Matthew 21 10

Matthew 21:10 kjv

And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

Matthew 21:10 nkjv

And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?"

Matthew 21:10 niv

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

Matthew 21:10 esv

And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?"

Matthew 21:10 nlt

The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. "Who is this?" they asked.

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 10 Meaning

Upon Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem, following the jubilant acclamations of His disciples and the accompanying crowds, a profound stir or agitation seized the entire city. The magnitude of His entry, characterized by public acclaim and Messianic symbols, provoked an immediate and widespread reaction from the resident populace. This culminated in the central inquiry, "Who is this?", revealing a pervasive state of questioning, curiosity, and a lack of full recognition regarding Jesus' identity among many inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Matthew 21 10 Context

Matthew chapter 21 opens a crucial phase of Jesus' ministry: His final week leading up to the Passion. The verse immediately follows Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt 21:1-9), fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. The procession sees crowds laying cloaks and palm branches on the path, shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David!" as Jesus enters the capital city on a donkey. Matthew 21:10 describes the effect of this arrival on the broader population of Jerusalem, distinct from the accompanying crowd. Historically and culturally, Jerusalem was the spiritual, political, and cultural heart of Jewish life, especially vibrant and volatile during the Passover season, when the population swelled with pilgrims. This period was ripe with fervent messianic expectation and, simultaneously, intense scrutiny from religious authorities and the Roman presence. The commotion described in the verse is a direct response to a Galilean rabbi arriving with popular acclaim and symbols suggestive of kingship, directly into a city sensitive to messianic claims and potential uprisings.

Matthew 21 10 Word analysis

• And when He had come into Jerusalem (Καὶ εἰσελθόντος αὐτοῦ εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα - Kai eiselthontos autou eis Hierosolyma)
  • Καὶ (Kai): "And." A connective particle, signaling continuity and direct consequence from the preceding actions.
  • εἰσελθόντος (eiselthontos): From eiserchomai, "to go in, enter." This participial form highlights Jesus' direct, purposeful entry, marking a definitive act.
  • αὐτοῦ (autou): "He," referring specifically to Jesus. The emphasis is on His personal action of entering the city.
  • Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosolyma): "Jerusalem." More than just a location, it represents the sacred center of Jewish identity, worship, and prophetic expectation, where the Messiah was ultimately to arrive.
• all the city (πᾶσα ἡ πόλις - pasa hē polis)
  • πᾶσα (pasa): "All, every, the whole." This emphasizes the comprehensive and pervasive impact; the reaction was not localized but widespread among the inhabitants.
  • ἡ πόλις (hē polis): "The city." In this context, it refers metaphorically to the inhabitants or populace of Jerusalem, rather than merely the physical structures.
• was moved (ἐσείσθη - eseisthē)
  • From seiō, "to shake, agitate, cause to quake, move greatly." This is a strong, dramatic verb. It can literally describe an earthquake, but here it metaphorically signifies profound commotion, perturbation, or disturbance. The city was not merely excited; it was deeply stirred, unsettled, or even disturbed by the arrival of Jesus and His popular reception. This verb carries connotations of a momentous, even unsettling, event.
• saying (λέγουσα - legousa)
  • "Saying." This present participle indicates an ongoing, active inquiry or dialogue. It suggests a widespread questioning that pervaded the city.
• "Who is this?" (Τίς οὗτός ἐστιν; - Tis houtos estin?)
  • Τίς (Tis): "Who?" An interrogative pronoun, directly inquiring about identity.
  • οὗτός (houtos): "This man." A demonstrative pronoun, pointing directly to Jesus.
  • ἐστιν (estin): "Is." The verb of being, fundamental to defining identity.
  • This question encapsulates the central issue of Jesus' identity throughout His ministry. It signifies curiosity, bewilderment, skepticism, and perhaps even veiled hostility from different segments of the Jerusalem population. For many, Jesus was an unknown, a prophet perhaps, but certainly not recognized as the Messiah who entered with such remarkable acclamation. It sets the stage for the dramatic unfolding of His public self-revelation in Jerusalem through His words and deeds.

Matthew 21 10 Bonus section

• The profound "shaking" of the city resonates with Old Testament prophecies where the Lord's presence or judgment is described as causing the earth or nations to shake (e.g., Isa 2:19-21, Hag 2:6-7). This subtle parallel emphasizes the seismic spiritual impact of God's Anointed One entering His holy city.
• The "Who is this?" question also underscores the tension between public acclaim and widespread ignorance or deliberate resistance. Those asking may include both curious bystanders and those inherently suspicious or resistant to messianic claims outside the religious establishment's control.
• The entire city's focus on this one Man foreshadows the singular importance of the events that would unfold in the days that followed – events that would determine the destiny of Jerusalem and indeed, the salvation of the world.

Matthew 21 10 Commentary

Matthew 21:10 portrays the dramatic effect of Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem. While the initial crowd accompanying Him declared His Messiahship, the broader city's reaction was one of profound disturbance and questioning. The verb "was moved" (ἐσείσθη) suggests more than excitement; it indicates a deep agitation or "shaking," mirroring the troubled response of Jerusalem to the news of Jesus' birth (Matt 2:3). This highlights the fundamental challenge Jesus posed to the established order and assumptions of the city. The query "Who is this?" reveals a profound spiritual dichotomy within Jerusalem. Despite prophecies, the temple's centrality, and previous reports of Jesus' miracles, many failed to recognize their Messiah. This question underlines the prevailing spiritual blindness, demonstrating that Jesus "came to His own, and His own did not receive Him" (Jn 1:11). This verse marks the beginning of the decisive confrontation between Jesus and the religious authorities and the broader city's ultimate rejection of Him. His subsequent actions within the city, particularly the cleansing of the temple, serve as direct answers to this foundational question of His identity and authority.