{That went before him and that followed} (hoi proagontes
auton kai hoi akolouthountes). Note the two groups with two
articles and the present tense (linear action) and the imperfect
ekrazon "were crying" as they went. {Hosanna to the Son of
David} (Hosanna t(9369) hui(9369) Daueid). They were now proclaiming
Jesus as the Messiah and he let them do it. "Hosanna" means
"Save, we pray thee." They repeat words from the _Hallel_ ( Ps
148:1 ) and one recalls the song of the angelic host when Jesus
was born ( Lu 2:14 ). "Hosanna in the highest" (heaven) as well
as here on earth.