Matthew’s Gospel commences with a genealogy of Jesus, “the son of David, the son of Abraham” (1:1). Jesus is introduced as heir of God’s promises to Abraham and of the royal heritage of David. The ...

he wanted to show that Jesus was the son of David, and now traces this back to Abraham. For Matthew, Jesus is not the son of David, but he is the son of Abraham. He is truly a man from Israel.

The crowds throw palm branches and put blankets on the road before Jesus. This shows their belief in him as the Messiah. They sing out in praise and celebration, “Hosanna to the Son of David!

The Jewish people wanted to return to the glory days under their greatest ruler, King David. Some Jews were looking for a warrior Messiah to overthrow the Romans. Jesus was not this kind of Messiah.