What does “Hosanna” really mean?
In John 12:12-19, crowds wave palm branches and shout “Hosanna!” as Jesus enters Jerusalem. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains what they were really asking for — and how they misunderstood their King. “Hosanna” means “save us now.” The crowds wanted a king to free them from Rome, so they greeted Jesus like a conquering hero. But Jesus rides in on a humble donkey, exactly as the prophet Zechariah had foretold — a different kind of King, who came first to save His people from sin, not from Rome. Dr. Holt notes that within days many in that same crowd would call for His death. Jesus comes lowly now; one day He will return as the conquering King of Kings.
Questions this study answers:
1. What does “Hosanna” mean? It means “save us now.” The crowds were crying out for rescue — but mostly from Rome, not from their sin.
2. Why did Jesus ride a donkey? To fulfill prophecy and to show what kind of King He is: humble and approachable, not a warlord.
3. Why did the crowd’s cheers turn to anger? Because Jesus was not the political deliverer they wanted. When He did not meet their expectations, many turned against Him. “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!” — John 12:13 (NKJV)
Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the John Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.
