Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/652

 while some  cut  down  branches from  the  trees  and  strewed  them along the  road. And a vast  multitude  went  before  and  followed after, crying:  “Hosanna  to  the  Son  of  David! Blessed is  He that  cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  Hosanna  in  the  highest!”

There were  also  in  the  crowd  some  Pharisees,  who,  being filled with  envy  and  hatred,  never  lost  sight  of  Jesus. Seeing the honours that  were  now  paid  to  Him,  they  indignantly  asked: “Hearest Thou what  these  say?”  Jesus  replied:  “If  these  should hold their  peace,  the  stones  will  cry  out.”  The  nearer  He  came to the  city,  the  greater  the  crowd  became,  and  the  more  the enthusiasm of  the  people  increased.

Then was  fulfilled  the  prophecy  of  Zacharias,  that  Jerusalem should be  visited  by  her  king  as  a Saviour; that  He  should  be  poor and riding  on  an  ass  [Zach. 9, 9].

But seeing  Jerusalem,  Jesus  wept  over  it,  saying:  “If  thou also  hadst  known,  and  that  in  this  thy  day,  the  things  that are for  thy  peace,  but  now  they  are  hidden  from  thy  eyes! For the days  shall  come  upon  thee,  and  thy  enemies  shall  cast  a trench