Luke 19: Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
How did Zacchaeus know about Jesus and want to see him?
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Luke 19:1–4 Zacchaeus, a very rich tax collector, was in Jericho when Jesus passed through. He wanted to see Jesus but could not, because he was much too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead of the procession, climbed a fig tree, and waited for him to come his way.
King James
Luke 19:1–4 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
How did Jesus know who Zacchaeus was?
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Luke 19:5 When Jesus came to the tree, he looked up and saw him. “Zacchaeus, hurry down from there, for I must be a guest at your house today.”
King James
Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Was it common for Jesus to invite himself to someone’s home? Why?
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Luke 19:5 When Jesus came to the tree, he looked up and saw him. “Zacchaeus, hurry down from there, for I must be a guest at your house today.”
King James
Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Why did Jesus want to go to the house of someone who was not popular with the people?
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Luke 19:6–7 Zacchaeus scrambled down the tree and gladly welcomed Jesus.
The people who saw what had happened complained. “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
King James
Luke 19:6–7 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
How many people might Zacchaeus have defrauded?
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Luke 19:8 Later, Zacchaeus stood before Jesus. “Sir, I will give half my wealth to the poor. If I have defrauded anyone, I will pay back four times the amount.”
King James
Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Why did Jesus say that Zacchaeus was “a true son of Abraham”?
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Luke 19:9–10 “Today,” Jesus said, “salvation has come to this house, because this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to find and save those who are lost.”
King James
Luke 19:9–10 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. )
Why did people think the Kingdom of God was near? What were they expecting?
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Luke 19:11 While the people surrounded him, listening, he gave this illustration, because they were near Jerusalem and some people thought the Kingdom of God was about to appear.
King James
Luke 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
When the prince was gone, what were the ten servants to do?
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Luke 19:12–13 “A prince went to a faraway country to be made king and then return. Before leaving, he called ten servants and gave each of them three months’ wages. ‘Take care of business until I get back,’ he said.”
King James
Luke 19:12–13 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Why was one servant condemned? What happened to him?
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Luke 19:14–23 “Citizens who hated the prince sent delegates to tell the one who would appoint him, ‘We do not want this man ruling over us.’ Nevertheless, he was made king and came home. He called his servants to find out how they had done with their money. The first said, ‘Sir, I have gained ten times as much with your money.’ ‘Well done,’ the king said. ‘Because you have been faithful with a small amount, I am appointing you to govern ten of my cities.’ The second servant said, ‘Sir, I have gained five times as much with your money.’ ‘Well done,’ the king said. ‘You will govern five of my cities.’ Another servant said, ‘Sir, here is your money back. I kept it wrapped up and safe while you were gone. I was afraid to do more, because I knew how demanding you are. You get a return with no investment. You reap a harvest where you have not planted.’ The king said, ‘You worthless servant. Your own words condemn you. If you knew I was demanding, reaping where I did not plant, why didn’t you at least invest the money with a lender? Then when I returned, I could have had my investment with added interest.'”
King James
Luke 19:14–23 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
Why was the condemned servants money given to the one who had the most? Why did people object?
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Luke 19:24–26 “He said to those standing nearby, ‘Take his money and give it to the one who earned ten times as much.’ But they objected, saying, ‘But sir, he already has so much.’ The king said, ‘More will be given to those who use what they have. But those who do not will lose what little they have.”
King James
Luke 19:24–26 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
What right did the king have to execute dissenters? What happened to the other seven servants?
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Luke 19:27 “‘Now, bring those citizens who did not want me to be king and let them be executed in my presence.'”
King James
Luke 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
How did Jesus know what would happen when two disciples went to find a donkey and take it?
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Luke 19:29–34 As Jesus approached Bethphage past Bethany, he stopped at the Mount of Olives and sent two disciples ahead, saying, “Go to the next village. There, you will find a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it, and bring it to me. If someone asks, ‘Why are you taking that donkey?’ say, ‘The Master needs it.'” The disciples did as they were told and found the colt, just as Jesus had said they would. As they were untying it, the owners said, “Why are you taking that donkey?” And they said, “The Master needs it.”
King James
Luke 19:29–34 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
What do you think a king’s usual mode of transportation would be when he entered a city?
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Luke 19:35 They brought the colt and laid their coats on its back for Jesus to sit upon.
King James
Luke 19:35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
As Jesus rode toward Jerusalem, why did people spread their garments before him?
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2 Kings 9:13 They quickly grabbed their coats, spread them on the stairs, blew the trumpets, and said, “Jehu is king.”
Luke 19:35–36 They brought the colt and laid their coats on its back for Jesus to sit upon. As he went, people spread their garments on the road before him.
King James
2 Kings 9:13 Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.
Luke 19:35–36 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
What prompted so many people to gather outside Jerusalem’s city gates? Why were they cheering?
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Luke 19:37–38 At the valley beyond the Mount of Olives, as Jesus came near to Jerusalem, a joyful crowd of followers cheered and shouted praises for all the miracles they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king sent by God, who brings peace. Let the heavens rejoice and God be glorified.”
King James
Luke 19:37–38 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
Why did Pharisees complain about what people were saying?
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Luke 19:39 Some Pharisees in the crowd complained to Jesus, “Teacher, you should rebuke your followers for saying such things.”
King James
Luke 19:39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
Why would the stones have to shout praises if the people had been quiet?
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Luke 19:40 “You can be certain,” Jesus said, “that if they kept quiet, the stones would have to shout praises.”
King James
Luke 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
Why was Jesus crying when he entered Jerusalem?
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Luke 19:41–44 As he came closer to the city, he wept. “Oh, if you only knew the peace that is available to you today, but you cannot see it. The day will come when your enemies will surround and lay siege upon you from all sides. They will cut you down, level with the ground, with you and your children within the walls. Because you failed to recognize your time of visitation, they will not leave one stone standing on another.”
King James
Luke 19:41–44 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
John describes Jesus driving out the merchants early in his ministry. Do you think Luke is describing that event or another time when Jesus drove out the merchants? Why?
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Luke 19:45–46 When Jesus entered the Temple, he drove out the merchants doing business there, saying to them, “The scriptures say the Temple will be called a house of prayer, but you have turned it into a hangout for robbers.”
John 2:13–16 That spring, when it was almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the Temple, he found merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices. Dealers had set up tables to exchange foreign money for the half-shekel Temple tax. After making a whip from small cords, Jesus drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the moneychangers’ coins, and overturned their tables. To those who sold the doves, he said, “Get these things out of here. Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace.”
King James
Luke 19:45–46 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
John 2:13–16 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
Why did religious leaders want to get rid of Jesus?
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Luke 19:47–48 He continued to teach in the Temple, but the chief priests and teachers of the Law looked for some way to get rid of him. But they were unable to do anything because the people were so captivated by his teaching.
King James
Luke 19:47–48 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, and could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.