What does "Hosanna" really mean?

In John 12:12-19, crowds wave palm branches and shout "Hosanna!" as Jesus enters Jerusalem. Dr. Toby Holt explains what they were really asking for — and how they misunderstood their King.

"Hosanna" means "save us now." The crowds wanted a king to free them from Rome, but Jesus rides in on a humble donkey, as Zechariah foretold — a King who came first to save His people from sin. Within days many in that crowd would call for His death.

Questions this study answers:

1. What does "Hosanna" mean? It means "save us now." The crowds were crying for rescue — but mostly from Rome, not from their sin.

2. Why did Jesus ride a donkey? To fulfill prophecy and to show what kind of King He is: humble and approachable, not a warlord.

3. Why did the crowd's cheers turn to anger? Because Jesus was not the political deliverer they wanted. When He did not meet their expectations, many turned against Him.

"Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' The King of Israel!" — John 12:13 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.