30 Bible Verses for Palm Sunday

This Palm Sunday, let us reflect upon the powerful stories of Jesus’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem that are told in the Bible and draw upon a few key verses in order to deepen our understanding and magnify our gratitude.

The following bible verses for Palm Sunday provide us with invaluable messages of hope, encouragement, joy, peace, and victory.

Bible Verses for Palm Sunday

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

On the Sunday before his crucifixion, Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and was met by the people with outstretched arms, proclaiming Him as King of Israel.

This was a symbolic event to commemorate Jesus’ victory over sin and death and His willingness to sacrifice Himself for the salvation of humanity.

As He rode on a donkey, people spread their cloaks on the ground in front Him and proclaimed “Hosanna.” The Triumphal Entry marks both the Holy Week’s beginning when Jesus would ultimately redeem mankind, as well as Christ’s final days on earth before His resurrection.

Matthew 21:9

“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!””

Matthew 21:9 tells the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, during which both those who went ahead of him and those who followed shouted praises and words of honor to him.

The “Hosanna to the Son of David” phrase was a proclamation honoring Jesus as an authoritative figure in line with King David from centuries prior.

Mark 11:9-10

“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!””

These verses refers to the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, where in a display of celebration and admiration for Jesus, those who followed He proclaimed praises to Him on behalf of the coming Kingdom established by King David.

Luke 19:38

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Luke 19:38 is a quote from the crowd when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. It’s an expression of adoration, worship, and praise towards Jesus.

The people were so ecstatic to see him that they hailed him as King as he entered the city with words that express their joy, such as “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in highest!”

This passage is symbolic of his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion and speaks about God’s presence among us even still today.

John 12:13

“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!””

John 12:13 recounts the Jewish people welcoming him with Hosanna shouts and spreading their palm branches on the ground as a symbol of making Jesus king.

This was done in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy as it declared that one day, a righteous King would come in His name to save God’s people from their suffering and deliver them from evil.

Zechariah 9:9

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

This verse is a prophecy of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

It speaks of joy and shouting for Daughter Zion (Jerusalem) as King Jesus comes riding on a donkey, displaying His humble faithfulness to God’s plan and demonstrating that He was not a military conqueror but rather the Prince of Peace.

This verse symbolically shows how even in His triumphal return, Jesus honored meekness by coming on this low animal, demonstrating humility and yielding Himself completely to God’s will.

The Purpose of the Palm Sunday

The importance of the triumphal entry, also known as Palm Sunday, was to signify Jesus entering Jerusalem as a king.

Admirers rejoiced in his presence, waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” The public announcement of his messianic identity symbolized him not only as a teacher or miracle worker but reacted to the prophetic fulfillment that he would come to be our savior.

Mark 11:1

“Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.”

These verse provide insight into the purpose of Palm Sunday. Jesus entered Jerusalem and went around the temple courts, sensing that something was about to happen there.

He then left with his twelve disciples to Bethany as it was late in the day. Through this passage, we can understand that Jesus made an entrance into Jerusalem to gain attention ahead of what he had planned next, a plan of salvation for all people through selfless acts such as miracles and teachings, culminating in his death on the cross at Calvary hill.

The vast amount of public spectators no doubt gave him further assurance in knowing God’s will would be done according to His plan; marked by palm branches being laid down before Him symbolizing honor, celebration, and victory over sin which demonstrates the reason behind Palm Sunday still celebrated today.

Luke 19:41-44

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

In these verses, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem as he approaches it. He laments that they did not recognize the time of God’s coming to them and if they had done so, it would have brought them peace.

Furthermore, He points out the fate that will come upon those who do not accept Him, they will be attacked and destroyed by their enemies.

This passage demonstrates Jesus’ understanding of His purpose in coming to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, that while many welcomed Him with open arms at first glance, soon enough He would become an enemy to some who rejected Him and thus suffer a cruel death due to their unbelief in his teachings.

John 12:12-15

“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!””

Matthew 21:1-11

“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

Zechariah 14:4-5

“On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah.”

The Significance of Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday has immense spiritual importance as it portrays Jesus in all his glory while still embodying humility; he entered Jerusalem in a way no king would have done at that time.

The holiday serves to remind believers everywhere about Jesus’ selfless act to save humankind from sinfulness and mortality; it acknowledges his authority as Lord our Savior above everything else too!

John 12:16

“At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.”

John 12:16 is referring to the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. At the time, his disciples did not understand why people were celebrating him or what all this meant for him.

Once Jesus was crucified and resurrected and glorified, they could look back upon this day with hindsight that revealed how important it truly was.

This event marked a huge turning point in Jesus’ ministry: he entered as a humble King but left ready to finish his saving work on the cross, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about himself along the way.

John 12:16 emphasizes Palm Sunday’s ultimate significance as an epicenter of God’s plan for humanity’s redemption; something that would become clear only later when seen in retrospect by His followers after His crucifixion and resurrection had taken place.

