The Entry into Jerusalem (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Note
Exam code: 8062
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. (Mark 11:1–11)
Description of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey or colt (Mark calls it a “colt”)
People responded as though a great king or leader had entered the city:
People laid down palm branches and their coats to show respect
They shouted greetings, including: “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”, “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!” and “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
The significance of the entry into Jerusalem
This event is significant, as it is the start of the Passion narrative: the week of events that led to Jesus’s death
The method of Jesus’s entry is significant: He came into Jerusalem openly, being acclaimed as a “king”, not in secret or in a way that suggested that he knew the end of his life was near
Jesus’s entry is often called the “Triumphal Entry” because of how he was received by the crowds there. The people:
Laid down cloaks and branches, showing that they saw Jesus as a king
Shouted greetings, showing how important they thought he was
Used the word “hosanna”, which means “save now”, showing they believed Jesus had come to save them
By riding a colt or donkey, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9)
This shows Jesus’s humility — he was riding a donkey or colt rather than a stallion, a horse a warrior would ride
It also shows that Jesus came in peace, to be a peaceful Messiah rather than the military leader some were expecting the Messiah to be
Christians today remember these events on Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week, which leads up to Easter Sunday
Palm Sunday refers to the palm branches the crowd waved
It reminds Christians that Jesus came as a peaceful saviour and that they must keep faith in him, unlike those who turned against him in the events of the days that followed
Worked Example
What does Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a colt symbolise?
[1 mark]
A. That he came in peace and humility
B. That he was a warrior king coming to fight
C. That he was hiding from the crowds
D. That he rejected the Old Testament prophecies
Answer:
A. That he came in peace and humility.
This is the only correct answer. The colt also showed that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy about how the Messiah would enter into Jerusalem.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You will need to know the events of the last week of Jesus’s life in detail. Start a chart with the events of Palm Sunday. Note down:
The main events of each day
How Jesus was treated by the people around him
The titles given to Jesus
Also note down in a different colour why each event is important for Christians today. You will end up with a useful overview to use as a revision resource.
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