35. Ps. cxiii.-cxviii.
36. Such were, and even now are, common demonstrations in the East, to welcome a
king, a conqueror, or a deliverer. For a large number of heathen and Jewish instances of
the same time, comp. Wetstein, ad loc. (i. pp. 460, 461).
37. I am aware, that so great an authority as Professor Delitzsch calls this in question
(Zeitschr. für Luther. Theol. for 1855, p. 653). But the testimony of the Midrash is against
him. Delitzsch regards it as the shout of the Feast of Tabernacles. But how should that
have been raised before the Feast of Passover? Again, it does not seem reasonable to
suppose, that the multitude had with full consciousness proclaimed Jesus as the
Messiah, and intended to celebrate there and then the fulfilment of the typical meaning of
the Feast of Tabernacles.
The anger and jealousy of the Pharisees understood it better, and watched for the
opportunity of revenge. But, for the present, on that bright spring -day, the weak,
excitable, fickle populace streamed before Him through the City-gates, through the
narrow streets, up the Temple -mount. Everywhere the tramp of their feet, and the shout
of their acclamations brought men, women, and children into the streets and on the
housetops. The City was moved, and from mouth to mouth the question passed among
the eager crowd of curious onlookers: 'Who is He?' And the multitude answered - not,
this is Israel's Messiah-King, but: 'This is Jesus the Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.' And
so up into the Temple!
He alone was silent and sad among this excited multitude, the marks of the tears He
had wept over Jerusalem still on His cheek. It is not so, that an earthly King enters His
City in triumph; not so, that the Messiah of Israel's expectation wo uld have gone into His
Temple. He spake not, but only looked round about upon all things, as if to view the field
on which He was to suffer and die. And now the shadows of evening were creeping up;
and, weary and sad, He once more returned with the twelve disciples to the shelter and
rest of Bethany.
Book V
THE CROSS AND THE CROWN
Chapter 2
THE SECOND DAY IN PASSION -WEEK
THE BARREN FIG-TREE
THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE
THE HOSANNA OF THE CHILDREN
(St. Matthew 21:12-22; St. Mark 11:15-26; St. Luke 19:45-48.)
How the King of Israel spent the night after the triumphal Entry into His City and
Temple, we may venture reverently to infer. His royal banquet would be fellowship with
the disciples. We know how often His nights had been spent in lonely pra yer,1 and
surely it is not too bold to associate such thoughts with the first night in Passion week.