New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 21:10

The King Enters

When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” Matthew 21:10 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 21:10, in plain English

When Jesus enters Jerusalem, the whole city is buzzing. Everyone asks, 'Who is this?'

Why it's here

The city is shaken. The word Matthew uses is the same word for an earthquake. Jesus' arrival creates a tremor.

Who's speaking

The people of Jerusalem are startled and curious about this procession.

Where it sits in the story

The entire city is stirred. Something seismic is happening, and everyone wants to know who's at the center of it.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus' entry stirs (eseisthē, 'was shaken' — the verb used for earthquakes) the entire city, and the residents ask 'Who is this?' — a question that drives Matthew's narrative.

Language and setting

The seismic language (seismos) foreshadows the earthquake at Jesus' death (27:51) and resurrection (28:2), connecting entry to passion.

Voice

The narrator describes Jerusalem's reaction to Jesus' arrival.

Significance

Jerusalem trembles at Jesus' arrival — the city that should recognize its king asks His identity, setting up the tragic rejection to come.

In context

Matthew 21:8–12

8A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

9The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

10When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

12Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.

Read all of Matthew 21 — Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds shout hosanna. Within hours, he's overturning tables in the temple.

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