People often ask, “What is Palm Sunday?” This is the first day of what is often called Holy Week ending 7 days later on Easter Sunday. That is the purpose of this page, offering a comprehensive resource all about the Biblical story of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey. The Palm Sunday story can be found in all four Gospels. See below for links to sermons, songs, stories and Scripture references and learn all about this wonderful event.
The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet Him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord — the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: Fear no more, Daughter Zion; look! your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.
John 12:12-14 HCSB
In fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 62:11 & Zechariah 9:9), Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds lined the street shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 118:25-26) What was the meaning of Palm Sunday to all those who were there? It likely depended on who you were. To Jesus’ disciples and those who had been healed or otherwise ministered by Him, it was a day of triumph. A day to celebrate Jesus openly coming to Jerusalem and be recognized by the entire nation. For the Romans, it was just more trouble, another possible rebellion led by a prophet from Galilee. For the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus meant trouble. Their wealth and power was predicated on them keeping the peace. They had already decided that Jesus must die. They just weren’t sure how to make it happen with so many folks shouting His praises.
The people placed palm branches and robes in front of Jesus. This was particularly disturbing to the religious leaders who were jealous of Jesus. They demanded that Jesus silence the crowd, but he responded that even if the crowd were silent, the stones would cry out.
The events of the next week would forever change the world. Jesus entered Jerusalem and the crowd welcomed him as a king. By the end of the week they were demanding his death. His followers abandoned him in fear. None of his close followers had really understood the events of Palm Sunday and Holy Week until after Jesus returned. They had all expected Jesus to be an earthly king, but God had given them something so much better – an open door into a Kingdom that would never end.
Palm Sunday, in the Christian calendar is the Sunday before Easter, sixth and last Sunday in Lent, and the first day of Holy Week. Palm Sunday 2024 is celebrated on March 24. The other important days of Holy Week include:
Palm Sunday – Jesus enters Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday – The Last Supper and betrayal.
Good Friday – The arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus.
Easter Sunday – The day Jesus rose from the grave.
A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:8-9 NIV
Read the Palm Sunday Scripture in five popular translations – AMP, KJV, HCSB, NIV, The Message:
Matthew 21:1-11 – Mark 11:1-11 – Luke 19:28-44 – John 12:12-19
Read the Old Testament verses related to the Palm Sunday story in five popular translations – AMP, KJV, HCSB, NIV, The Message:
Psalm 118:25-26 – Isaiah 62:11 – Zechariah 9:9
Check out all the wonderful Christian content linked below and learn more about the Palm Sunday story.
Children’s Bible Stories – Scriptures and Adaptations on the Jesus Entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday – The Palm Sunday story from The Baldwin Project
Palm Sunday Parade – The Palm Sunday story based on Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44 and John 12:12-19
Palm Sunday For Children – A very short version of the Palm Sunday story from Matthew
Children’s Stories – Original Fiction Based on Palm Sunday
Hanna’s Parade – Hanna was a little sick donkey who wanted to be well – a story about Palm Sunday and the healing power of faith in Jesus.
Pokey, the Little Burro – A Palm Sunday children’s story. Includes words to a related Palm Sunday song
Children’s Activities, Crafts, Coloring Pages, Music, Plays & Poetry for the Palm Sunday Story
Candy Palm Tree – Craft idea and includes a link to an object lesson
Palm Sunday Palm Branch – Make a Palm Sunday palm branch
Palm Sunday, Good Friday & Easter – Craft and lesson ideas
The Triumphal Entry – A Palm Sunday coloring page
Palm Sunday Coloring Page – Jesus rides on a donkey into Jerusalem.
The Palm Sunday Song – An original children’s song sung to the tune “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain”.
Donkeys On Parade – A short puppet script for Palm Sunday.
Children’s Sermons & Lessons on Jesus Entering Jerusalem on a Donkey
From Cheers To Jeers – The cheers of Palm Sunday turn to jeers on Friday – a Palm Sunday Bible lesson.
Hanna’s Parade Bible Lesson – A Bible lesson based on the children’s story, Hanna’s Parade. A Parable about faith and healing.
The King Is Coming! – A Bible lesson based on the Palm Sunday story.
People Wave Palms – A Palm Sunday children’s lesson.
Palm Sunday Celebration – A Palm Sunday children’s message by Terry Taylor.
Jesus Rides On A Donkey – An Outline for a children’s lesson on Palm Sunday in English and Spanish.
Look, Your King Is Coming – This page explores Palm Sunday and the events surrounding Jesus’ triumphant trip(s) into Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday Devotion – Includes a fictional short story and lesson ideas.
A Rock Concert – A lesson on Palm Sunday.
Devotions, Discussions & Sermons and Other Resources Explaining What Is Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday Stuff – Links to many different Palm Sunday resources
Palm Sunday– Additional Palm Sunday resources
Annie’s Palm Sunday Page – Lots of good information and links for Palm Sunday
Seven Days to Live – An examination of Jesus last days on earth written by Bill Hybels the senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois.
Palm Sunday Sermon – The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem – By Charles Haddon Spurgeon on August 18, 1861 – Scripture: Matthew 21:5
Palm Sunday Customs – Information on religious customs from The Catholic Encyclopedia.
The Days of Holy Week – A discussion on the traditions surrounding Palm Sunday and Holy Week.
Palm Tree – Summary from Smith’s Bible Names Dictionary.
Palm Tree – Summary from Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary.
A Donkey and Her Colt – A discussion on the alleged discrepancies in the Gospel account of Palm Sunday.
Grand Entrance – Test your knowledge of Palm Sunday with this short quiz.
The Two Entries Into Jerusalem – This is a link to Appendix 153 of E.W. Bullinger’s Companion Bible. For those who have attempted to harmonize the Gospel accounts of Palm Sunday, trying to force all events into one trip, I believe this is the correct interpretation. And Bullinger’s Appendix 156, Six Days Before The Passover, puts the entire week in proper sequence.
Palm Sunday – Secular view of Palm Sunday and traditions around the globe
Search for Other Christian Web Sites.
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enjoyable reading this.
Thank you for all the information on palm Sunday, I find it very useful as a mom, a teacher and aunt to teach little one about how important it is Easter to us as a believer.
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