Event New Testament
The triumphal entry
Also known as Palm Sunday, The entry into Jerusalem
Approaching Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples for a colt and rode into the city while crowds spread cloaks and branches on the road and shouted words from Psalm 118, hailing Him as the Son of David who comes in the name of the Lord. Matthew and John say this fulfilled Zechariah's picture of a humble king on a donkey.
Why it matters. For the first time Jesus accepts public royal acclaim, and He does so in the manner Zechariah described: a gentle king on a donkey, not a warrior on a horse.
- Primary passages
- Dates
- AD 30 to 33 (approximate) (medium confidence, Passover week of the crucifixion under Pontius Pilate; AD 30 and AD 33 are the leading proposals)
The event belongs to the final week before the crucifixion, which is dated to AD 30 or AD 33 on calendrical grounds. FaithGraph records the range and does not choose.
- Witnesses
Chronology confidence: high
All four Gospels record the entry. Matthew cites Zechariah 9:9 explicitly and mentions both a donkey and her colt; the others mention the colt. Luke adds Jesus weeping over the city, treated by FaithGraph as its own event.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
Connections
Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus precedes The triumphal entry
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe healing at Jericho is the last recorded miracle before the ascent to Jerusalem in all three Synoptics.
Evidence:The anointing at Bethany precedes The triumphal entry
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceJohn narrates the entry on the day after the dinner at Bethany.
Evidence:The triumphal entry precedes Jesus weeps over Jerusalem
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceLuke records the weeping during the approach of the entry, as the city comes into view.
Evidence:Jesus participates in The triumphal entry
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceJesus sends for the colt and rides into Jerusalem.
Evidence:The triumphal entry occurs at Jerusalem
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceJesus enters Jerusalem and the whole city is stirred.
Evidence:The triumphal entry occurs at Mount of Olives
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe entry begins at Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives and descends toward the city.
Evidence:The triumphal entry develops the theme The Kingdom of God
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe crowds bless the coming kingdom of their father David as Jesus enters.
Evidence:The triumphal entry explicitly fulfills Zechariah 9:9
Explicit fulfillmentHigh confidenceMatthew introduces the citation with his fulfillment formula, and John says the disciples later understood that these things were written of Him.
Evidence: