Jesus Enters Jerusalem as a King

²⁸ After Jesus said this, he went on toward Jerusalem. ²⁹ As Jesus came near Bethphage and Bethany, towns near the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent out two of his followers. ³⁰ He said, “Go to the town you can see there. When you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here to me. ³¹ If anyone asks you why you are untying it, say that the Master needs it.”

³² The two followers went into town and found the colt just as Jesus had told them. ³³ As they were untying it, its owners came out and asked the followers, “Why are you untying our colt?”

³⁴ The followers answered, “The Master needs it.” ³⁵ So they brought it to Jesus, threw their coats on the colt’s back, and put Jesus on it. ³⁶ As Jesus rode toward Jerusalem, others spread their coats on the road before him.

³⁷ As he was coming close to Jerusalem, on the way down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of followers began joyfully shouting praise to God for all the miracles they had seen. ³⁸ They said,

³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell your followers not to say these things.”

⁴⁰ But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if my followers didn’t say these things, then the stones would cry out.”

Jesus Cries for Jerusalem

⁴¹ As Jesus came near Jerusalem, he saw the city and cried for it, ⁴² saying, “I wish you knew today what would bring you peace. But now it is hidden from you. ⁴³ The time is coming when your enemies will build a wall around you and will hold you in on all sides. ⁴⁴ They will destroy you and all your people, and not one stone will be left on another. All this will happen because you did not recognize the time when God came to save you.”