Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a young donkey, publicly identifying as the Messiah from Zechariah 9:9. The crowd, which has witnessed his miracles and now witnesses his symbolic entry, is divided in its response. The disciples praise God with loud voices and welcome the “king who comes in the name of the Lord,” but the Pharisees look on in disapproval. Jesus affirms the disciples’ praise and tells the Pharisees that if they were silent, rocks would cry out in their place. Just as then, Jesus is king and our only appropriate response—as individuals and as a church—is praise.