Exposition of John, Chapter 12 · Verse 8
Verſe 12. On the next day much people that were come to the Feaſt, when they heard that Jeſus was coming to Hieruſalem,
13. Took branches of palme trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried Hoſanna, bleſſed is the King of Iſrael, that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Followeth to v. 20. the ſecond part of the Chapter, wherein is recorded, Chriſts triumphant entry into Jeruſalem according as was fore propheſied. Wherein, being now about to die, he will firſt be publickly honoured (after the manner of receiving Kings into Cities) and proclaimed King of Iſrael, and Davids ſucceſſour, in ſuch a manner as became his ſpiritual Kingdome, and that in deſpite of all his enemies. This triumph, as it is recorded by this Evangeliſt, may be taken up in theſe. 1. The multitudes part in it, verſe 12, 13. 2. Chriſts own part and action in it, verſe 14, 15. 3. The Diſciples not underſtanding of all this at preſent, verſe 16.4. The ſeen cauſe moving the multitude to act thus, verſe 17, 18. 5. The Phariſees part in all this ſolemnity, verſe 19. As for what is further, and more amply recorded of this by the other Evangeliſts, I remit to its proper place.
In theſe verſes is recorded the carriage of the multitude who are come to the Feaſt; who, (the next day after that many had been with Chriſt at Bethany) hearing that he was coming to the City, do ſolemnly meet him, carrying branches of Palm-trees, and, with loud acclamations, do proclaime him King of Iſrael, who is bleſſed, and cometh in the Name of the Lord. As for their action, of carrying branches of Palm trees (with ſome whereof they ſhewed the way, Matth. 21.8. and others, it would ſeem, they carried in their hands) we finde, indeed, uſe made thereof at the feaſt of Tabernacles Lev. 23.40. Neh. 8.15. Now they carry them before him at this feaſt of the Paſſeover, to teſtifie that he is the ſubſtance of all the feaſts; And by this act, beſide what was ſignified by the feaſt of Tabernacles, is pointed out, that he is a triumphant and victorious King, which is elſewhere ſignified by carrying of palms, Rev. 7 9. As for their acclamations, they do thereby acknowledge that they ſee him to be the bleſſed Meſſiah and King of Iſrael, authorized and ſent by the father to performe this glorious work; And as for their Hoſanna, (borrowed from Pſalme 118.25. as appe…reth from the following words, Bleſſed is he who cometh in the Name of the Lord, taken from v. 26. of that Pſalm) it ſignifieth, ſave now we beſeech the…, as it is rendred in that Pſalme. And albeit it we take it as directed to Chriſt, by way of prayer that he would ſave them, it doth import, that it is a ſpecial way of honouring Chriſt in his Kingdome, when we ſeek and expect ſalvation from him, and in him only; yet that ſeemes not to be their ſcope here, for, Matth 21.9. it is, Hoſanna the Son of David, or, make ſafe now, or, bring ſafety now to the ſonne of David; And ſo it imports their hearty wiſh that his Kingdom may proſper. Doct. 1. If Chriſt ſaw it meet, he could get himſelf glory, not only among ſpiritual obſervers; but even in the view of the world; for, by this ſolemn triumph he diſcovers how eaſily he could open the eyes of men to diſcern what he is, and incline their hearts to flock unto him, and proclaime his glory. So that it is not for want of power that Chriſt doth ſo often obſcure his glory under a vaile. 2. As Chriſt can let out his glory when he pleaſeth; ſo, in particular, he delights to appear moſt glorious in and about his ſufferings; for, here he, who oftentimes entred Jeruſalem privately, will now at this laſt time, when he is going to the croſſe, enter in ſtate. He will go triumphing to it, as well as he triumphs on it, Col. 2, 15. and after it, Pſalme 68.18. 3. When Chriſts enemies are raging at him and his ſucceſſe, he can vex them yet more, by ſpreading his glory more and and more; for, when they are vexed with hea…ing of the confluence at Bethany, verſe 20, 11. even the next day, they ſee him more glorified, coming to Jeruſalem. 4. When men of great eminency in the Church do ſlight Chriſt, he can raiſe up others, even the meaneſt, to honour him, and ſet out his praiſe, for, it is not the Rulers, nay nor inhabitants of Jeruſalem, who do this, but much people that were come to the feaſt, See Mat. 21.15, 16. 1 Cor. 1.27. 5. As it is the duty of the Lords people, to attend all the Ordinances appointed by him; So their chief care ſhould be to meet with Chriſt, and to be moſt taken up with him in them; for, albeit they were come to the feaſt, yet, when they heard that Jeſus was coming to Jeruſalem, they went forth to meet him. 6. In Chriſt is to be found the ſubſtance of all the feſtivities and ſolemnities that were among the Jews; for, before him they carry Palmes, at the Paſſeover, which were uſed at another feaſt to teſtifie that the ſtance of all tryſted in him. 7. Chriſt is a triumphant and victorious conquerour, who triumphs over all his enemies, and makes his people alwayes to triumph in him, 2 Cor. 2.14. Therefore alſo is he met with branches of palm-trees 8. It is the duty and commendtion of the members of the viſible Church, that they be well acquainted with Scripture; for, here the mult… tude do not only know, but can apply paſſages in the Pſalmes, and concerning Davids off-ſpring, very fitly to Chriſt; And if they underſtood ſo much in theſe declining times, how much will this aggravate their guilt, who are groſſely ignorant in a time of clear light? 9. Chriſt is the true King of Iſrael and of his Church, to rule, ſubdue, protect, and defend them; and they who get open eyes, will ſee this, and embrace him as ſuch; for they acknowledge him, the King of Iſrael. This he will have proclaimed in the world, oppoſe who will, Pſ. 2.7. compare, ch 1.49. 10. It doth commend Chriſt unto his people, that he comes with his Fathers power and authority, being approved and upheld by him in hi… Kingdome; So that all who embrace him, will finde the Father well-pleaſed in him, for this addeth to the joy and acclamation, He is the King of Iſrael, that cometh in the Name of the Lord, and upon this followeth, peace in heaven, or betwixt God in heaven, and us, Luke 19.38. 11. Chriſt is a King perfectly bleſſed in himſelf, and a fountaine of bleſſi…g to all his …ubjects, and he is to be proclaimed and commended as ſuch; for, bleſſed is the King of Iſrael &c. So Pſ. 72 15. and 118.26 It is he in whom all families of the earth are bleſſed, Gen. 12.3. and in whom they ſhould bleſſe themſelves, Gen. 22.18. as it is in the original. 12. It is the duty of all ſuch as love Chriſt, hea…ly to wiſh and pray for the proſperity of his Kingdom; for, they cried Hoſanna, as wiſhing ſafety and ſucceſſe to him and his Kingdome.