Most Bible students (scholars included) believe the, so called, Triumphal Entry occurred just after Jesus arrived on top of Mount Olives, as he came from Jericho (Matthew 21:1-9; Mark 1:1-11), but this isn’t so. Moreover, most Bible students (scholars included) believe there was only one entry into Jerusalem, while he was seated “on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Matthew 21:5) but neither is this so! Actually, Jesus came into the eastern gate of Jerusalem in this manner three times that week. The first time, recorded by Matthew, was from Jericho. The second time, the Triumphant Entry (so called) was from Bethany, and this one was recorded by John (John 12:12-19), but on his way he cursed the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14). When he entered the city, he cast out the money changers from the Temple for the second time (Mark 11:15-19). The first time occurred when he came from Jericho (cp. Matthew 21:12-13), after which he went to Bethany (Matthew 21:17; cp. Mark 11:11).
His third entry in four days occurred after the fig tree withered (Mark 11:20-21) and Luke records that he cleansed the Temple for the third time (Luke 19:45-48). We know this is after the fig tree withered, because Jesus wept over the city (Luke 19:41-44). He wouldn’t have wept and foretold of its judgment during his first visit, because no one knew him. Why would Israel be judged for what they didn’t know (Matthew 21:10-11)? On the other hand, would he have wept and foretold the destruction of the city, when it seemed Israel was about to receive their Messiah, as everyone came out of the city to greet him and escort him back into the city (John 12:12-13)? No, this wouldn’t make sense either. Rather, Jesus wept and foretold of the city’s judgment (Luke 19:41-44), because those in the city had listened to and rejected him (John 12:34, 37-43). Therefore, upon his third visit no one came out of the city to greet their King. No one was surprised at his coming (cp. Matthew 21:10-11), and no one made any effort to welcome him into the city (cp. John 12:12-13)!
Notice that the Synoptics begin the final week of Jesus life on earth with his coming from Jericho, stopping on top of Mount Olives and sending two disciples into Bethany to get the donkey and her colt, which were tied to a post and waiting to be taken to Jesus (Matthew 21:2; Mark 11:2: Luke 19:29). Yet, while he was in Bethany, Jesus had to search for the colt (John 12:12, 14). In other words, the colt was no longer tied, but loosed, as the commandment says must be done for the Sabbath (Exodus 23:12; Deuteronomy 5:14). Therefore, Jesus came to Bethany on the evening before the Sabbath (John 12:1), and stayed in Bethany for the Sabbath, because it was more than a Sabbath day’s journey to Jerusalem. So, the Triumphant Entry was made two days after Jesus entered Jerusalem from Jericho.
Therefore, on that fateful day, Jesus came in fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, riding upon an ass, a colt, the foil of an ass (John 12:15). As he came, the people of the city came out to greet him and escort him back into the city, praising him and singing Hosanna to the King (John 12:12-13, 15), but his disciples didn’t understand any of these things that had taken place until after the crucifixion (John 12:16)
Moreover, it was the Jewish authorities who had witnessed Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and believed on him (cp. John 11:43-45) who told the pilgrims in Jerusalem what Jesus had done, and for this reason so many of the pilgrims, who had previously not known Jesus (cp. Matthew 21:10-11), went out of Jerusalem to greet him as he came to them from Bethany (John 12:17-18).
As all this was occurring, those unbelieving authorities despaired that their plans would ever be fulfilled, because they interpreted the current events as the whole world had gone after him (John 12:19). Thus, this particular study shows the importance of men in authority who actually fear God. People will follow their lead to serve and obey God. On the other hand, if the authorities ignore or rebel against their God, so too with the people ignore and rebel against him.
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