John 12:12-16 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,… Four heads of thought. — I. THE MULTITUDE. This a vast concourse of people who are accompanying Jesus from Bethany to Jerusalem, and of people coming out of Jerusalem to meet Him. It was composed of Galileans, of Jews from foreign countries, and even of Jerusalem (John 12:11), these latter being led by the miracle of the raising of Lazarus to reconsider the claims of Jesus, and to believe on Him, at least temporarily. The enthusiasm offers a sad contrast to the furious cry. "Crucify Him," so soon to be heard; but it seems sincere enough. With palm branches, symbols of triumph (Leviticus 23:40), and with loud acclamations, they welcome the King to the royal city. In verse 13 we have the Divine mission and the national work both recognized. II. JESUS HIMSELF. Hitherto He had resisted the enthusiasm of the people (John 6:15); now the time to yield to it has come. He sees the yielding to be in accordance with the Father's will. It is not a move calculated upon, but unfolding itself out of, the course of events. He does not say, "Now I will fulfil the prophecies which concern Me"; but simply accepts the situation, recognizing (as He always did) Divine guidance. Two things have to be done: 1. He has to assert Himself; He has openly to announce His true relation to the theocracy, and to take the consequences of doing so, which He clearly foresees. 2. He has to assert Himself in such a way as to give no countenance to mistaken Messianic ideas; but rather to symbolize the spiritual character of His royalty. This is accomplished by riding on an ass, and thus, in the most simple and natural way, the ancient prophecy is fulfilled (Zechariah 9:9). III. THE DISCIPLES. They had joined with the people in their homage to Jesus; but even they did not understand the significance of their actions. They had submitted to the influences of the moment; and afterwards, looking back, discovered that they had been unconscious instruments of fulfilling the purpose of God concerning His Son (cf. Acts 13:27). IV. THE OPPONENTS OF CHRIST. For the moment they seem paralyzed. "They had lost what they looked upon as their own. But it was their own after all; and it came back to them. The world at large does not and will not accept Christ. It swings back to its centre. Conclusion: We may learn how to distinguish between emotion and principle" between a momentary enthusiasm and the complete surrender of heart and will to the Saviour. (G. Calthrop, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, |
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