09/04/2022
What Is Palm Sunday?
On Palm Sunday, Christian churches often give the congregation palm branches to re-create the celebration of Christ’s final arrival in Jerusalem because his followers used palm branches to honor him as King and Messiah.
When Is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday is the last Sunday in Lent and the Sunday before Easter. It’s the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week of the year for Christians. The date changes every year because the date of Easter changes in relation to the Jewish holiday of Passover.
2022: April 10
2023: April 2
2024: March 24
2025: April 13
The Story and Meaning of Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem for the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Jesus rode a young donkey into the Jerusalem and was greeted by a large crowd with palm branches and people shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” and other expressions of praise (Matthew 21:9). The people put their coats and palm branches on the ground as Jesus passed by.
Descriptions of this event in Jesus’ life can be found in Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, Matthew 21:1-11, and John 12:1-17. Some Bibles title the passage “The Triumphal Entry” or “Jesus comes to Jerusalem as king.” These passages provide insight and background into the significance of this celebration for Christians. Each Gospel account provides a different perspective on Jesus’ life and ministry the way four friends might focus on different things to describe the same activity.