The events recorded in Matthew 21:1-17 took place on what later became known as “Palm Sunday.” It is so called because a multitude went out to meet Jesus as He was coming to Jerusalem. They were carrying palm branches evidently to mark the entrance of a victorious King (John 12:13). In fact, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah the prophet on that day which says, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). It is significant that the multitude gave Jesus a king’s welcome by spreading on the road before Him their clothes and tree branches (2Kings 9:13). Their words matched their actions for they cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” The Son of David is a Messianic title for the king in David’s line Who will reign forever.
Later that day in the temple when Jesus healed blind and lame people, the children echoed the sentiments expressed earlier by the multitude, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” The chief priests and scribes were indignant for they knew that Jesus was being hailed as Messiah. This indignation of Israel’s religious leaders would soon be shared by the people. Their cries of praise to their King on Palm Sunday would be replaced with shouts of “Let Him be crucified” on Good Friday. Jesus was not surprised for He knew on Palm Sunday even amidst the Messianic fervor that Israel had rejected Him, and would within a generation experience God’s wrath (Luke 19:41-44, 21:20-24; cp. Mat 21:33-45, 24:1-2).