Many churches celebrate Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter (March 31). Palm Sunday is the first day of the Holy Week and celebrates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem for Passover. Maybe your church has children waving palm branches to help them connect to the story. But while this is a triumphal entry, it is Jesus’ first step toward His death.
When Is Palm Sunday in 2024?
Palm Sunday will be on March 24th, 2024.
This year Palm Sunday will fall on March 24, with Easter a week later on March 31. Palm Sunday is a moveable Christian holiday based upon the date of Easter - the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21 - the spring vernal equinox.
Matthew 21:4 tells us: “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" *The prophecy is cited from Zechariah 9:9 and Isaiah 62:11.
Jesus had become somewhat of a celebrity among people who had heard of the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead, and they wanted to see Him and treat Him like a king. His arrival into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was a glorious celebration. But Jesus wasn’t arriving to be their king on account of Lazarus; the story of Lazarus would have had the religious leaders in even more uproar and determined to end His life, which He knew...Jesus’ glory would be greater than that of a local king.
Palm Sunday 2024 is the start of the Holy Week, which contains:
- Palm Sunday, March 24
- Maundy Thursday, March 28
- Good Friday, March 29
- Holy Saturday, March 30
- Easter Sunday, March 31
What Is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that begins the Holy Week. It is the day that we remember and celebrate the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as Savior and King. As Jesus rode a donkey into the town of Jerusalem a large crowd gathered and laid palm branches and their cloaks across the road, giving Jesus royal treatment. The hundreds of people shouted ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ -Excerpted from 5 Things about Palm Sunday that Remind Us Christ is King
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5 Quick Things to Know about Palm Sunday
- Everything about the scene is important (John 12:12-19, Mark 1:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44)
- Jesus fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah in Zechariah 9
- There is a meaning behind the lowly donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem
- Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ humble and triumphant journey toward His sacrifice and the cross
- The people hailed Jesus as King and called out Hosanna, which means ‘save us.'
Why Was Jesus' Triumphal Entry on a Donkey?
“In the ancient Middle Eastern world, leaders rode horses if they rode to war, but donkeys if they came in peace. First Kings 1:33 mentions Solomon riding a donkey on the day he was recognized as the new king of Israel. Other instances of leaders riding donkeys are Judges 5:10; 10:4; 12:14; and 2 Samuel 16:2. The mention of a donkey in Zechariah 9:9-10 fits the description of a king who would be “righteous and having salvation, gentle.” Rather than riding to conquer, this king would enter in peace. Isaac, a type of Christ, rides a donkey to be slain by his father Abraham on the altar ( Genesis 49:10-12).”
-Excerpted from 8 Things Most Christians Don’t Understand about Jesus’ Triumphal Entry by Dr. Roger Barrier. Read more at the link.
Why Do Christians Celebrate Palm Sunday?
Hindsight is always 20/20. Yet while we are in a particular situation, we tend to make things out to be what they aren’t and infer wrong meanings. We kick ourselves, thinking If only I had known then what I know now! Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem must have been one of those moments for His disciples. It had appeared to be such a wonderful day for them—and it was, but for different reasons than they realized. They thought the Messiah had come to reestablish Israel’s power in the world. But God had something else in mind.
The disciples weren’t the only ones who had misconceptions about the Messiah. Many Jews of the day expected Him to be an earthly king. When the crowds heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they cheered, “Hosanna! ” which means, “Save now!” They saw Him as their new King, come to bring salvation from political and societal oppression. He raised the dead—no doubt he could also restore the kingdom of David and free them from Roman rule. Seated upon a donkey, Jesus resembled a ruler returning to his city in peacetime, loyal subjects lining his path with coats and palm fronds. Even the Pharisees were there watching in indignation, saying, “Look, the world has gone after Him” ( John 12:19).
This week, think back to those times when circumstances looked one way but turned out to be something else entirely. Remember when you realized God was different than you imagined and His will unfolded in surprising ways. Look for an opportunity to share your insight with a friend or loved one. (excerpted from our InTouch devotional) *Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. © 2016 All Rights Reserved.
A Short Prayer for Palm Sunday
Lord God, I give you thanks, for you are good, and your mercy is endless. Here I stand, at the start of this holy week, This week in which your church remembers Jesus’ passion and death, And I am distracted by many things. Turn my eyes now to the One who comes in your name The one who opens the gates of righteousness The one who answers when we call. I bless you, Lord, for shining your light upon me, And for sending your son to us, in human frailty. To walk the road we walk. Open my eyes that I may see him coming, And may praise him with a pure heart. And may walk in the way of his suffering, And share also in his resurrection.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
-Excerpted from 8 Prayers to Pray Each Week of Holy Week by Maria Miriam
Future Palm Sunday Dates
- April 13, 2025
- March 29, 2026
- March 21, 2027
- April 9, 2028
- March 25, 2029
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/SidneydeAlmeida
This article is part of our larger Holy Week and Easter resource library centered around the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through his son Jesus Christ!
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When is Lent? When Does Lent Start and End?
What is Ash Wednesday?
What Is Palm Sunday?
What is Maundy Thursday?
What Is Good Friday?