Luke 19 36

Luke 19:36 kjv

And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

Luke 19:36 nkjv

And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.

Luke 19:36 niv

As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

Luke 19:36 esv

And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.

Luke 19:36 nlt

As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him.

Luke 19 verses

Luke 19 36 Meaning

Luke 19:36 describes a key moment during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. As Jesus proceeded, the crowd spontaneously responded with an act of profound honor and reverence. They removed their outer cloaks and spread them on the path before Him. This action symbolized their recognition of Jesus as a king or highly honored dignitary, paving His way with personal sacrifices to show homage and acclaim.

Luke 19 36 Context

Luke 19:36 is part of the "Triumphal Entry" narrative (Lk 19:28-44). Jesus is deliberately proceeding toward Jerusalem, knowing what awaits Him. This event occurs just before the Passover festival, when Jerusalem would be teeming with pilgrims anticipating the Messiah. The verses preceding (Lk 19:29-35) describe Jesus sending disciples to secure a colt, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. The verse immediately following (Lk 19:37) reveals the enthusiastic praises of "the whole multitude of disciples" that begin to cry out, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Lk 19:38). This act of spreading cloaks signifies the peak of public acclaim for Jesus' kingship and messianic identity by a significant portion of the Jewish population, openly challenging the religious establishment and Roman authority. It sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation that follows in Jerusalem.

Luke 19 36 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction, connecting this action seamlessly with Jesus' preceding movement. It signifies a natural progression of the event.
• as he went (πορευομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ - poreuomenou de autou): This is a genitive absolute construction, literally "of Him going." The imperfect tense implies continuous action, indicating that the spreading of cloaks happened progressively as Jesus moved forward, not just at one point. It highlights the dynamic nature of the scene.
• they spread (ὑπεστρώννυον - hypestrōnnyon): The imperfect active indicative form of the verb hypostrōnnyō. This means "to strew under" or "to spread underneath." The imperfect tense here conveys continuous, repeated action. It was not a single, isolated act but an ongoing process by many as Jesus advanced, emphasizing the collective and sustained nature of their homage. This action elevated the path for the honored one, symbolically recognizing superior status.
• their cloaks (τὰ ἱμάτια - ta himatia): Himation refers to the outer garment worn by Jews, a significant piece of clothing often serving as a wrap by day and a blanket by night (Ex 22:27). To spread one's himation on the ground for someone to walk on was a profound gesture of personal sacrifice, profound honor, and absolute submission or loyalty, akin to rolling out a royal carpet. It involved laying down a valuable personal possession in an act of homage.
• in the way (ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ - en tē hodō): A simple dative phrase, meaning "on the road" or "in the path." This makes the act public and undeniable, openly declaring their reverence for Jesus in the public thoroughfare as He entered the holy city.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "as he went, they spread": This phrase conveys the immediate, spontaneous, and collective response of the crowd as Jesus was in motion. It suggests their excitement and willingness to honor Him unfolded in real-time as He drew near.
• "they spread their cloaks in the way": This entire action encapsulates the specific type of kingly or honorific acclamation. It signifies more than just applause; it is a visible, costly, and deeply symbolic act of profound homage and reverence, acknowledging His supreme authority or anticipated kingly rule.

Luke 19 36 Bonus section

The deliberate action of the crowd, using their precious personal garments to pave Jesus' way, highlights the level of their initial fervor and belief in His royal identity. This act of personal sacrifice, laying down what was essential for comfort and warmth, speaks to the depth of their devotion, however ephemeral it proved to be. It forms a powerful symbolic counterpoint to the later actions of those who would mock, strip, and gamble for His garments at the crucifixion (Matt 27:35). The enthusiastic yet fickle acclamation captured in this verse underscores a biblical theme: the danger of misplaced expectations in a Deliverer, leading to disillusionment when those expectations are not met in the desired way. While they hailed Him as a political king, Jesus sought a deeper commitment—a submission to His spiritual reign that requires bearing one's cross, not simply spreading one's cloak.

Luke 19 36 Commentary

Luke 19:36 vividly portrays the peak of public acclaim for Jesus in His earthly ministry. The act of spreading cloaks, also recorded in Matthew and Mark, was a clear demonstration of kingly recognition, echoing the enthronement of Jehu in 2 Kings 9:13. It was not just a utilitarian act but a deeply symbolic one, signifying total homage, adoration, and submission to the one whose path they smoothed. For the people, this gesture declared Jesus as the anticipated King-Messiah, coming to establish His kingdom. Their understanding, however, likely leaned towards a political Messiah who would liberate Israel from Roman oppression, a contrast to Jesus' true spiritual kingship (Jn 18:36).

Jesus accepts this tribute, implicitly affirming His identity as the Christ and King. This moment is crucial as it publicizes His messianic claim, setting the stage for direct confrontation with the religious authorities who would reject such a declaration. The scene, however, foreshadows the fleeting nature of human praise; these same voices crying "King" would soon turn to "Crucify Him." This verse underscores the contrast between temporary human adoration based on perceived worldly benefits and the true spiritual recognition of Jesus' divine authority.