Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, marks the beginning of Holy Week - starting with Yeshua's entry into Jerusalem, where he was met with throngs of people laying palm branches and cloaks on the road, a gesture of honor and messianic hope. The unfolding of this event identified Yeshua as the promised Messiah - the King of peace and humility, contrasting with the expectations of a military leader.
Matthew 21:1-11 describes to us - from ancient eye-witnesses, how Yeshua entered Jerusalem on a donkey & to the crowd’s cries of “Hoshiana!” echoed Psalms and brought to mind memories of Jewish liberation under figures like David and Solomon: fulfilling the prophecy of Messiah, foretold in Zechariah 9:9, which underscored the event … "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey".
This Messianic event is rooted in Jewish tradition, where palm branches were used to honor figures like David and Solomon, and they became a symbol of liberation from oppression. The celebration includes recitations of the story of Yeshua's triumphal entry, which is recorded across all four Gospels (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19). The use of palm branches as a symbol of Jewish national independence gained prominence following the Maccabean victory. This imagery persisted into the time of Jesus, where it was employed by the people as a sign of their messianic hopes, hoping for liberation from Roman rule. [And when they got closer to Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, Yeshua said to two disciples, "Go into the village there, and you will find a donkey tied with her colt - bring them to me. And if any man should try to stop you, say to him, "the Lord has need of these; and he will stand aside." All this was done accordingly, that prophecy would be fulfilled that was spoken by the prophet Zechariah, saying, Tell the Daughter of Zion (referring to the city of Jerusalem), Behold! your King comes to you - humble, and riding a donkey, with her colt. And the disciples went, and did as Yeshua had directed them, and brought the donkey and her colt; and placed upon them their cloaks, and they set Him atop. And a great mass of people spread their cloaks and shawls on the ground before Him as He passed - others cut palm fronds, and laid them on the ground before Him. And the crowds before Him, and following, cried with a loud voice, "Hoshiana to the Son of David (a direct Messianic reference): blessed is He that comes in the name of The Lord; Hoshiana in the highest!" And when he had passed into Jerusalem, the people there asked, 'Who is this?" And the crowds of people surrounding Him, said, "This is Yeshua the prophet of Nazareth of galilee." ~Matthew 21:1-11]
The word "Hoshiana" comes from the Hebrew phrase הושיעה נא (hoshi’a na), which combines two elements: the verb ישע (yasha'), meaning "to save" or "to deliver," and the particle נא (na'), meaning "please" or expressing entreaty. Together, the phrase literally translates as "Save, please!" or "Please, Lord, save us!". It is an imperative form, making it a direct plea for help or deliverance.
In the New Covenant, in the Gospel of John - John specifically mentions palm branches during Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (John 12:12-13), highlighting the historical implication of the intent behind the palm branches. In the Book of Revelation John describes a vision of heaven where multitudes hold palm branches, symbolically linking past, present, and future redemption: [I beheld a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues - stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God, Who sits on the throne - and unto the Lamb." And all the angels stood round about the throne and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped Elohim, saying, "Amen: Blessing and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be to our God for ever and ever. Amen." ~Revelation 7:9-12]
