Why did people put palm leaves down when Jesus came into Jerusalem?

Answer 1

Palm branches are a symbol of victory and triumph. They were used on Jesus' processional into Jerusalem because the people recognized him as Messiah. It was also customary for Kings and Noblemen to ride in on a donkey, as the donkey symbolizes peace, therefore those who rode one showed they came with peaceful intentions.

Answer 2

AnswerMark's Gospel was the earliest of the New Testament gospels and in this Gospel, it is not palm leaves, but leafy branches that are spread on the road, just as the Jews used leafy branches in the celebration of the Sukkoth festival. Mark 11:8 says (NAB), "Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields." The words used at the Sukkoth are reflected in Mark 11:9: "And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

John Shelby Spong (Jesus for the NonReligious) says the story came from a Jewish festival actually held at an entirely different time of year:

The ]ewish eight day celebration of the harvest, known as Sukkoth, and also called the Festival of the Tabernacles or Booths, was probably the most popular holiday among the Jews in the first century. In the observance of Sukkoth, worshippers processed through Jerusalem and in the Temple, waving a bunch of leafy branches made of willow, myrtle and palm. As they waved these branches in that procession, the worshippers recited words from Psalm 118, the psalm normally used at Sukkoth. Among these words were "Save us, we beseech you, O Lord." Save us in Hebrew is hosianna or 'hosanna'. This is typically followed by "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. (Psalm 118:25-6).

Mark took the Sukkoth traditions and transferred them from autumn to the Passover season for the procession story. Because the Passover season is too early for 'leafy branches' (except palms), John changed this to 'palm branches', creating our modern tradition of Palm Sunday. In the earliest account of Palm Sunday, leafy branches were used, but these were not really available at that time of year, leading to the conclusion that this story is an elaboration to demonstrate a capricious and unpredictable character in the Jerusalem people, who would shortly demand the crucifixion of Jesus.

Answer 3

A:There is no specific reference to palm branches in the earlier gospels, but this was added in John's Gospel. The first account of the triumphal entry of Jesus was in Mark's Gospel, where the people waved leafy branches. John Shelby Spong (Jesus for the NonReligious) puts it this way:

The Jewish eight day celebration of the harvest, known as Sukkoth, and also called the Festival of the Tabernacles or Booths, was probably the most popular holiday among the Jews in the first century. In the observance of Sukkoth, worshippers processed through Jerusalem and in the Temple, waving a bunch of leafy branches made of willow, myrtle and palm. As they waved these branches in that procession, the worshippers recited words from Psalm 118, the psalm normally used at Sukkoth. Among these words were "Save us, we beseech you, O Lord." Save us in Hebrew is hosianna or 'hosanna'. This is typically followed by "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. (Psalm 118:25-6)."

Although the Passover is too early for leafy branches (except palms), Mark 11:8-9 says (NAB), "Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'." The Gospels of Matthew and Luke more or less follow Mark, but John's Gospel corrects this to say 'palm branches', creating our modern tradition of Palm Sunday.

Answer 4

Another answer from our community:

The crowds on this day (Palm Sunday) were excited and hyped up as many of the people somewhat believed that Jesus was the coming Messiah. The spreading of clothes and leafy branches and palm branches was part of an ancient practice of welcoming a new King which symbolized joy and salvation ( Matt. 21:1-11; Mark 11: 1-11; Luke 19: 29-40; John 12:12-15).

Answer 5

John Shelby Spong (Jesus for the NonReligious) puts it this way:

The ]ewish eight day celebration of the harvest, known as Sukkoth, and also called the Festival of the Tabernacles or Booths, was probably the most popular holiday among the Jews in the first century. In the observance of Sukkoth, worshippers processed through Jerusalem and in the Temple, waving a bunch of leafy branches made of willow, myrtle and palm. As they waved these branches in that procession, the worshippers recited words from Psalm 118, the psalm normally used at Sukkoth. Among these words were "Save us, we beseech you, O Lord." Save us in Hebrew is hosianna or 'hosanna'. This is typically followed by "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. (Psalm 118:25-6)."

Mark's Gospel was the earliest of the New Testament gospels. It took the Sukkoth traditions and transferred them from autumn to the Passover season for the procession story. Mark 11:8 says (NAB), "Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields." The words used at the Sukkoth are reflected in Mark 11:9: "And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

However, the Passover season is too early for "leafy branches" (except palms), so the KJV avoids actual mention of them in Mark 11:8: "And many spread their garments in the way; and others cut down branches off the trees and strawed them in the way."

In copying Mark, Matthew and Luke also avoided mentioning "leafy branches", and John says "palm branches", creating our modern tradition of Palm Sunday.

Answer 6

:John Shelby Spong (Jesus for the NonReligious) puts it this way:
The Jewish eight day celebration of the harvest, known as Sukkoth, and also called the Festival of the Tabernacles or Booths, was probably the most popular holiday among the Jews in the first century. In the observance of Sukkoth, worshippers processed through Jerusalem and in the Temple, waving a bunch of leafy branches made of willow, myrtle and palm. As they waved these branches in that procession, the worshippers recited words from Psalm 118, the psalm normally used at Sukkoth. Among these words were "Save us, we beseech you, O Lord." Save us in Hebrew is hosianna or 'hosanna'. This is typically followed by "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. (Psalm 118:25-6)."

Although the Passover is too early for leafy branches (except palms), Mark 11:8-9 (NAB) says when Jesus entered Jerusalem, "Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'." The Gospels of Matthew and Luke more or less follow Mark, but John's Gospel corrects this to say 'palm branches', creating our modern tradition of Palm Sunday.

Answer 7

There is no specific reference to palm branches in the earlier gospels, but this was added in John's Gospel. The first account of the triumphal entry of Jesus was in Mark's Gospel, where the people waved leafy branches. The author has taken the imagery of festival held later in the year and placed it in the time of the Passover and the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. John Shelby Spong (Jesus for the NonReligious) puts it this way:
>>The Jewish eight day celebration of the harvest, known as Sukkoth, and also called the Festival of the Tabernacles or Booths, was probably the most popular holiday among the Jews in the first century. In the observance of Sukkoth, worshippers processed through Jerusalem and in the Temple, waving a bunch of leafy branches made of willow, myrtle and palm. As they waved these branches in that procession, the worshippers recited words from Psalm 118, the psalm normally used at Sukkoth. Among these words were "Save us, we beseech you, O Lord." Save us in Hebrew is hosianna or 'hosanna'. This is typically followed by "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. (Psalm 118:25-6)."

Although the Passover is too early for leafy branches (except palms), Mark 11:8-9 says (NAB), "Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'." The Gospels of Matthew and Luke more or less follow Mark, but John's Gospel corrects this to say 'palm branches', creating our modern tradition of Palm Sunday.

Answer 8

After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in his home in Bethany, He headed for entry into Jerusalem. The people believing He was the true Messiah and would only come once as a conquering hero, laid the road with clothing and Palm branches to honor their King. They were probably quite shocked to see Him riding on a donkey instead of a warrior's horse but this fulfilled the prophecies of old. He would be tried and put to death by crucifixion mid-week (3 1/2 days). This too fulfills prophecy as He would come the 2nd time in power and might after Satan's failed attempt to conquer and control humankind in 3 1/2 years before the Millennial Rule of Christ and the Church of God.

Answer 9

The people of Israel laid down palm branches out of reverence for the Lord Jesus. They were welcoming Him to Jerusalem.

Answer 10

The branches used were palm branches.