John 12:13
What does John 12:13 mean?
A plain-English look at John 12:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 12:13 means
Palm branches in hand, the people go out to meet Jesus and cry, in language of praise and appeal, that blessing belongs to the one coming in the Lord’s name—the King of Israel. They ascribe to Him messianic kingship. Palms, associated with victory and national hope, heighten the political overtones. Their words are true in a deeper way than many of them realize: Jesus is the promised King. Yet He will claim His throne not by force but by suffering. This verse captures a moment of joyous confession that also carries seeds of confusion about the nature of His reign.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000took the branches of the palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried out, Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901took the branches of the palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried out, Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Took branches of palm-trees and went out to him, crying, A blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862took the branches of the palms, and went forth to meet him, and were crying, `Hosanna, blessed <FI>is<Fi> he who is coming in the name of the Lord--the king of Israel;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him and cried Hosanna. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890took branches of palms and went out to meet him, and cried, Hosanna, blessed [is] he that comes in the name of [the] Lord, the King of Israel.
Context
The crowd’s acclamation follows the buildup of interest from the Lazarus sign. As they hail Jesus as Israel’s King, the narrative immediately shows Jesus choosing a young donkey to ride. This choice will frame the meaning of His kingship in terms of Zechariah’s prophecy of a gentle, saving ruler. The disciples will process these events only later. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses to Lazarus’s raising continue to spread the report, drawing even more people and provoking the Pharisees’ frustrated assessment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 118:25
Save now, we beseech thee, O Jehovah: O Jehovah, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.
- John 19:15
They therefore cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar.
- Revelation 19:16
And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
- Leviticus 23:40
And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days.
- John 19:19
And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- John 1:49
Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel.
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