John Calvin Commentary Matthew 21:10

"And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, Who is this?" — Matthew 21:10 (ASV)

When he entered into Jerusalem. Matthew says that the city was moved, to inform us that this event did not happen secretly or by stealth, but in the presence of all the people, and that the priests and scribes were aware of it.

Under this contemptible appearance of the flesh, the majesty of the Spirit was evident. For how would they have endured that Christ should be conducted into the city, attended by royal splendor, with such great danger to themselves, if they had not been seized with astonishment?

The main point, therefore, is that Christ’s entrance was not made in a private manner, and that his enemies refrained from opposing it. This was not because they treated him with contempt, but rather because they were restrained by a secret fear, for God had struck them with such alarm that they dared not make any attempt.

At the same time, the Evangelist alludes to the careless indifference of the city and commends the piety of those who had just arrived. For when the inhabitants, on hearing the noise, ask, Who is this? it is clear that they do not belong to the number of Christ’s followers.