Paper 172 Overview: Going into Jerusalem

Jesus and his apostles arrived in Bethany on Friday afternoon, March 31, where arrangements had been made for him to stay with Simon while large numbers of visitors sought to see both Jesus and Lazarus. The chief priests were informed of Jesus' presence but decided against trying to seize him among his friends, preferring to wait until he entered Jerusalem. Despite the danger of the Sanhedrin's death decree, Jesus remained remarkably calm and composed, while his apostles kept watch over him in shifts and many armed themselves with swords.

On Sunday afternoon, Jesus deliberately organized a public entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey to fulfill the prophetic description of a peaceful king coming to the city. As the procession moved toward Jerusalem, crowds placed garments and branches on the road before him and shouted "Hosannas." When Jesus reached the summit of Olivet and saw the city, he wept over Jerusalem, predicting its destruction for failing to recognize "the time of divine visitation." While the demonstration created temporary protection from arrest, Jesus understood that the people's enthusiasm was superficial and would not endure.

Jesus and the apostles arrived in Bethany shortly after four o'clock on Friday afternoon, where arrangements had been made for Jesus to stay with Simon rather than with Lazarus. Many people visited Jesus that evening, with the Bethany residents understanding that Jesus was not seeking earthly kingship despite others' expectations that he might defy the Sanhedrin's death decree. The chief priests knew Jesus was in Bethany but decided it would be wiser to wait until he entered Jerusalem before attempting to seize him.

Jesus displayed remarkable calmness despite the danger, which amazed even his apostles who took turns watching over him during the night, many with swords concealed on their persons. Early the next morning, crowds of pilgrims arrived from Jerusalem, even on the Sabbath, hoping to see both Jesus and Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

The chief priests and Pharisees were aware that Jesus was in Bethany, which pleased them because he would be under their jurisdiction, but they were concerned about his boldness and the problem of Lazarus, whose resurrection had convinced many people. Six days before Passover, after the Sabbath ended, the people of Bethany and Bethpage honored Jesus and Lazarus with a public banquet at Simon's home, deliberately defying the Sanhedrin's decree. Martha directed the meal service while Mary and other women watched from the sidelines, as Jewish custom prevented women from sitting at public banquets.

During the banquet, Mary approached Jesus with an alabaster container of valuable ointment, anointed his head, and then poured the remainder on his feet, wiping them with her hair. When some people complained about the waste, particularly Judas Iscariot who suggested the ointment could have been sold to help the poor, Jesus defended Mary's actions. Jesus explained that she had kept this ointment for his burial and that her act of devotion would be remembered wherever the gospel was preached throughout the world. This rebuke deeply wounded Judas Iscariot, who began seriously contemplating revenge, while the chief priests decided that Lazarus must also be killed since his very existence provided evidence of Jesus' power.

On Sunday morning in Simon's garden, Jesus gathered his twelve apostles to give them final instructions before entering Jerusalem. He instructed them to refrain from public teaching during their Passover visit to Jerusalem and to stay close to him, watching and praying. Jesus knew that many of his followers were carrying concealed weapons but made no mention of this fact as he briefly reviewed their ministry from their ordination near Capernaum to the present day.

Earlier that morning, David Zebedee had given Judas the funds from selling the Pella encampment equipment, which Judas then entrusted to Simon for safekeeping in anticipation of their Jerusalem visit. Following his meeting with the apostles, Jesus spoke privately with Lazarus, instructing him to avoid capture by the Sanhedrin, advice that later led Lazarus to flee to Philadelphia. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Jesus maintained an unusual cheerfulness that prevented his followers from fully grasping the impending crisis, as they failed to comprehend his warnings about his approaching death.

Around one-thirty on Sunday afternoon, Jesus prepared to leave for Jerusalem, feeling deep affection for Bethany and its people. Unlike Nazareth, Capernaum, and Jerusalem which had rejected him, Bethany had fully accepted and believed in him, which is why Jesus chose to perform his greatest miracle—raising Lazarus—in this village where faith already existed rather than to create faith through the miracle. Jesus had considered how to make his entry into Jerusalem, knowing that Herod and the Sanhedrin were plotting his death and that this visit would culminate in his crucifixion.

Jesus decided to make a public entry into Jerusalem, not to gain popular favor or power, but to fulfill a prophecy from Zechariah describing a peaceful king coming to Jerusalem riding on a donkey. He sent Peter and John to Bethpage to secure a colt, while David Zebedee sent messengers ahead to Jerusalem to spread word of Jesus' approach, bringing thousands of visitors out to meet him. The procession began joyfully with followers throwing garments and branches on the road and shouting "Hosanna to the son of David!" When Jesus reached Olivet and saw Jerusalem, he wept over the city, predicting its future destruction for failing to recognize him. The Pharisees who observed the demonstration feared that "all the world will go after him," though Jesus knew the enthusiasm was superficial and would quickly fade.

After the triumphal entry, the Alpheus twins returned the donkey to its owner while Jesus and the ten apostles walked through the temple observing the Passover preparations. The Sanhedrin feared arresting Jesus because of his popularity with the crowds, which was precisely why Jesus had permitted the public demonstration—to give the people of Jerusalem, both residents and visitors, one final opportunity to hear his message of salvation.

As evening approached, the crowds dispersed to find food, leaving Jesus and his immediate followers alone. The apostles were thoughtful and silent after the day's unusual events. Jesus and the apostles sat by the treasury watching people make contributions, and Jesus called attention to a poor widow who gave two small copper coins, saying she had given more than all the wealthy contributors because she had given "all that she had, even her living." After surveying the temple courts one more time, recalling his previous visits, Jesus said, "Let us go up to Bethany for our rest," and departed with Peter and John to Simon's house while the other apostles found lodging in Bethany and Bethpage.

As the apostles returned to Bethany that evening, Jesus walked ahead while they followed in silence, experiencing conflicting emotions about the day's events. When they reached Simon's house, they separated without discussion, though none of them slept much except for the Alpheus twins. Each apostle reacted differently to the day's experience: Andrew was preoccupied with his leadership responsibilities; Peter was disappointed that Jesus didn't capitalize on the public enthusiasm with a powerful pronouncement.

James Zebedee felt confused by Jesus allowing the celebration but then doing nothing at the temple; John partially understood the symbolic significance of Jesus riding on a donkey as fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy; Philip was relieved when Jesus didn't ask him to feed the multitude; Nathaniel recognized the practical purpose of the demonstration in preventing immediate arrest; Matthew became excited when he realized the connection to prophecy; Thomas found humor in Jesus' clever strategy to avoid immediate arrest; Simon Zelotes initially expected a national uprising but ended the day completely disillusioned; the Alpheus twins thoroughly enjoyed the day without analyzing its meaning; and Judas Iscariot was disgusted by what he considered a childish display, particularly affected by the ridicule from a Sadducean friend which intensified his thoughts of deserting Jesus and the apostles.