Luke 19:45-46

“Then he entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

In Luke 19:45-46, Jesus symbolically enters Jerusalem during the festival of Palm Sunday and goes to the temple where he finds that business transactions involving money changing have taken place.

He becomes outraged when he realizes that what his Father’s house is meant for prayer has been used by others for their own gain and profit.

This demonstrates to us, even today, how important it is to keep our church sanctuaries places of holiness and faithfulness regardless of our circumstances or motivations

Matthew 21:12-13

“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’””

Isaiah 62:11

“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’”

Isaiah 62:11 is a prophecy from Isaiah about the coming of Christ. It speaks of Jesus as Savior and his reward with him for carrying out God’s plan.

For the Christian faith, this verse serves to remind believers that Jesus came to earth in humility, but also brings with Him a victorious reward waiting for His return.

This prophecy speaks directly to the significance of what happened during Palm Sunday, when Jesus presented himself symbolically riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, marking him as both King and humble servant come in fulfillment of scripture prophesy.

Hebrews 9:28

“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

This verse speaks of Jesus’ sacrificial death, which took away the sins of many people. This is significant in regard to Palm Sunday, as it refers to Jesus’ willingness and humility to sacrifice Himself on behalf of mankind.

It further reassures us that Christ will return a second time soon, to bring salvation and eternal life to those who are waiting for His return.

Thus, this verse reinforces Palm Sunday’s message that despite the hardships we experience today due to sin, God calls upon us obediently lay down our lives before Him so He may fulfill unity with Him through His power alone by coming back again in full glory.

The Prediction of Jesus Death and Resurrection

On Palm Sunday, the significance of Jesus’ arrival to Jerusalem is highlighted, as the prediction of his death and resurrection was being fulfilled.

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus speaks of this eventual sacrifice for mankind and subsequent revival three days later: an event that was foretold in Old Testament prophecies.

This crucial part of Jesus’ mission as Savior implies a greater purpose than can simply be observed; thus it represents one major theme among many to commemorate on this holiest day.

Matthew 26:2

“You know that the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

Matthew 26:2 describes Jesus predicting his imminent death and resurrection.

He states that in two days he will be “handed over” to be crucified, foretelling of the events to follow culminating with his resurrection three days later.

Mark 14:21

“The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

Jesus is directly addressing his disciples in Mark 14:21 by predicting His own death. He explains that although it may seem frightening, the prophecy must be fulfilled and he will go just as it has been written about Him (in Scripture).

Jesus also issues a warning to anyone who betrays Him, saying that they would be better off not having been born. This incident serves as an indicator of Jesus’ sacrifice for all humankind and was especially meaningful for His followers at the time.

Luke 24:7

“The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”

This verse is a reference to Jesus’ prediction of his own death and resurrection. It states that he must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified on the third day, and then come back again after being resurrected.

This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus was arrested in Jerusalem, convicted unjustly by Pontius Pilate for claiming to be the King of Israel, and then ultimately rose from death three days later.

This event has great historical significance as it is a major cornerstone in the Christian faith and has served as an inspiration for many believers throughout history who have turned their eyes towards God despite hardships.

John 2:19-22

“Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.”

John 2:19-22 also refers to the moment when Jesus predicted his own death and resurrection.

The Jews who heard him initially thought he was referring to the physical temple in Jerusalem, however, it was later revealed that Jesus had been speaking of his body as a symbolic temple.

After rising from the dead, His disciples remembered what He had said and settled into the belief in Scripture which foretold of these events.

Isaiah 53:3

“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”

Isaiah 53:3 is another prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection, describing how he would be despised by many and rejected by mankind.

It foreshadows the cross where he will suffer and endure pain for all people. This passage speaks to the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus was willing to make on behalf of humanity in order to save them from sin and bring hope into their lives.

The Message of Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, we remember and celebrate Jesus’ powerful act of sacrifice as he entered Jerusalem. This symbolic entry marked the start of Holy Week, where Christ eventually accepted His fate to die for our sins.

Not only did this attest to his divine status but the humility He demonstrated by willingly sacrificing Himself further emphasizes God’s unforgettable love for us all.

We are reminded that Jesus is indeed our savior and King who has come to redeem humanity, if we accept Him as such, through His immense act of selflessness and courage.

Philippians 2:8-11

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Colossians 2:14-15

“Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

John 3:16-17

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The Importance of Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, we remember the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem as a demonstration of His power and authority as the Messiah.

People gathered to welcome Him in joy and praise, waving palm branches and laying down their cloaks to show their respect.

This event symbolized Jesus’ kingship and mission to save humanity through death and resurrection, a fulfillment of prophecy that is today recognized with celebration for its ultimate sacrifice.

Matthew 21:9

“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!””

John 12:13

“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!””

Luke 19:38

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Zechariah 9:9

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Psalm 118:25-26

“Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.”

Palm Sunday Prayer

Heavenly Father,

on this Palm Sunday we come before You filled with gratitude. We praise You for sending us Jesus and the hope He brings to our lives. Enable us to honor Him by following in His steps and serving others as He served us.

In Jesus name, Amen.