (Matthew 21:10)?
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