35 Palm Sunday Scripture Verses to Read as Holy Week Begins
Holy Week is almost here. It’s time to prepare your heart and soul for the journey ahead. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of this sacred week, and there’s no better way to start than by reading powerful scripture verses that tell the story of Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.
This year, take time to pause. Read these Bible verses. Let them speak to your heart. These Palm Sunday scripture verses will help you understand the significance of this Christian holiday and deepen your faith in Christ. If you are interested to read more Bible quotes then must visit our page.
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Celebrate Palm Sunday with These Powerful Scripture Verses
Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, is a special day in the Christian calendar. It’s the day we remember when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while crowds waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna!”This event marked the beginning of Holy Week—the final week of Lent that leads up to Easter.
During this week, Christians remember the Last Supper, Jesus’s arrest, His death by crucifixion, and His glorious resurrection.Before you start planning your Easter celebrations, egg hunts, and family gatherings, you need to understand what Palm Sunday is all about. This day gives us a chance to reflect on our faith. It reminds us why we believe. It shows us how much God loves us.
Understanding Palm Sunday: The Beginning of Holy Week
Palm Sunday is the Sunday worship day that begins Holy Week. It happens one week before Easter Sunday. This year, Palm Sunday falls on April 13.On this day, Christians remember when Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. He came as the Messiah, the promised Savior and Redeemer. But He didn’t come on a war horse like other kings. He came humbly, riding on a young donkey.
The crowds recognized Him. They spread their cloaks on the road. They cut palm branches from the trees and waved them in the air. They shouted praises to God. This was the triumphal entry—a moment of celebration and worship.
35 Inspiring Palm Sunday Scripture Verses for Holy Week
These Palm Sunday scripture verses are organized to help you understand the story and reflect on its meaning. Each verse speaks truth. Each one matters. Read them slowly. Let them sink deep into your heart.
Scripture Verses About Jesus’s Entry into Jerusalem
1. Matthew 21:1-5
“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.’ This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to Daughter Zion, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, riding on the colt of a donkey.”‘”
This verse shows us that Jesus planned His entry into Jerusalem carefully. Every detail mattered. He fulfilled Old Testament prophecy perfectly. The prophet Zechariah had written about this moment hundreds of years earlier. Jesus came as the promised King, but He came with gentleness and humility.
2. Mark 11:1-3
“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you doing this?” say, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.”‘”
Jesus knew exactly what would happen. He sent Jesus’s disciples ahead with specific instructions. This wasn’t random. This was divine appointment. Even the detail about the colt that had never been ridden shows us something special—Jesus deserved something pure and unused for this holy moment.
3. Luke 19:28-30
“After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.'”
Luke tells us that Jesus went “on ahead”—He led the way. He wasn’t running from what was coming. He walked straight toward Jerusalem, knowing what awaited Him there. This shows His courage and determination to complete His mission.
4. John 12:12-13
“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the King of Israel!'”
This is where we see the palm branches! The crowd recognized Jesus as their King. They shouted “Hosanna,” which means “save now” or “save, please.” They were asking Jesus to save them. They believed He was the Messiah sent from God.
5. Zechariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
This Old Testament prophecy was written about 500 years before Jesus was born. It predicted exactly how the Messiah would enter Jerusalem. When Jesus rode in on that donkey, He was showing everyone that the prophecies were coming true. He was the promised righteous King.
6. Matthew 21:8-9
“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!'”
The people treated Jesus like royalty. Spreading cloaks on the road was an ancient way to honor a king. They called him “Son of David”—recognizing Him as the heir to King David’s throne. This was a moment of praise and worship like Jerusalem had never seen.
7. Luke 19:37-38
“When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!'”
The disciples couldn’t contain their joy! They had seen Jesus heal the sick, raise the dead, and perform countless miracles. Now they praised God loudly for everything they had witnessed. This was a moment of pure, unfiltered Christian devotion.
8. Mark 11:9-10
“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!'”
The crowd surrounded Jesus—people ahead and people behind. They all recognized that the Kingdom of God was coming through Him. They were witnessing prophecies fulfilled right before their eyes.
Bible Verses About Praise and Worship on Palm Sunday
9. Psalm 118:25-26
“Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.”
This psalm was sung during Jewish festivals. The crowd would have known these words by heart. When they shouted them to Jesus, they were recognizing Him as the one sent from the house of the Lord. They were calling Him their Savior.
10. Psalm 118:24
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
This verse is perfect for Palm Sunday. God made this special day. He planned it from the beginning of time. We should rejoice! We should be glad! Jesus came to save us, and that’s worth celebrating.
11. Luke 19:39-40
“Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'”
Some religious leaders wanted the crowd to stop praising Jesus. But Jesus said something amazing—if people stopped worshiping Him, even the stones would start! Nothing could silence the truth of who he is. This shows us that praise God is the natural response to seeing Jesus.
12. Psalm 24:7-10
“Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory.”
This psalm asks, “Who is the King of glory?” The answer is clear: the Lord! When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He came as the King of glory. He came to win the greatest battle ever fought—the battle against sin and death.
13. Psalm 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
We should approach God with thanksgiving and praise and worship. Palm Sunday is a day to thank God for sending Jesus. It’s a day to praise His name. It’s a day to remember that God’s love is greater than we can imagine.
14. Isaiah 56:7
“These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
Jesus called the temple a “house of prayer for all nations.” This verse from Isaiah shows that God’s salvation isn’t just for one group of people. It’s for everyone. Jesus came to save people from every nation, every background, every situation.
