Matthew 21 9

Matthew 21:9 kjv

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 21:9 nkjv

Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!"

Matthew 21:9 niv

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

Matthew 21:9 esv

And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

Matthew 21:9 nlt

Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
Praise God in highest heaven!"

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 9 Meaning

Matthew 21:9 describes the scene during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where enthusiastic multitudes hailed Him with exclamations of praise and expectation. Their cries, "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest," are a direct acclamation of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the King descended from David, who arrives with divine authority and commission. The shouts signify both a plea for deliverance ("Hosanna" - save now!) and an outpouring of joyous worship, elevating their earthly recognition to a heavenly dimension.

Matthew 21 9 Context

Matthew chapter 21 opens with Jesus' deliberate entry into Jerusalem, directly fulfilling the prophecy in Zech 9:9 that the King would come humbly, riding on a donkey. This entry occurs at the culmination of His public ministry and just before the Passover, a time when Jerusalem would be overflowing with Jewish pilgrims deeply aware of their history and Messianic expectations for deliverance. The preceding chapters chronicle Jesus' teachings and miracles, building anticipation among His followers and hostility among the religious leaders. The scene of the multitudes shouting is the culmination of this building tension and popular acclaim, setting the stage for the dramatic events of Passion Week, which swiftly follow this initial reception. This entry represents a deliberate public declaration of His Messiahship.

Matthew 21 9 Word analysis

• And (καί - kai): A simple conjunction connecting this spontaneous outburst of the crowds to Jesus' prior action of entering Jerusalem, underscoring the immediate reaction to His arrival.
• the multitudes (οἱ ὄχλοι - hoi ochloi): Refers to a large, often undifferentiated group of common people. This signifies widespread popular enthusiasm, in contrast to the skepticism or animosity of the religious elite.
• that went before, and that followed (οἱ προάγοντες καὶ οἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες - hoi proagontes kai hoi akolouthountes): Emphasizes the sheer size and pervasive nature of the crowd; Jesus was surrounded by devotees on all sides, creating a continuous wave of acclamation.
• cried (ἔκραζον - ekrazon): From krazō, meaning "to cry out," "to shout aloud." The imperfect tense indicates a continuous, ongoing action, portraying a sustained, passionate vocal outburst rather than a singular cry.
• saying (λέγοντες - legontes): Identifies the specific words being uttered by the continuously crying crowds.
• Hosanna (Ὡσαννά - Hōsanna): A Greek transliteration of the Hebrew הושענא (hoshi'ana), from Ps 118:25, which literally means "Save now, I pray!" or "Oh, save!" While originally a plea for salvation, in this context, it has evolved into an exclamatory cry of jubilant praise and adoration for a deliverer, celebrating the arrival of the promised one. It combines aspects of both appeal and acclamation.
• to the Son of David (τῷ υἱῷ Δαυίδ - tō huiō Dauid): A powerful and widely recognized Messianic title. It affirms Jesus' legitimate claim to the Davidic throne, signaling the belief that He is the rightful King of Israel promised to descend from King David, who would restore Israel's glory and deliverance (2 Sam 7; Ps 89). This explicitly names Him as the Messiah.
• Blessed (εὐλογημένος - eulogēmenos): Denotes being divinely favored and highly honored, set apart for God's purposes. It is an expression of deep veneration and blessing, confirming Jesus' divine appointment and endorsement.
• is he that cometh (ὁ ἐρχόμενος - ho erchomenos): Literally, "the coming one." This is a significant Messianic designation, referencing the expected arrival of the Messiah (cf. Matt 11:3, "Art thou he that should come?"). It suggests a fulfillment of ancient prophecies and the culmination of God's redemptive plan.
• in the name of the Lord (ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου - en onomati Kyriou): A direct quote from Ps 118:26. To come "in the name of the Lord" implies coming with the full authority, power, and commission of God (Yahweh). Jesus is not acting on His own accord but as God's representative and agent, bearing divine authorization for His mission.
• Hosanna in the highest (Ὡσαννὰ ἐν τοῖς ὑψίστοις - Hōsanna en tois hypsistois): Extends the cry of praise from the earthly realm to the heavenly. "The highest" refers to the highest heavens or God's celestial dwelling. It could mean "let salvation come from heaven!" or "let this praise reach the highest heavens!" It implies that this acclamation resonates not only on earth but also glorifies God above, linking human adoration to divine approval.

Words-group analysis:

• "And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying": This entire phrase conveys a picture of universal, uncontainable enthusiasm from the ordinary people, confirming Jesus' immense popular appeal during His public ministry. The active verb "cried" signifies an intense, collective outburst of passion.
• "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord;": This central proclamation is a layered confession of Jesus' identity and mission. "Hosanna" (plea/praise) is linked directly to the Messianic title "Son of David," identifying who they believe Him to be. The following "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord" not only affirms the divine origin and authority of the "coming one" but also ties it directly to the well-known Psalm 118, demonstrating a spiritual recognition even if imperfectly understood. This combination points to a sovereign, divinely sent, Davidic King.
• "Hosanna in the highest.": This concluding exclamation amplifies the intensity and scope of their adoration. It transcends earthly boundaries, signifying that this praise is directed towards God in heaven, inviting heavenly affirmation or extending the plea for salvation from a celestial dimension. It gives cosmic significance to the earthly events.

Matthew 21 9 Bonus section

• The cries in Matt 21:9 indicate the culmination of public sentiment about Jesus' identity and role among the common people. This widespread acclaim, rather than isolated confession, posed a direct challenge to the authority and beliefs of the Jewish leadership (Scribes and Pharisees), who saw it as sedition and blasphemy.
• The Messianic title "Son of David" would have resonated deeply with the Jewish pilgrims, particularly during Passover, a celebration of national liberation. They were longing for a leader to restore Israel's sovereignty, seeing Jesus through this nationalistic lens, even if His ultimate mission was spiritual.
• The immediate public reception of Jesus entering Jerusalem, particularly by children in the temple (Matt 21:15-16), demonstrates the widespread recognition of His authority and fulfilled prophecy even among the simple-minded, rebuking the blindness of the religious elite.
• The crowd's acclamation was both an act of worship and a prophetic declaration, inadvertently announcing Jesus' true divine nature and royal destiny, far exceeding their immediate, earthly hopes for a political king.

Matthew 21 9 Commentary

Matthew 21:9 captures the exhilarating, yet complex, moment of Jesus' Triumphal Entry, fulfilling specific Old Testament prophecies, notably Zechariah 9:9 and Psalm 118:26. The crowds' "Hosanna" initially a Hebrew plea for salvation, morphs into an outcry of joyous praise, revealing their belief that Jesus is indeed the promised Deliverer. Calling Him "Son of David" unequivocally proclaims His Messianic kingship, rooting Him in the ancestral promise to Israel's greatest king. The addition "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord" affirms His divine mandate and authority, directly linking Him to the Yahweh of Psalm 118 and presenting Him as the very embodiment of God's arrival. Finally, "Hosanna in the highest" expands the scene from an earthly procession to a cosmic event, suggesting either that their praise ascended to heaven, or that they desired salvation from a divine source in the highest realms. While this crowd welcomed Jesus as their king, their understanding was likely a mix of spiritual hope and temporal desire for liberation from Roman rule. Their enthusiastic acclamation serves as a profound theological statement, asserting Jesus' divine right to reign and prefiguring His eventual global worship. Yet, it also holds the tension of misdirected expectation, as this very crowd or one like it would soon turn to cries of "Crucify Him." This verse underscores Jesus' rightful claim to kingship, recognized by the common people, despite the ensuing rejection by religious leaders.