The King’s Ride

Here are some interesting facts about Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Did they actually use Palm branches? Yes, they used date palms that commonly grow in Jerusalem. John’s gospel is the only account that records the people using palm branches. The palm branch actually had become a national symbol for the Jews two centuries prior and eventually was a common symbol on Roman coins. The spreading of the cloaks on the road was a sign of the people’s recognition of their king. The same action was performed in 2 Kings 9:13 when they anointed Jehu as king. Why did Jesus need a colt that had never been ridden upon? When a king would enter a city, he would always ride upon an animal that no one else had ever placed a yoke. No one was allowed to ride the king’s ride. Only such an animal was proper for a sacred task (Num. 19:6, Deut. 21:3). In addition, when a king entered a city in peace, he rode on a donkey; when he came to conquer, he rode on a war horse.