Palm Sunday recalls Jesus' Triumphal Entry: Hosanna to the son of David (Matthew 21:9), Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel (John 12:13), behold thy King cometh… riding upon an ass (Zechariah 9:9), and Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord (Luke 19:38).
Palm Sunday opens Holy Week with the Triumphal Entry—palms, cloaks, and hosannas as Jesus rides into Jerusalem. These twelve King James passages gather the Gospel accounts, the Zechariah prophecy, and Psalm 118's welcome—seasonal readings for worship the week before Easter.
Hosanna in the Gospels
1. Matthew 21:9
"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."
Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. The crowd's shout crowns Palm Sunday worship.
2. John 12:13
"Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord."
Took branches of palm trees… Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. Palms and kingship meet in John's account.
3. Mark 11:9-10
"And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest."
Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh… Blessed be the kingdom of our father David. Mark links the Entry to David's hoped-for kingdom.
4. Luke 19:38
"Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."
Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. Luke stresses King, peace, and glory.
The King who comes
5. Zechariah 9:9
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."
Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass. Prophecy frames the humble royal ride.
6. Matthew 21:5
"Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass."
Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh… sitting upon an ass. Matthew cites Zechariah over the Entry.
7. John 12:15
"Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt."
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. John also ties the scene to the prophet.
8. Psalms 118:25-26
"Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD."
Save now… Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD. "Hosanna" echoes this psalm's cry for salvation.
Palms, cloaks, and praise
9. Matthew 21:8
"And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way."
A very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches. Cloaks and branches carpet the King's path.
10. John 12:12
"On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,"
On the next day much people… when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. The Entry draws a crowd already gathering for the feast.
11. Luke 19:40
"And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."
If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Praise will not be silenced on Palm Sunday.
12. Revelation 7:9-10
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."
A great multitude… with palms in their hands… Salvation to our God… and unto the Lamb. Heaven's palms echo the Entry's praise forever.
A short prayer
Lord Jesus, King who comes in the name of the Lord, we join the hosannas of Palm Sunday. Receive our praise; ride into our hearts in humility and salvation; and lead us through Holy Week to the empty tomb. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
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Frequently asked questions
What Bible verse is for Palm Sunday?
Matthew 21:9, John 12:13, Zechariah 9:9, and Psalm 118:25-26 are classic Palm Sunday readings.
What does Hosanna mean?
It echoes Psalm 118:25 "Save now"—a cry for salvation that became praise for the coming King.
Where is the Triumphal Entry prophesied?
Zechariah 9:9: thy King cometh… lowly, and riding upon an ass—quoted in Matthew 21:5 and John 12:15.
How does Palm Sunday connect to Easter?
Palm Sunday begins Holy Week: Entry, then the cross, then Resurrection Sunday. See also our Easter and resurrection-of-Jesus pages.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about Easter · Bible verses about the resurrection of Jesus · Bible verses about salvation · Bible verses on hope · Bible verses about faith
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