Palm Sunday begins what is referred to as the “passion week,” covering the events leading up to the crucifixion, and ultimately the resurrection of Jesus.
Scripture doesn’t state that the triumphal entry was on a Sunday, but that it was “6 days before the Passover (see John 12:1).” Traditionally, we Christians celebrate it the Sunday before Easter.
If you are not familiar with the account, you can read about it in Matthew 21:1-11. There you’ll read about crowds of people greeting Jesus. Jerusalem was full of people from all over who had traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover week. People were there from all over to witness these amazing events.
There’s much to say about Palm Sunday and how the people of Jerusalem saw Jesus as an earthly king, coming to overthrow the oppressive Roman government and re-establishing the glory of Jerusalem from the time of King David.
What they didn’t realize then was that Jesus first had to suffer and die. The same people who shouted “Hosanna” at the triumphal entry were shouting “crucify him” just a few days later. All of this was a fulfillment of prophecy, and that’s what I would like to point out here.
Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies at his first coming, but what many people don’t know is that Daniel chapter 9 provided the EXACT DAY the Messiah would be revealed on what we call Palm Sunday.
In Daniel 9:20-27, we are told that it would be 483 years—of Jewish 360-day years—from the command to rebuild Jerusalem to the coming of Messiah the Prince. In Nehemiah 2, Artexerxes gave Nehemiah permission to go and rebuild Jerusalem. Biblically we know exactly what year this was (Jewish month of Nisan of Artaxerxes’ 20th reigning year), and from historical Babylonian records we know this command was actually on March 14, 445 BC.
We find that 483 years later—to the exact day—brings us to April 6th, AD 32, the date of the triumphal entry! From Artexerxes’ command to rebuild, to the day of the triumphal entry was exactly 173,880 days.
What’s really interesting is that, up until the moment of the triumphal entry, Jesus resisted any praise or worship. He told demons to be quiet (Luke 4:35). He told his mother that his time had not yet come (John 2:4). He asked why a rich, young ruler called him good (Mark 10:18).
He avoided the Messianic spotlight throughout his earthly ministry—until now. At the triumphal entry, Jesus said if people didn’t praise Him as the Messiah, then the stones would cry out. Jesus knew this was THE time prophesied by Daniel in Daniel 9.
The study of Bible prophecy opens up a whole new world of excitement as we see prophecies predicted hundreds (or even thousands) of years in advance being fulfilled to the exact day. No other religious book can make this claim. Bible prophecy proves the reliability and divine nature of the Bible.
If you are a believer, this is our season to rejoice as we consider how God’s plan for the first coming unfolded exactly as predicted, to win our salvation and secure our future. We can rejoice that the prophecies of the Lord’s return will come true in the same manner. God is a promise-keeper and His word will not fail.
If you are not a believer, please consider the witness of Bible prophecy to the veracity and reliability of Scripture. Who but God could write such a book that predicts future events that come to pass in exact detail? I challenge you (in a friendly, loving way) to look into these things for yourself.
