Liturgical day · kjv
What Is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday is the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, greeted by crowds waving palm branches and crying "Hosanna!" It begins Holy Week — the final week of Christ's earthly ministry.
History & Origin
The event is recorded in all four Gospels. Jesus entered Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives on a young donkey — fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. The crowds, gathered for Passover, recognized messianic imagery: a king arriving in peace, not on a warhorse. They spread cloaks and palm branches before him, shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David." Within a week, many in that same crowd would cry "Crucify him." Palm Sunday's significance lies in this tension — the royal welcome that precedes the suffering.
How It Is Observed
Churches distribute palm fronds or crosses folded from palm leaves. Many congregations begin the service outside with a procession, then read one of the Passion narratives — setting the tone for the sorrow of the week ahead. In some traditions the palms from one year are burned the following year to make ashes for Ash Wednesday.
Scripture for Palm Sunday
Matthew 21:9
“And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.”
Zechariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”
John 12:13
“Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
Mark 11:9
“And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
Luke 19:38
“Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why palm branches?
Palm branches were symbols of victory and triumph in the ancient Near East. The crowd used them to recognize Jesus as a conquering king — though the conquest he came to achieve was over sin and death, not Rome.
What does "Hosanna" mean?
Hosanna is a Hebrew word meaning "save us" or "save, we pray." In context it had become a shout of praise and a plea for messianic deliverance.
Why did Jesus ride a donkey?
He rode a donkey to fulfill Zechariah 9:9 and to signal peace. In the ancient world, conquering kings rode warhorses; kings arriving in peace rode donkeys. It was a deliberate, messianic sign.
When does Palm Sunday fall?
Palm Sunday is the Sunday immediately before Easter — the first day of Holy Week. The date moves each year with Easter, falling between mid-March and late April.