Palm Sunday - The beginning of Holy Week

April 9, 2017

So how does Palm Sunday get its name?

The name Palm Sunday comes from the palm branches that people laid down in Jesus' path as he rode into Jerusalem on the donkey.

Palm branches are a widely recognized symbol of peace and victory, and in Biblical times were often thrown before the feet of a conquering hero in homage. When Jesus arrived in the Holy City, the Gospel writers said the crowds lay palm branches and clothes at his feet to honor him.

It had been predicted in the Old Testament that people would recognize the Messiah when he rode into the city, and they would then lay palms at his feet.