Why is it called 'Palm Sunday' when the Gospels mention branches but not specifically palm branches?+
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) refer to 'branches cut from trees,' while John 12:13 specifically mentions 'palm branches.' The Sunday before Easter is called Palm Sunday based primarily on John's account. Additionally, palm branches held special significance in Jewish tradition as symbols of victory and celebration, making them a natural choice for crowds welcoming a messianic figure. The term 'Palm Sunday' became the standard name for this observance in Christian tradition.
Is there a difference in how long Jesus's triumphal entry took or how quickly it happened according to the different Gospel accounts?+
The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) do not specify the duration of the entry itself, suggesting it was a single event that day. John's Gospel emphasizes the purpose—that the crowd gathered because they had heard of Lazarus's resurrection—but does not provide timing details that differ from the others. All accounts present the triumphal entry as a singular, climactic moment in Jesus's ministry leading up to his crucifixion.
What happened to the crowd that shouted 'Hosanna' during Palm Sunday by the time of Jesus's crucifixion later that week?+
The Gospels do not explicitly state that the same individuals who praised Jesus during the triumphal entry were among those who demanded his crucifixion. However, Jesus's crucifixion occurred in Jerusalem before a different crowd, and it's possible that public opinion shifted between Sunday and Friday, or that different groups were present. The Gospels focus on the events themselves rather than tracking the specific individuals through the entire week.