The Reason for the Palms

One Palm Sunday not too long ago, a curious little boy asked his Sunday School teacher a question that stumped her.

On that warm Sunday morning, all the children were gathered in the narthex, preparing to enter the sanctuary and lay palm branches at the foot of the altar. As they lined up, the boy turned to his teacher and asked, “Why did they use palms?”

Caught off guard, the teacher responded with a question of her own: “Why do you think?” The boy pondered this, but before he could answer another boy chimed in, “Maybe it was really hot, and they knew that waving the branches would cool Jesus off.”

The teacher explained that they were a symbol of the ones laid before Jesus during His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week. The first boy persisted, “No, why palm branches and not something else?” The teacher had no clear answer.

What Do the Gospels Say?

All four of the Gospels recount Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, but only the Gospel of John specifically mentions palm branches. Here’s how each Gospel describes the scene:

[They] took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (John 12:13 NKJV)

And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road (Matthew 21:8 NKJV).

And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road (Mark 11:8 NKJV).

And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road (Luke 19:36 NKJV).

John is the only Gospel that states palm branches were used. Matthew and Mark mention branches but do not specify the type, while Luke acknowledges only clothes. This suggests that they played a key role but other types of branches may have been used as well.

Why Palm Branches and Not Something Else?

There are three primary reasons why palm branches were significant:

1. They were abundant in Jerusalem. Date palms were common in the region, making them the most accessible choice for a public demonstration. Had Jesus entered another city, different branches would have likely been used.
2. They symbolized victory and triumph. In both Jewish and Roman traditions, palm branches represented victory, peace, and celebration. When Roman generals returned victorious from battle, they were often greeted with palm branches as a sign of triumph. The people of Jerusalem may have seen Jesus as a victorious King.
3. They were used in Jewish festivals. Palm branches were a part of Jewish tradition, especially during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days” (Leviticus 23:40 NKJV).

This tradition made them a natural symbol of rejoicing and welcoming the Messiah.

The Heavenly Symbolism of Palm Branches

The Bible also connects palm branches to eternal victory. In Revelation, a large group stands before God holding palm branches:

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10 NKJV).

This powerful imagery reinforces that palm branches symbolize spiritual victory over sin and death, making them a fitting emblem for Jesus’ journey to the cross and resurrection.

Palms Branches in Today’s Church

Over the centuries, palm branches have remained central to Palm Sunday traditions. Many churches distribute them for their members to wave, weave them into crosses, or keep them as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.

As for the little boy who asked why we use palm branches, hopefully, he found his answer. For everyone else, I hope this article does the job.