12 On the morrow, a great multitude that came to the feast, having heard that Jesus doth come to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of the palms, and went forth to meet him, and were crying, 'Hosanna, blessed 'is' he who is coming in the name of the Lord—the king of Israel;' 14 and Jesus having found a young ass did sit upon it, according as it is written, 15 'Fear not, daughter of Sion, lo, thy king doth come, sitting on an ass' colt.' 16 And these things his disciples did not know at the first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were having been written about him, and these things they did to him. 17 The multitude, therefore, who are with him, were testifying that he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and did raise him out of the dead; 18 because of this also did the multitude meet him, because they heard of his having done this sign, 19 the Pharisees, therefore, said among themselves, 'Ye see that ye do not gain anything, lo, the world did go after him.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 12:12-19
Commentary on John 12:12-19
(Read John 12:12-19)
Christ's riding in triumph to Jerusalem is recorded by all the evangelists. Many excellent things, both in the word and providence of God, disciples do not understand at their first acquaintance with the things of God. The right understanding of spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom, prevents our misapplying the Scriptures which speak of it.