The Two Entries Into Jerusalem.
This Is Appendix 153 From The Companion Bible.
Most "Harmonies" assume that
because each Gospel records an entry of the Lord into Jerusalem the four
accounts must be identical because they are similar: and
therefore conclude that because they differ in certain particulars there
are "discrepancies". Whereas, if we
treat them in their chronological sequences, and have regard to the
antecedent and consequent circumstances, the supposed discrepancies will
disappear, and the similar, but diverse, expressions will be seen to be
necessary to the different events. In this present
case, one entry (Matthew 21:1-9) takes place
before the other, which is recorded in (Mark 11:1-10, Luke
19:30-34, and John
12:12-15).
1. In Matthew the Lord had actually
arrived at Bethphage. In Luke He "he was come nigh"
(engisen); in Mark "they were
approaching" (engizousin).
2. In Matthew the village lay just
off the road (apenanti); in Luke and Mark it
was below them, and opposite (Katenati).
3. In the former, two animals
were sent for and used; in the latter, only one.
4. In the former, the prophecy of Zechariah
9: 9, which required
the two animals, is said to have been
fulfilled; in latter, the prophecy was not said to be
fulfilled, and only so much of it is quoted (John 12:15) as agrees with
it.
5. The former seems to have been
unexpected, for "all the city was moved, saying,
'What is this?' " (Matthew 21: 10,11), while, if there
was only one entry, the two accounts are inexplicable, seeing that the
later and subsequent entry was prepared for : much people in
the city "heard that He was coming", and "went forth
to meet Him" (John 12:12,13).
The latter, therefore, was the great formal entry of
the Lord, called "the Truimphal Entry", which took place on
what is called "Palm Sunday". The
first had special reference to the whole work of His mission. He came on
the ass with its unbroken colt, the clothes being put some on one and some
on the other, and the Lord sitting on "them" - the
clothes (not on both beasts). He came to cleanse the Temple, and
make His final presentation of the King and the Kingdom.
But when He came on the one-an ass's colt-it was in
judgement, to pronounce the doom on the city; and on the nation.
When He appears again it will be to a nation which
will then say (as the result Zechariah 12:10): "Blessed
is He that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 23:39).
For the events of the "six days before the
Passover", see Appendix 156; and
the note on the various passages.
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