Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 21:8

"And the most part of the multitude spread their garments in the way; and others cut branches from the trees, and spread them in the way." — Matthew 21:8 (ASV)

The people were so numerous that they are described as a very great multitude. Unusual unanimity prevailed among the populace. They all gathered to Jesus. The patriarch Jacob had foretold, concerning the Shiloh, Unto him shall the gathering of the people be. This was fulfilled many times during the Savior’s earthly ministry and it is still continually being fulfilled.

The crowd was in a state of great excitement and came marching along with Jesus in high enthusiasm. Carpeting the road, they spread their garments in the way, and as if this were not enough, others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the way. Our first parents, in their shame, made clothes of the leaves of trees, but now both clothes and leaves are at the feet of man’s Redeemer.

John says that the people took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him. The long feathery fronds of the palms would be suitable either for waving in the air or casting on the ground before the King. The common people, in the simplest but most effective manner, prepared a royal welcome for the Son of David.

What an unusual sight! They were on the tiptoe of expectation, looking for a kingly Deliverer, and they vaguely hoped that Jesus the prophet of Nazareth might prove to be the Promised One. He had excited their wonder, raised their hopes, and earned their reverence. For the time they held Him in high honor. Do we wonder at it when we think how He had healed their sick and had fed them by thousands when they fainted?