Mark 11:9
And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Psalm 118 was the last of the "Egyptian Hallel" psalms (Psalms 113-118) sung at Passover, celebrating God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and anticipating final messianic salvation. Every Jewish pilgrim knew these words by heart. The phrase "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" welcomed pilgrims to Jerusalem but here takes on profound messianic significance. When Jesus later quoted Psalm 118:22-23 about the rejected stone becoming the chief cornerstone (Mark 12:10-11), He revealed the paradox: the One the crowd welcomes as King will be rejected by the builders (religious leaders) and killed. Within a week, the same crowds would turn hostile, disappointed that Jesus wasn't overthrowing Rome. The Pharisees, hearing the commotion, demanded Jesus silence the crowd (Luke 19:39-40), recognizing the political danger of messianic claims. Jesus refused, declaring that if the people stayed silent, "the stones would cry out."
Questions for Reflection
- How does the crowd's cry 'Hosanna' reveal both right recognition of Jesus as Messiah and wrong expectations about the nature of His salvation?
- What does Psalm 118's original context of deliverance from Egypt teach about Jesus as the ultimate Exodus-bringer, delivering from sin and death?
- In what ways do Christians today risk celebrating Jesus as King while misunderstanding or avoiding the centrality of the cross?
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Analysis & Commentary
And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna (Ὡσαννά)—the Hebrew phrase hoshiya-na (הוֹשִׁיעָה־נָּא) literally means "Save now!" or "Save, we pray!" from Psalm 118:25. This psalm was sung during Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles, anticipating messianic deliverance. By shouting "Hosanna," the crowds plead for Jesus to save Israel from Roman oppression—political liberation uppermost in their minds.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord (Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου)—this quotes Psalm 118:26, clearly recognized as messianic. The phrase "he that cometh" (ho erchomenos, ὁ ἐρχόμενος) was a messianic title meaning "the Coming One." The crowds proclaim Jesus as God's authorized representative, coming "in the name of the Lord" with divine authority. They rightly identify Jesus as Messiah but fail to understand that His saving work requires death and resurrection, not military conquest. Their worship is genuine but incomplete, celebrating the King while missing the cross.