Scripture Verses About Jesus’s Purpose and Mission
15. John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
This might be the most famous verse in the Bible. It tells us exactly why Jesus came. God loved us so much that he sent his Son. Jesus didn’t come to condemn us. He came to save us. That’s his mission. That’s his purpose.
16. John 12:27-28
“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.'”
Jesus knew what was coming. His soul was troubled. But he didn’t run away. He came specifically for this moment—to die for our sins. Even in his struggle, He chose to glorify God’s name. This shows incredible courage and love.
17. Philippians 2:8
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Jesus humbled Himself. He could have come as a conquering warrior. Instead, He came as a humble servant. He was obedient to God’s plan, even though it meant dying on a cross. This is the heart of the gospel—Jesus gave up everything for us.
18. Matthew 20:18-19
“We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”
Jesus told His disciples exactly what would happen. He would be betrayed. He would be condemned. He would be crucified. But the story wouldn’t end there! On the third day, He would rise again. Jesus knew the plan from start to finish.
19. Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus came to serve, not to be served. He came to give his life as a ransom. What does it mean that Jesus gave his life as a ransom? It means He paid the price to free us from sin and death, purchasing our salvation with his own blood.This means he paid the price for our sins. He bought our freedom. He rescued us from death. This is what a Savior does.
20. Luke 19:41-44
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.
They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.'”
Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He knew many people would reject Him. He knew the city would face destruction because they didn’t recognize who He was. This shows us Jesus’s heart—He loves us so much that He weeps when we turn away from Him.
21. John 12:23-24
“Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.'”
Jesus used a simple farming example to explain his death. A seed must die and be buried before it can produce a harvest. Jesus had to die so that many people could receive salvation. His death would produce spiritual life for millions.
Palm Sunday Verses About Faith and Salvation
22. Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Salvation doesn’t come from being good enough. It comes from the grace of God. It’s a gift! We receive it through faith in Christ. We don’t earn it. We simply believe and receive. This is the heart of Christian devotion—trusting in God’s grace.
23. John 14:6
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
Jesus made it clear—He is the only way to God. He is the truth that sets us free. He is the life we’ve been searching for. There’s no other path to the Father. Jesus is the door. He is the way.
24. John 11:25-26
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'”
What does Jesus mean by “I am the resurrection and the life”? He means that He has power over death and offers eternal life to everyone who believes in Him.Jesus has power over death. He offers resurrection life to everyone who believes. Physical death isn’t the end for believers. We will live forever with God because of Jesus. This is an incredible promise!
25. Romans 10:9
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Salvation is simple. Believe in your heart. Confess with your mouth. Jesus is Lord. God raised Him from the dead. That’s the gospel message. That’s how we receive eternal life.
26. 1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.”
Why do we love God? Because He loved us first! Jesus showed His love by coming to earth. He showed His love by dying for us. Our love is simply a response to His incredible love for us.
27. 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
When you believe in Jesus, you become a new person. The old life is gone. Everything becomes new. This is the power of the gospel—it transforms us completely. We’re not just improved; we’re made completely new.
28. Mark 10:27
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'”
Nothing is impossible with God. Salvation seems impossible when we look at our own efforts. But with God, all things are possible. He can save anyone. He can change any heart. He can heal any wound.
Bible Verses for Reflection and Hope During Holy Week
29. Psalm 5:11
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
When we take refuge in God, we find joy. Even during Holy Week, when we remember difficult things, we can rejoice. Why? Because God protects us. He loves us. He saves us.
30. Psalm 31:24
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
This verse encourages us to be strong. Holy Week reminds us of suffering and sacrifice. But we have hope! Our hope is in the Lord. He gives us strength. He gives us courage to face whatever comes.
31. Psalm 35:9
“Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.”
Our souls can rejoice! Even when life is hard, we can delight in God’s salvation. He has saved us from sin and death. That’s reason enough to be joyful every single day.
32. Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
We don’t have to be strong on our own. We can be strong in the Lord. His mighty power works in us. This is especially important during Holy Week when we’re reminded of the spiritual battle Jesus won for us.
33. Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Keep doing good. Don’t give up. Don’t get tired. God sees everything you do. At the right time, you’ll see the results. Your Christian devotion and faithful service matter to God.
34. Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Forgiveness is central to the Palm Sunday message. Jesus came to forgive our sins. Now He calls us to forgive others. This can be hard, but it’s essential. We forgive because Jesus first forgave us.
35. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
This verse connects Palm Sunday to Easter. Yes, Jesus died. But He didn’t stay dead! He rose again. And because He lives, we will live too. This is our ultimate hope—resurrection and eternal life.
Conclusion
Palm Sunday is more than a historical event. It’s a reminder of God’s incredible love for you. It’s the beginning of a week that changed everything.These 35 scripture verses tell the complete story. They show us Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. They reveal His purpose and mission. They teach us about salvation and grace. And they point us toward the resurrection hope of Easter.
As you read these Bible verses this week, let them sink deep into your heart. Don’t rush through them. Take time to think about each one. Ask God to show you what He wants you to learn.Remember, Palm Sunday is just the beginning. The story continues through the week.
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Share these verses with friends and family. Read them at your dinner table. Post them on social media. Let others know about the righteous King who came to save us all.And when Easter Sunday finally arrives, you’ll be ready. Your heart will be prepared. You’ll understand the full story. And you’ll celebrate with deeper joy than ever before. If you are curious to reading Bible Verses About Spiritual Growth then must visit our page.
