What Do People Get Wrong About Palm Sunday? (Matthew 21:1-11) | Daily Devotional & Bible Study

Palm Sunday is one of the best known moments in the Bible, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. Today we walk through Matthew 21 and Mark 11, from the crowd shouting 'Hosanna' to the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple. If you have ever felt like God is moving but things still feel unfinished, this episode will help you make sense of that tension.

"Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:9)

Questions this episode answers

What did the crowd expect on Palm Sunday?

The crowd recognized Jesus as King and shouted 'Hosanna,' which means 'save us.' Many hoped He would bring quick rescue from Rome. Jesus came as a humble King on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9, with a deeper rescue in mind.

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?

In Mark 11, Jesus found a fig tree full of leaves but with no fruit, and He cursed it. It was a prophetic picture of religion that looks good on the outside but bears no real spiritual fruit. Right after, He cleared the temple, which was busy but had lost its purpose as a house of prayer.

What does it mean when God is working but life still feels unfinished?

Holy Week shows that God's plan often unfolds in ways we don't expect. The crowd wanted quick results, but Jesus was heading toward the cross and the resurrection. Just because something isn't finished doesn't mean God isn't working.

Links

Studying the Gospels with a small group of women is at the heart of our Bible Study Live trip to Rome, where we visit a room connected by tradition to Luke's house.

Bible Study Live is a small-group Bible study trip with Rachael Groll. Study Scripture where it happened in Rome, or slow down for a contemplative Bible study retreat in Maui. Dates and details at BibleStudyLive.org

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