Palm Sunday Bible Verses & Devotional
Welcome the King with these KJV scriptures about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the start of Holy Week, and the meaning of 'Hosanna.'
Welcome the King with these KJV scriptures about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the start of Holy Week, and the meaning of 'Hosanna.'
"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." — Matthew 21:9 (KJV)
Palm Sunday begins Holy Week — the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while crowds laid palm branches at His feet and shouted 'Hosanna!' These King James verses recount that triumphant moment, the prophecies it fulfilled, and the bittersweet truth that the same crowds would soon cry 'Crucify Him.' Use them for Palm Sunday services, Holy Week devotions, and to prepare your heart for Good Friday and Easter.
Key Themes of Palm Sunday Verses
The Coming King
Jesus rode into Jerusalem deliberately fulfilling Zechariah 9:9 — declaring Himself the promised King of Israel.
Key Verse: Zechariah 9:9Hosanna — Save Now
'Hosanna' literally means 'save now.' The crowds cried for political deliverance; Jesus came for far greater salvation — from sin and death.
Key Verse: Psalm 118:25Meekness on a Donkey
Conquering kings rode warhorses. Jesus rode a donkey colt — the King of peace, gentle and lowly, bringing salvation by sacrifice.
Key Verse: Matthew 21:5The Bittersweet Welcome
The crowds cheered on Sunday and demanded crucifixion by Friday. Palm Sunday reminds us that surface enthusiasm is not true discipleship.
Key Verse: Luke 19:41Download the Complete KJV Bible — Free PDF
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Palm Sunday Verses — KJV Scriptures
Matthew 21:9
The triumphal cry of the crowds
"And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."Read in context
Zechariah 9:9
Prophecy fulfilled 500 years later
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."Read in context
John 12:12-13
Why we call it Palm Sunday
"On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 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."Read in context
Mark 11:9-10
Mark's account of the triumphal entry
"And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest."Read in context
Luke 19:37-38
Praise that echoed Christmas
"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; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."Read in context
Luke 19:41-42
The King who weeps over His city
"And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes."Read in context
Psalm 118:25-26
The Hosanna psalm sung at Passover
"Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD."Read in context
Matthew 21:5
A King of meekness, not military might
"Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass."Read in context
John 12:14-15
Jesus deliberately fulfilling prophecy
"And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt."Read in context
Matthew 21:10-11
The city stirred by His arrival
"And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."Read in context
Philippians 2:8
The path from palms to the cross
"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."Read in context
Revelation 7:9-10
Palm branches in heaven's worship
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude... stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."Read in context
Prayer Points for Palm Sunday Verses
- •Welcome Jesus afresh as King over your life today
- •Cry 'Hosanna' — ask Him to save you and those you love
- •Confess any fickle, surface-level following in your faith
- •Pray for your city as Jesus wept over Jerusalem
- •Prepare your heart for Holy Week — Good Friday and Easter
- •Worship the Lamb worthy of every palm branch in heaven
Palm Sunday is the doorway into Holy Week. The crowds cheered an earthly king; Jesus came as the Lamb of God. As we wave palm branches in worship, may we follow Him not just on the easy days of celebration, but all the way to the cross — and into the joy of resurrection morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Palm Sunday in the Bible?
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week before His resurrection (Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, John 12). Crowds laid palm branches and cloaks on the road and shouted 'Hosanna,' welcoming Him as King.
What does 'Hosanna' mean?
'Hosanna' is a Hebrew expression meaning 'save now' or 'save, please.' It comes from Psalm 118:25. The crowds were quoting this Passover psalm, asking the Messiah to bring salvation — though most expected political, not spiritual, deliverance.
Why did Jesus ride a donkey?
Jesus deliberately fulfilled Zechariah 9:9, which prophesied the Messiah-King would come 'lowly, and riding upon an ass.' Donkeys symbolized peace; conquering kings rode horses. Jesus declared Himself King — but the King of peace, not war.
What is the best Bible verse for Palm Sunday?
Matthew 21:9 captures the moment: 'Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.' Zechariah 9:9 is the prophecy fulfilled, and Psalm 118:25-26 is the song the crowds were singing.
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