John 12:13

Authorized King James Version

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Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Original Language Analysis

ἔλαβον Took G2983
ἔλαβον Took
Strong's: G2983
Word #: 1 of 23
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βαΐα branches G902
βαΐα branches
Strong's: G902
Word #: 3 of 23
a palm twig (as going out far)
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φοινίκων of palm trees G5404
φοινίκων of palm trees
Strong's: G5404
Word #: 5 of 23
a palm-tree
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 6 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξῆλθον went forth G1831
ἐξῆλθον went forth
Strong's: G1831
Word #: 7 of 23
to issue (literally or figuratively)
εἰς to G1519
εἰς to
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 8 of 23
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὑπάντησιν meet G5222
ὑπάντησιν meet
Strong's: G5222
Word #: 9 of 23
an encounter or concurrence (with g1519 for infinitive, in order to fall in with)
αὐτῷ him G846
αὐτῷ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 10 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 11 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔκραζον, cried G2896
ἔκραζον, cried
Strong's: G2896
Word #: 12 of 23
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
Ὡσαννά· Hosanna G5614
Ὡσαννά· Hosanna
Strong's: G5614
Word #: 13 of 23
oh save!; hosanna (i.e., hoshia-na), an exclamation of adoration
εὐλογημένος Blessed G2127
εὐλογημένος Blessed
Strong's: G2127
Word #: 14 of 23
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρχόμενος that cometh G2064
ἐρχόμενος that cometh
Strong's: G2064
Word #: 16 of 23
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 17 of 23
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
ὀνόματι the name G3686
ὀνόματι the name
Strong's: G3686
Word #: 18 of 23
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
κυρίου of the Lord G2962
κυρίου of the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 19 of 23
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλεὺς is the King G935
βασιλεὺς is the King
Strong's: G935
Word #: 21 of 23
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 22 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰσραήλ of Israel G2474
Ἰσραήλ of Israel
Strong's: G2474
Word #: 23 of 23
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)

Cross References

Revelation 15:3And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.Revelation 7:9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;Matthew 23:39For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.John 1:49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.Hosea 3:5Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.John 19:15But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.Zephaniah 3:15The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.Revelation 19:16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.Isaiah 44:6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.Leviticus 23:40And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

Analysis & Commentary

The crowds take palm branches, symbols of Jewish nationalism and military victory. Their cry 'Hosanna' (save now) blends Psalm 118:25-26, a messianic psalm. 'Blessed is the King of Israel' explicitly identifies Jesus as Messiah, but their understanding is political, not spiritual. The palm branches suggest they expect military deliverance from Rome. This demonstrates how right confession can rest on wrong foundation. They acknowledge Jesus as King but misunderstand His kingdom. Their fickle loyalty will soon shift to 'Crucify Him.'

Historical Context

Palm branches symbolized Jewish nationalism, featured on Maccabean coins. Psalm 118 was sung at Passover. The crowd's actions constituted potential sedition from Rome's viewpoint, explaining Pilate's later nervousness.

Questions for Reflection

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