A-Z: General definitions: Triumphal Entry

The name given to the man believed by Christians to be the Son of God. Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded most fully in the Four Gospels.

The city on a hill (Mt. Zion) which King David captured and made the capital of Israel. It was the site of the Temple built by Solomon and of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Today it is still a holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

In the New Testament Christians began to meet together on the first day of the week (the day on which the Resurrection took place).

1. Genesis indicates that death was not part of the orginal plan for human beings but is one of the consequences of the Fall. 2. The death of Jesus is presented as opening up the possibility of reconciliation with God.

Associated with peace rather than war, and therefore appropriate as the animal ridden by Jesus when he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

A ritual exclamation of praise and / or entreaty, often used in the Old Testament Psalms and in the New Testament associated with the Messiah who is believed to be Jesus.

1. Term for a worshipping community of Christians. 2. The building in which Christians traditionally meet for worship. 3. The worldwide community of Christian believers.

In the New Testament Christians began to meet together on the first day of the week (the day on which the Resurrection took place).

The Gospels describe how Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, greeted by crowds of people who waved palm branches and called out 'Hosanna' which means 'save now'.

As Jesus and his followers came near to Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of his disciples on ahead. He said,

‘As soon as you enter the next village, you will find a donkey and her young colt tied up. Bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say that the Lord needs them.’

When they brought the colt to him, they spread a cloak over its back and Jesus rode it. This was to fulfil the prophecy which said that a King, the promised Messiah sent from God, would come into Jerusalem riding a donkey. As they entered the city, crowds of people milled around them, laying their cloaks on the road, waving branches and shouting,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest!’

They came to the Jewish Temple, and Jesus went into the Temple courtyard, where the people could change money before making offerings and buying doves for sacrifices. Jesus seems to have been angered by the fact that this trade was happening within the Temple precincts, where people came to worship God (and possibly because some were being cheated). He overturned the tables, saying,
‘It is written that this is a house of prayer but you are making it a den of robbers!’ 

The story illustrates:

• The Christian belief that the life of Jesus fulfilled some of the prophecies written hundreds of years before in the Old Testament
• Jesus’ concern that God should be worshipped properly and his anger at wrong done to others.