The Prelude to the Passion of Jesus

The Prelude to the Passion of Jesus

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is marked with a curiously ambiguous story, the so-called triumphal entry. On the way into the city, the people welcome him with honor, although their reference to “the coming kingdom [realm] of our ancestor David” (11:10) contrasts with Jesus’ consistent proclamation of the already inbreaking realm of God. But once Jesus arrives in the city, the conventional welcoming party of city officials is not reported to be there to greet him. Jesus looks around at everything and retires to establish his own home base just outside the city, in Bethany…