And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
MATTHEW 21:9KJVWhat does Matthew 21:9 mean?
Matthew 21:9 describes crowds of people welcoming Jesus as he enters Jerusalem, shouting praises and calling him the "Son of David," which shows they see him as the long-awaited Messiah. They cry out "Hosanna," a word expressing both praise and a plea for salvation, and bless the one who comes in God's name.
In this scene, the crowds are both ahead of and behind Jesus as he rides into Jerusalem, creating a public and joyful procession. Their words echo Old Testament phrases used for welcoming a king or a deliverer, highlighting the hope and excitement surrounding Jesus. The phrase "Hosanna in the highest" shows their belief that Jesus' arrival has heavenly importance and is part of God's plan.
The Greek behind Matthew 21:9
- Ὡσαννά (Hosanna, G5614): This word is borrowed from Hebrew and means "save now" or "please save." In this context, it has become a joyful shout of praise, but it still carries the sense of asking for deliverance.
- Υἱὸς Δαυίδ (huios Dauid, G5207 & G1138): "Son of David" is a title for the Messiah, connecting Jesus to King David's royal line and the promises God made about a future deliverer.
- Ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου (ho erchomenos en onomati Kyriou, G2064, G1722, G3686, G2962): "He that cometh in the name of the Lord" is a phrase from Psalm 118, used here to recognize Jesus as God's chosen representative.
- ἐν τοῖς ὑψίστοις (en tois hypsistois, G1722, G5310): "In the highest" points to heaven, suggesting that their praise and plea for salvation are directed to God above and that Jesus' coming has cosmic significance.
Why Matthew 21:9 matters
- Matthew 21:9 shows that the people recognized Jesus as a significant figure, possibly the Messiah, by calling him "Son of David" and using language from the Psalms.
- The verse connects Jesus' entry into Jerusalem with Old Testament hopes for a deliverer, showing how the crowds saw his arrival as the fulfillment of God's promises.
- Understanding the meaning of "Hosanna" and the use of royal and messianic titles helps clarify why this moment is so important in the story of Jesus' final days.