Matthew 21:10 Meaning: Why Jerusalem Asked 'Who Is This?'
When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”
And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, Who is this?
And he having entered into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, `Who is this?'
And as he entered into Jerusalem, the whole city was moved, saying, Who is this?
Meaning in one sentence
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked 'Who is this?' Discover the meaning behind their question and what it asks of you today.
Context
Just days before His crucifixion, Jesus entered Jerusalem in a way no one expected. He rode on a young donkey while a crowd of pilgrims spread their cloaks and cut branches, shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David!" The city was packed with visitors for Passover. When the procession reached the gates, the commotion spread. Jerusalem had seen Jesus before; He taught in the temple and healed the sick. But this entry was different. It looked like a king arriving for His coronation. The city was not indifferent. It was shaken, stirred, set in motion. Everyone wanted to know who could inspire such worship.
Key Words
The Greek word behind "was stirred" is eseisthē, from seiō, meaning to shake violently. Matthew uses the same verb for the earthquake at Jesus' death (Matthew 27:51). This is not mild curiosity. Jerusalem trembles like the ground shifting. The question itself, "Who is this?" uses the pronoun houtos, pointing directly at the person. It is a question about identity, not reputation. And "all the city" (pasa hē polis) means everyone, not just a few. The disruption reaches every corner. Matthew wants us to feel the weight of this moment. When Jesus enters a life, it can feel like an earthquake. The question that follows is the most personal one we can ask: who is this man?
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators across traditions note the force of this verse. Calvin writes that God struck the enemies with secret fear so they dared not oppose Jesus' entry. The Cambridge Bible calls the word "convulsed," like an earthquake. Gill highlights how the inhabitants ran in troops to discover the cause. Matthew Henry observes the contrast between the rejoicing pilgrims and the questioning city. All agree that Jerusalem was not indifferent. Some emphasize the fear of the priests; others the wonder of the crowd. But every tradition sees a city shaken awake by the presence of its King. The question "Who is this?" becomes an invitation, one that all Christians have echoed through the centuries.
A common misunderstanding
Some read the question as dismissive, as if Jerusalem shrugged off Jesus. In fact, the word "stirred" describes a violent shaking, like an earthquake. The city was not apathetic; it was rocked with wonder and confusion. The very question shows they were paying attention, not turning away.
Living This Out
This week, you might find yourself asking "Who is this?" about Jesus in a fresh way. Maybe something has shaken your routine. A hard conversation, a surprising blessing, a quiet ache. Instead of pushing the question away, lean into it. Ask Jesus to show you who He is for you right now. The city asked together; you can ask in the quiet of your own heart. Let the stir lead you closer, not keep you at a distance.
Main takeaway: When Jesus enters our lives, His presence stirs us to answer the most important question: who is He?
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When Jesus came into Jerusalem, everyone was asking, "Who is this?" They saw people cheering and spreading coats on the road. Have you ever wondered who Jesus is? You can ask Him to show you.
For ages 9, 12
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. People had heard about Him, but seeing Him ride like a king made them ask, "Who is this?" The crowd that followed answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth." Sometimes we need to ask the same question. Not because we don't know the answer, but because knowing Jesus means letting Him surprise us and draw us closer.
Questions People Ask
Why did the whole city ask 'Who is this?' if they had already seen Jesus?
Jesus had taught and healed in Jerusalem before, but His entry on a donkey with crowds shouting 'Hosanna' was a public claim to be the Messiah. This dramatic, unprecedented event stirred the entire city. Many residents may have known Jesus only by reputation, not personally. Their question reflects astonishment and a desire to understand who could inspire such a scene.
What does 'stirred' mean in the original Greek?
The Greek word is 'eseisthē,' from 'seiō,' meaning to shake violently like an earthquake. Matthew uses the same verb for the earthquake at Jesus' death (Matthew 27:51) and for the shaking of the stars (Revelation 6:13). It describes deep agitation, not mild curiosity. The city was convulsed by the event.
Who answered the question in verse 11?
The multitudes, the same crowd that had shouted 'Hosanna' during the entry, answered: 'This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.' Some commentators note that they said 'prophet' rather than 'Messiah,' possibly because they were surrounded by a questioning city or because they described Him in terms everyone could understand. Either way, they identified Him confidently.
How does Matthew 21:10 connect to the triumphal entry as a whole?
The triumphal entry (verses 1-9) fulfills Zechariah 9:9, showing Jesus as the meek King riding on a donkey. The crowd praises Him as the Son of David. Verse 10 captures the city's reaction: they are stirred and ask who He is. This sets the stage for the cleansing of the temple in verse 12, where Jesus exercises His authority as King.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study