{Took} (elabon). Second aorist active indicative of
lamban(935c). {The branches of the palm-trees} (	a baia t(936e)
phoinik(936e)). Phoinix is an old word for palm-tree ( Re 7:9  for
the branches) and in  Ac 27:12  the name of a city. Baion is
apparently a word of Egyptian origin, palm branches, here only in
N.T., but in the papyri and I Macc. 13:51. Here we have "the palm
branches of the palm-trees." The use in 1 Macc. 13:51 (cf. II
Macc. 10:7) is in the account of Simon's triumphal entry into
Jerusalem. Bernard notes that to carry palms was a mark of
triumphant homage to a victor or a king ( Re 7:9 ). Palm-trees
grew on the Mount of Olives ( Mr 11:8 ) on the road from Bethany
to Jerusalem. The crowds (one in front and one behind,  Mr 11:9  Mt 21:9  Joh 2:18 ) cut the branches as they came ( Mt 21:8 ).
{To meet him} (eis hupant(8873)in aut(9369)). Literally, {for a
meeting} (hupant(8873)is, late word from the verb hupanta(935c),  Mt
8:28  Joh 11:20,30  12:18 , in the papyri, but only here in the
N.T.) with him" (aut(9369), associative instrumental case after
hupant(8873)in as after the verb in verse  18 ). It was a scene of
growing excitement. {And cried out} (kai ekraugazon). Imperfect
active of kraugaz(935c), old and rare verb (from kraug(885c)) as in  Mt
12:19  Joh 19:15 . {Hosannah} (H(9373)annah). Transliteration of
the Hebrew word meaning "Save now." The LXX renders it by S(9373)on
d(885c) (Save now). {Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the
Lord} (eulog(886d)enos ho erchomenos en onomati kuriou). Perfect
passive participle of euloge(935c). Quotation from  Ps 118:25f. ,
written, some think, for the dedication of the second temple, or,
as others think, for the feast of tabernacles after the return
( Ezr 3:1f. ). It was sung in the processional recitation then as
a welcome to the worshippers. Here the words are addressed to the
Messiah as is made plain by the addition of the words, "even the
king of Israel" (kai ho basileus tou Isra(886c)) as Nathanael
called him ( 1:49 ). Jesus is here hailed by the multitudes as
the long-looked for Messiah of Jewish hope and he allows them so
to greet him ( Lu 19:38-40 ), a thing that he prevented a year
before in Galilee ( Joh 6:14f. ). It is probable that "in the
name of the Lord" should be taken with "blessed" as in  De 21:5  2Sa 6:18  1Ki 22:16  2Ki 2:24 . The Messiah was recognized by
Martha as the Coming One ( Joh 11:27 ) and is so described by the
Baptist ( Mt 11:3 ). Mark ( Mr 11:10 ) adds "the kingdom that
cometh" while Luke ( 19:38 ) has "the king that cometh." "It was
this public acclamation of Jesus as King of Israel or King of the
Jews which was the foundation of the charge made against him
before Pilate ( 18:33 )" (Bernard).