Luke 19:37
And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
Original Language Analysis
Ἐγγίζοντος
And when he was come nigh
G1448
Ἐγγίζοντος
And when he was come nigh
Strong's:
G1448
Word #:
1 of 28
to make near, i.e., (reflexively) approach
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 28
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
πρὸς
at
G4314
πρὸς
at
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 28
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χαίροντες
to rejoice
G5463
χαίροντες
to rejoice
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
18 of 28
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸν
God
G2316
θεὸν
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
21 of 28
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
φωνῇ
voice
G5456
φωνῇ
voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
22 of 28
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
μεγάλῃ
with a loud
G3173
μεγάλῃ
with a loud
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
23 of 28
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
περὶ
for
G4012
περὶ
for
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
24 of 28
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ὧν
that
G3739
ὧν
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
26 of 28
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Mark 13:3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,Mark 14:26And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.Matthew 21:1And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
Historical Context
The descent from the Mount of Olives provided a dramatic vantage point where pilgrims would catch their first view of Jerusalem's Temple gleaming in the sun. Jewish pilgrims traditionally sang the Hallel Psalms (including Psalm 118:25-26, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!') as they approached Jerusalem for Passover. The crowd's praise fulfilled these liturgical expectations while directing them explicitly at Jesus.
Questions for Reflection
- How would your worship deepen if it were rooted more in 'mighty works you have seen' rather than abstract theology?
- What does the phrase 'whole multitude' teach about corporate worship—is your praise joining with or isolated from the church?
- Why do you think the sight of Jerusalem triggered this explosion of praise from those who knew Jesus's predictions about the city?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen (ἅπαν τὸ πλῆθος τῶν μαθητῶν...αἰνεῖν τὸν θεὸν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, hapan to plēthos tōn mathētōn...ainein ton theon phōnē megalē). The phrase whole multitude emphasizes unanimous worship—not just the Twelve, but all disciples present. Praise (αἰνέω, aineō) means to tell forth God's excellence; with a loud voice (φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, phōnē megalē) indicates unrestrained exuberance, likely singing the Hallel Psalms (113-118).
Luke uniquely specifies they praised God for all the mighty works (περὶ πασῶν ὧν εἶδον δυνάμεων, peri pasōn hōn eidon dynameōn)—the healings, exorcisms, nature miracles, and especially Lazarus's resurrection. Their worship flows from witnessed evidence, not mere emotion. The descent of the Mount of Olives brought Jerusalem into view, triggering this crescendo of praise as Jesus appeared to claim His city.