Matthew 21:10 (KJV)

What does Matthew 21:10 mean?

Matthew 21:10 describes how, when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the entire city was stirred up and people began asking, “Who is this?” The arrival of Jesus caused a noticeable commotion and curiosity among everyone in Jerusalem.

In this verse, Matthew is narrating the moment when Jesus comes into Jerusalem during what is now called the Triumphal Entry. The crowds who had welcomed Jesus with excitement are now joined by the city’s residents, who are surprised and unsettled by the scene. The question “Who is this?” shows that many in Jerusalem did not yet recognize Jesus or understand why there was such a celebration around him.

The Greek behind Matthew 21:10

• The word “moved” is from the Greek σείω (seio), transliterated as "seio," which means to shake or to be stirred up. Here, it suggests that the whole city was not just curious but deeply agitated or in a state of excitement, almost like an earthquake of emotion.
• The Greek phrase πᾶσα ἡ πόλις (pasa hē polis), meaning “all the city,” emphasizes that this was not a small group but the entire population of Jerusalem reacting together, highlighting the scale of Jesus’s impact.

Why Matthew 21:10 matters

• This verse shows that Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem was a public event that could not be ignored, drawing the attention of the entire city, not just his followers.
• The question “Who is this?” sets up the contrast between those who knew Jesus and those who did not, preparing the reader for the mixed reactions Jesus would face in Jerusalem.
• Matthew 21:10 connects to the larger narrative of Jesus’s final days, showing the tension and anticipation that would lead to the events of his arrest and crucifixion.