Stein on the Triumphal Entry

Chapter 13- "The Triumphal Entry: Israel's King Enters Jerusalem."

"For Jesus the triumphal entry was a carefully orchestrated messianic act. It was a parabolic act that could be perceived by those with eyes to see but that was concealed for others. His messianic entry was shrouded in the same kind of secrecy that characterized his parabolic teaching on the kingdom of God and his use of the title 'Son of Man.' In conscious fulfillment of the messianic prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9, he arranged for an unridden donkey to be ready for him. Having fetched it, he rode into Jerusalem. He did not walk into the city as other pilgrims did; he rode. Yet he mounted no warrior stallion, for he was meek and humble. He rode into Jerusalem not to mount a kingly throne, but to fulfill his Father's mission. In majesty he rode on--to die!

The crowds knew little, if any, of this. The festive occasion and the coming of a famous celebrity worked together to inspire an enthusiastic pilgrim's welcome...The greeting of this pilgrim psalm was more fitting than realized, however. He who 'comes in the name of the Lord' was indeed coming to 'save' (hosanna). Yet here, as at Caesarea Philippi, the confession or greeting was not understood. Jesus was greeted as 'the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee' (Matthew. 21:11), not as Messiah and King. The people's understanding and messianic hopes were radically different; they could not understand this event. No doubt this lay within the divine will. The consequences of an open messianic welcome for Jesus would have brought about an immediate confrontation with Rome. Rome could not tolerate any Messiah or King of Israel. 

At the trial, when witnesses were sought to condemn Jesus and justify Roman political action, no mention was made of the triumphal entry. Clearly in the minds of Rome and the Jewish leadership this event was not understood as a messianic claim or challenge...

 The triumphal entry was a real event that Jesus had consciously arranged and carried out in fulfillment of his divine mission. Within a short time the enthusiasm greeting Jesus on this day would turn to a more hostile 'Crucify him!' (Mark 15:13-14). Yet this was his day. It was fitting to receive this enthusiastic welcome. In fact, if the crowds and disciples had not so responded, if they had remained silent, 'the stones would [have] shout[ed] out' (Luke 19:40).'"

--Robert Stein, Jesus the Messiah