NOTES for Mar 11:1-11

The evangelists mention several occasions when the people were already prepared to proclaim Jesus “King of Judea,” that is, the Messiah. Each time He avoided this “honor.” Though in His case quotation marks might seem entirely unnecessary. But that is only how it seems. It is no accident that He publicly proclaims His messiahship only when there can no longer be any talk of a mass popular movement or a messianic war: it is too late.

Now He had to win one more victory, a victory over the people's traditional messianic expectations. It is no accident that He enters Jerusalem on a donkey: this is how the most ordinary people of modest means traveled the roads of Judea. It evokes no image of a triumphant king. By this very entry into Jerusalem, Jesus makes it clear that there will be no messianic war.

He does not, of course, deny that He is the Messiah; now He does not even conceal it. But neither does He follow popular tradition. It is as though He says to those meeting Him in the city streets: “You consider Me the Messiah? Well, you are right. But then accept Me as I truly am, not as your tradition or imagination portrays Me. I have brought you the Kingdom; it is open to everyone who wishes to enter. But I will not follow the crowd's lead. Those who are ready, follow Me. But remember how I entered Jerusalem.”