Matthew 21:1–11; John 12:27–36

The Savior’s Triumphal Entry

The Savior made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, during which the people praised and worshipped Him with shouts of “Hosanna” (see Matthew 21:9). Jesus then taught the people about His mission to save them. This lesson includes an overview of Jesus Christ’s final week in mortality, which can help you feel a greater respect and reverence for Jesus Christ and His mission to save us.

A need for saving

Think about a time when you were in a difficult situation and needed someone else to help or save you.

• Why did you need help or saving?

• What might have happened if you had not received help?

• How did the experience influence your feelings toward the person who helped or saved you?

All of us need the saving power of Jesus Christ. We all make mistakes we cannot fix, experience losses we cannot recover, and face pains, persecution, tragedies, burdens, and disappointments we cannot handle alone. Reflect on your need for Jesus Christ. In your study journal, write down what you need Jesus Christ’s saving power to help you with.

In this lesson, seek the inspiration of the Holy Ghost to learn more about why the Savior Jesus Christ can save us from all mistakes, losses, pains, and situations we cannot fix.

Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry

Prior to entering Jerusalem for the final time, Jesus asked His disciples to bring Him a donkey’s foal, also known as a colt. The disciples covered the donkey and colt with their clothes, and they set the Savior on the colt (see Matthew 21:1–7; John 12:14–15).

Read Matthew 21:8–11 and John 12:12–13, looking for how the people responded to Jesus Christ as He entered Jerusalem. As you read, imagine yourself being present.

Many people offered shouts of “Hosanna,” which is a Hebrew word “that means ‘please save us’ and is used in praise and supplication” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Hosanna,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained the meaning of the people’s reaction to the Savior’s entry into Jerusalem:

Only kings and conquerors received such an extraordinary token of respect as this. … Amid shouts of praise and pleas for salvation and deliverance, we see the disciples strewing our Lord’s course with palm branches in token of victory and triumph. This whole dramatic scene prefigures that yet future assembly when “a great multitude” … shall stand “before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands,” crying with a loud voice, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:9–10.)

(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary [1965], 1:578)

1. Answer the following questions in your study journal:

• What might you have said, done, and felt if you had been present during the Savior’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem? Why?

• When have you felt like shouting “Hosanna” (offering sincere praise and gratitude) for Jesus Christ?

• Why might you shout “Hosanna” for the Savior now? In the future?

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey, many people recognized this as a public declaration that He was not only the promised Messiah but also the promised King of Israel. Many saw it as a fulfillment of scriptural prophecies such as the one recorded in Zechariah 9:9.

Many thought the Messiah would be a great military leader who would save them from Roman oppression. They misunderstood the Savior’s saving mission.

• What did Heavenly Father send Jesus Christ to save us from?

The Savior’s purpose and mission

After the Savior’s triumphal entry, “certain Greeks” who had come to Jerusalem to observe the Passover requested to visit with Him (see John 12:20–21). When Jesus learned of their request, He taught about His approaching suffering, death, and Resurrection. He explained that these final events in Jerusalem, including His imminent Crucifixion, were the entire purpose for His coming to earth (see John 12:23–33).

Read John 12:27–28, 32–33 and look for what Jesus said His purpose and mission are. (Note that the voice speaking from heaven is Heavenly Father’s voice expressing confidence that Jesus Christ would complete His Atonement.)

• What did Jesus teach about His purpose and mission?

• How can Heavenly Father’s confidence in Jesus Christ increase your confidence in the Savior’s ability and willingness to save you?

One way to summarize what the Savior taught in John 12:27–28, 32–33 is that Jesus Christ carried out His Atonement so that He can draw all of us unto Him.

The Savior testified of this same truth in 3 Nephi 27:13–15. Read this passage, looking for what these verses add to your understanding of this truth. You might want to cross-reference or link this passage to John 12:32.

An overview of the events of the Savior’s last week

Several events in the final week of the Savior’s mortal life were essential to His mission and purpose to save us by drawing us to Him.

The following infographic can help you better understand these events.

Look over the infographic. Read some of the scripture passages to become more familiar with the events described. Think about how the events contributed to Jesus Christ’s saving mission, and ponder how He can help and save you because of what He taught and did during this week.

In your study journal, write down questions that you have about these events and make note of which events you want to learn more about and why.

2. Answer the following questions in your study journal:

• What questions do you have about any of these events?

• Which do you want to learn more about? Why?

• How do you think learning more about these events can help you better understand Jesus Christ’s ability and desire to save us?

Optional: Want to Learn More?

What did the triumphal entry mean for the Jews, and what can it mean for us?

The Savior’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, during the observance of the Feast of the Passover, directly fulfilled the prophecy recorded in Zechariah 9:9–10 and publicly declared that Jesus was the promised Messiah and King of Israel. In ancient times, the ass, or donkey, was a symbol of Jewish royalty. During the time of the monarchy in ancient Israel, following the enthronement of King Saul, the Jews held annual reenthronement rituals that featured a king riding into Jerusalem upon a donkey. The rider approached Jerusalem from east of the city and came to the temple. These rituals foreshadowed the time when the Messiah would come to His people in this same way. Thus, at a time when Jerusalem was filled with Jews celebrating Passover, Jesus entered Jerusalem in a manner that demonstrated He was the Messiah, the King of Israel. Riding on a donkey also showed that Jesus came as a peaceful and “lowly” Savior, not as a conqueror upon a warhorse (see Zechariah 9:9–10).

At the Second Coming, Jesus will return to earth in great power and glory. As a symbol of His glory, He will come on a “white horse” rather than on the donkey that He rode into Jerusalem (see Revelation 19:11–16). He will also come to reign as “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Revelation 17:14; see also Revelation 19:16).

What can we learn from the use of palm leaves in the triumphal entry?

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Traditionally, palms are a sacred symbol to express joy in our Lord, as in Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, where “much people … took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him” [John 12:12–13; see also Matthew 21:8–9; Mark 11:8–10]. … In the book of Revelation, those who praise God and the Lamb do so “clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands” [Revelation 7:9]. Along with “robes of righteousness” and “crowns of glory,” palms are included in the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer [see Doctrine and Covenants 109:76]. …

(Gerrit W. Gong, “Hosanna and Hallelujah—The Living Jesus Christ: The Heart of Restoration and Easter,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 53)