What is Palm Sunday? Bible Story and Meaning Today

Jesus Enters Jerusalem: The Triumphal Entry 

"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once." 

This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'"

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee." - Matthew 21:1-11

All four Gospels offering unique details to the events of Palm Sunday:

Matthew 21:1-11 emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy, noting that Jesus instructs two disciples to fetch a donkey and its colt. He rides the colt, symbolizing humility and peace, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy. The crowd spreads cloaks and branches on the road, shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!"

Mark 11:1-11 provides a concise account, mentioning Jesus sending two disciples to retrieve a colt. As He rides into Jerusalem, people spread cloaks and leafy branches, proclaiming, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Luke 19:28-44 focuses on the crowd's reaction, describing how they spread their cloaks on the road and joyfully praise God for Jesus' miracles, saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" Notably, Luke omits the mention of palm branches. As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, He weeps over the city, foretelling its future destruction.

John 12:12-19 is the only Gospel explicitly mentioning palm branches. It highlights the crowd meeting Jesus with palm branches, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" John connects this event to the recent raising of Lazarus, indicating the crowd's enthusiasm stems from witnessing this miracle.

Read more: Palm Sunday Scriptures

Why did Jesus ride a Donkey?

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He chose to ride a donkey rather than a horse or walk on foot. This wasn’t just a random choice—it was full of symbolic meaning and fulfilled ancient prophecy.

Zechariah 9:9 had foretold this event centuries earlier, saying, “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey.” By choosing to ride a donkey into Jerusalem, Jesus was making a bold declaration: He was the long-awaited Messiah, the King Israel had been expecting.

But His choice of a donkey wasn’t just about fulfilling prophecy—it was also deeply symbolic. In ancient times, kings rode warhorses when they came to conquer, but they rode donkeys when they came in peace. Jesus wasn’t arriving as a warrior ready to overthrow Rome; He was coming as a King of peace, bringing salvation through humility and sacrifice.

Riding a donkey also reflected His humility. Unlike a warhorse, a donkey was a simple, lowly animal, often used by common people. This choice echoed Jesus’ entire mission—He wasn’t coming as a political or military leader, but as the Suffering Servant, the one who would lay down His life for the world.

Palm Sunday in 2025

This year, Palm Sunday will be on Sunday April 13, 2025. This begins Holy Week, leading to Easter on Sunday, April 20th, 2025.

See the timeline and meaning of Holy Week: When Is Holy Week in 2025? Holiday Dates for Easter and More

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Palm Sunday began in the Jerusalem Church approximately the late third century. Observances consisted of hymns, prayers, and Bible readings as people traveled through the many holy places within the city. At the final place, the site of Jesus’ ascent into heaven, the ministry would recite the biblical passage of Jesus’ victorious entrance into Jerusalem. Then as dusk neared, the people would return to the city declaring: “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9). 

This tradition continued until the sixth and seventh centuries when the ceremonial blessing of the palms was included. By the eighth century, a morning procession substituted the evening one and the Western Church was celebrating what we now know as “Palm Sunday.”

Today, many churches give out palm branches (or sometimes substitutes like olive branches or other greenery if palms aren’t available). Some congregations even reenact Jesus’ entry, with children or church members walking in a procession while waving their branches.

In some traditions (like Catholic and liturgical Protestant churches), the palm branches from Palm Sunday are kept and later burned to make the ashes used for Ash Wednesday the following year.

The music on Palm Sunday is often joyful and triumphant, with songs celebrating Jesus as King. Some churches incorporate classic hymns like "All Glory, Laud, and Honor", while others take a more modern approach with praise songs.

Photo credit: iStock/Getty Images/Yehoshua Halevi

"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!" "Blessed is the king of Israel!" Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: "Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." 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. Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word.  Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!" - John 12:12-19

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey". - Zechariah 9:9

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. - Mark 16:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." - John 3:16-17

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3 

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." - Psalm 1:1-6

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“Palm Sunday is like a glimpse of Easter. It’s a little bit joyful after being somber during Lent.” - Laura Gale

“Palm Sunday's thought; Life is full of ups and downs. Glorify God during the ups and fully trust in Him during the downs.” - Anonymous

“Lord, we lift up your name. With hearts full of praise; Be exalted, O Lord my God! Hosanna in the highest!” - Carl Tuttle

“Have a blessed Palm Sunday. Remember a week before he was crucified like a criminal, he rode into the city a king.” - Anonymous

"Alleluia, how the people cheer And palm leaves rustle as the king draws near." - John Beavis

RELATED PODCAST: Join Pastor John Stange as he explains what can bring you peace with his Palm Sunday sermon! 

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