But the chief priests ,.... With the rest of the sanhedrim: consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death ; as well as Jesus, and that for no other crime, but because he was raised from the dead by him; which shows what consciences these men had, and how horribly wicked they were; that they stopped at nothing, whereby they might satisfy their malice and envy, and secure their worldly interests and advantages. read more
Because that by reason of him ,.... Of the miracle which was wrought upon him, in raising him from the dead, of which he was a living and an abiding witness: many of the Jews went away ; not from Jerusalem only, but from the chief priests and Pharisees, and the rest of the Jews, that combined against Christ; they withdrew themselves from their party, and deserted them: and believed on Jesus ; as the Messiah; so that they found their interest was decreasing and weakening every day,... read more
On the next day, much people that were come to the feast ,.... Of the passover; and they were much people indeed, that came yearly to this feast, from all parts of the nation; for all the males in Israel, were obliged to appear at this time; and though the women were not obliged, yet multitudes of them came, and the fame of Jesus might bring the more; add to which, that there was now a general expectation of the Messiah's coming, which brought the Jews from all parts of the world, to... read more
Took branches of palm trees ,.... The Ethiopic version adds, "and young shoots from Jerusalem"; these grew in great plenty, on one part of the Mount of Olives, that next to Bethany, from whence that town had its name; for it signifies the house of dates, the fruit of the palm tree; See Gill on Matthew 21:17 . And as that tree was a sign of joy and victory, they carried branches of it in their hands, as they met the King Messiah, who was about to make his public entrance into Jerusalem, in... read more
And Jesus, when he had found a young ass ,.... Which he sent his disciples for, to a neighbouring village, and they brought to him: sat thereon, as it is written ; in Zechariah 9:9 though some part of the words seems to be taken out of Isaiah 62:11 ; See Gill on Matthew 21:5 ; and so Nonnus paraphrases it here, "that it might be fulfilled which Esaias said". read more
Fear not, daughter of Zion ,.... But rejoice; see Zechariah 9:9 and See Gill on Matthew 21:5 . read more
These things understood not his disciples at the first ,.... Or "at that time", as the Syriac and Persic versions render it; or "on that day", as the Ethiopic version; they did not then know the sense of that prophecy, nor that the things which were now doing were a fulfilling of it: but when Jesus was glorified ; was raised front the dead, and ascended to heaven, and was set down at the right hand of God, crowned with glory and honour; and when having received the promise of the Father,... read more
The people therefore that was with him ,.... The Jews, that came from Jerusalem to Bethany, to comfort the two sisters of Lazarus upon his death, who believed in Christ; and others of the town of Bethany, who with them were along with Christ: when he called Lazarus out of his grave ; saying, Lazarus, come forth: and raised him from the dead ; to life: bare record : to the Jews at Jerusalem, and to the people that came out of the several countries, of the truth of that fact;... read more
For this cause the people also met him ,.... This was a principal reason, among others, which induced them to set out in the manner they did, with palm tree branches in their hands, and accost him as the king of Israel, when they met him, and hosanna'd him into the city: for that they heard that he had done this miracle ; the witnesses were so many, and the proofs they gave so strong, that they firmly believed it: and this being a most amazing miracle, and which exceeded even any of the... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 12:9
Much of the people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there ,.... That is, many of the Jews that dwelt at Jerusalem, knew that Jesus was at Bethany; for it being but two miles from Jerusalem, the report of his being come soon reached thither: and they came from Jerusalem to Bethany, not for Jesus' sake only ; to see him, and hear him, and observe what he said and did: but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead ; that is, whom Jesus had raised from... read more