Matthew 21:1-17

1Jesus and his 12 disciples were coming near to Jerusalem. They came to the village called Bethphage. They were on the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus sent two of his disciples to go further.

2He said to them, ‘Go into the village that is in front of you. When you arrive there, you will immediately see a donkey tied there with her young donkey. Undo the ropes and bring both the donkeys here to me.

3Someone may ask you, “What are you doing?” Then say, “The Master needs them. He will send them back to you soon.” ’

4A prophet had spoken a message from God about this long ago. Now it became true.

5‘Say to the people in Jerusalem, “Look, your king is coming to you. He does not come like someone who thinks that he is important. He is riding on a donkey. Yes, he is riding on a young donkey.” ’

6So the two disciples went to the village. They did everything that Jesus had told them to do.

7They brought the donkey and the young donkey to Jesus. They put their coats on the backs of the donkeys. Then Jesus got up and sat on one of them.

8Many people in the crowd put their coats down on the road. Other people cut branches down from trees. They put these branches down on the road.

9Many crowds of people went in front of Jesus and other people followed him. All of them were shouting, ‘We praise the Son of David! May the Lord God bless the king who comes with his authority! We praise God in heaven above!’

10When Jesus went into Jerusalem, everybody in the city had trouble in their minds. They were asking each other, ‘Who is this man?’

11The people in the crowd replied, ‘This is God's prophet, Jesus. He comes from Nazareth in Galilee.’

12Jesus then went into the yard of the temple. People were buying and selling things there. Jesus made them all leave that place. He pushed over the tables of the men who changed coins. He also pushed over the seats of the men who sold birds.

13Jesus spoke to them all. He said, ‘The Bible says, “God's house will be a place where people come together to pray.” But you have changed it into a place where robbers meet.’

14Blind people went to meet Jesus in the yard of the temple. People who could not walk very well also went there. Jesus caused them all to become well.

15The leaders of the priests and teachers of God's Law saw all the powerful things that Jesus did. They also saw children in the yard of the temple who were shouting, ‘Welcome! We pray that God will be good to you, Son of David!’ All these things caused the important Jews to become very angry.

16They asked Jesus, ‘Can you hear what these children are saying?’ Jesus replied, ‘Yes, I can hear them. I am sure that you have read this in the Bible: “Lord God, babies and children praise you. You yourself have taught them to do that.” ’

17Then Jesus left everyone and he went out of Jerusalem. He stayed that night in Bethany, a village near the city.