The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is narrated in Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–44 and John 12:12–19. The following comparison is primarily based on the New International Version (NIV):[1]
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Disciples' task set by Jesus
Matthew 21:1–5
Jesus, the disciples and the crowd went to Bethphage from Jericho (20:29).
Jesus ordered two disciples: "In that village you'll find a donkey and her colt, untie them and bring them to me."
"Say that the Lord needs them."
Narrator claims this fulfilled a prophecy.
Mark 11:1–3
Jesus, the disciples and the crowd went to Bethphage and Bethany from Jericho (10:46).
Jesus ordered two disciples: "In that village you'll find a colt, untie it and bring it to me."
"Say that the Lord needs it and will return it shortly."
Luke 19:28–31
Jesus, the disciples and the crowd went to Bethphage and Bethany from Jericho (19:1–11).
Jesus ordered two disciples: "In that village you'll find a colt, untie it and bring it to me."
"Say that the Lord needs it."
John 12:12–13
Jesus and disciples went to Bethany (12:1) from Ephraim (11:54): no instructions for disciples
Crowd from Jerusalem went out to meet Jesus with palm branches: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!"
Fetching the donkey(s)
Matthew 21:6–7
Two disciples fetched the donkey and colt.
[no reaction owners/bystanders]
two disciples brought donkey and colt to Jesus.
Jesus sat on both simultaneously.
Mark 11:4–7
Two disciples fetched the colt.
Bystanders: "Why?" Two disciples explained.
Two disciples brought colt to Jesus.
Jesus sat on the colt.
Luke 19:32–35
Two disciples fetched the colt.
Owners: "Why?" Two disciples: "The Lord needs it."
Two disciples brought colt to Jesus.
Jesus sat on the colt.
John 12:14–15
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it.
[no reaction owners/bystanders]
Narrator claims this fulfilled a prophecy.
Entry and reaction
Matthew 21:8–11
Disciples and followers spread their cloaks on the road, or cut branches from trees and spread those on the road.
Disciples/followers: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
Jerusalem was stirred: "Who is this?"
Crowds: "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Mark 11:8–11
Disciples and followers spread their cloaks on the road, or cut branches in the field and spread those on the road.
Disciples/followers: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
Jesus entered the Temple and took a look around, but returned to Bethany because it was already late.
Luke 19:36–44
Disciples their cloaks on the road and praised God.
Disciples: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
Pharisees: "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
Jesus: "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
Jesus wept and predicted the destruction of Jerusalem.
John 12:16–19
The disciples did not understand why Jesus was welcomed with these words, but remembered after his death, concluding this was a prophecy that had been fulfilled.
