The phrase “hosanna in the highest” appears in the New Testament gospels during the account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem before his crucifixion. It is found in Matthew 21:9, Mark 11:10, and John 12:13.
The word “hosanna” comes from Hebrew and means “save now” or “save, we pray.” It was originally used as an appeal or shout for deliverance. Over time it became associated with Messianic praise and hope. When Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, the crowds welcomed him by shouting “Hosanna!” and covering his path with their cloaks and palm branches (John 12:13).
By adding the phrase “in the highest,” the crowd was probably invoking heaven and asking for God’s help from on high. Together, “hosanna in the highest!” became an exultant shout of praise, glory, and victory. The people welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem recognized him as the long-awaited Messiah and King. Their cry reflected Messianic expectation and the joyful hope that Jesus was ushering in the kingdom of God.
Some key insights about the meaning of “hosanna in the highest”:
- It was a shout of celebration and praise to welcome the coming Messiah.
- It expressed excitement and hope that God’s promised deliverer had finally arrived.
- It recognized Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah and his authority as the true King of Israel.
- By invoking heaven, it called on God to save his people through Jesus.
- It hinted at Jesus’ identity as the Son of God who came down from heaven.
- It suggested Jesus would bring victory, redemption, and the fulfillment of God’s kingdom.
Later in Holy Week, “hosanna” took on greater meaning after Jesus’ death and resurrection. His triumph was made complete by the cross and the empty tomb. Christ had come to bring eternal salvation to all who would believe in him. The cry of “hosanna” became the joyful praise of those who found new life in their risen Lord.
Though Jesus was crucified shortly after his “triumphal entry,” his resurrection confirmed he was indeed the promised Messiah and holy Son of God. The crowds’ shouts of “hosanna” became prophetic glimpses of the praise Jesus would receive for all eternity as the Savior and King. Today, “hosanna in the highest” is still used in worship services to express awe at Christ’s glory, gratitude for his salvation, and hope in his eternal kingdom.
1. Old Testament Background
The word “hosanna” has its origins in several verses from the Old Testament. Two key passages shed light on its background and meaning:
Psalm 118:25 – O Lord, save us (hosanna); O Lord, grant us success.
2 Kings 6:26 – As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, “Help me, my lord the king!” (Hoshi’ah na in Hebrew)
From these verses we see “hosanna” was originally a desperate cry for help and deliverance addressed to someone in authority. The Psalm 118 example shows it being directed to God. Over time, this shout for salvation became associated with the coming Messiah who would usher in God’s kingdom.
2. Use in Jesus’ Triumphal Entry
All four gospels record Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and being met by crowds welcoming him as king by shouting “hosanna.” Here are some key details:
Matthew 21:9 – The crowds shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Mark 11:9-10 – Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Luke 19:37-38 – The whole crowd began joyfully praising God saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
John 12:12-13 – They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”
We see the crowds equated Jesus with the promised Messiah (“Son of David”) and looked to him as the king of Israel. Their “hosannas” welcomed and praised him in hopes he would bring redemption and restore their nation.
3. Meaning of “In the Highest”
Adding the phrase “in the highest” to hosanna invoked heaven and elevated the praise. Here are some ways it extended the meaning:
- It called on God in heaven to save them through Jesus the Messiah.
- It magnified and exalted Jesus as the holy Son of God.
- It suggested Jesus came down from the highest heaven to save people.
- It reflected hope that Jesus would be exalted over all through his impending death and resurrection.
- It looked ahead to Jesus being lifted up to the highest place in heaven after completing his mission.
Together, “Hosanna in the highest!” recognizes Jesus as the Savior sent from heaven and calls on God to fulfill his kingdom through Christ.
4. Prophetic Messianic Praise
The triumphal entry crowd’s praise echoed prophetic messianic passages that also use “hosanna”:
Psalm 118:25-26 – LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
Psalm 148:1 – Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Their shouts of “hosanna” suggest they saw Jesus as the one fulfilling these prophecies. He was the long-awaited Davidic King who came to redeem Israel in God’s name. By invoking the highest heaven, they proclaimed his identity as the Son of God.
5. After Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
After Jesus rose from the dead, “hosanna” took on new meaning for his followers. It became praise celebrating his ultimate triumph over sin and death. Revelation 7:9-12 gives a heavenly glimpse of post-resurrection worship:
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne…saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
This fulfills the crowds’ messianic hopes beyond their wildest dreams. The exalted Lamb of God receives eternal “hosannas” in the highest heaven. Palm branches symbolize his triumphal victory. Salvation and endless praise are His.
6. Modern Worship Usage
“Hosanna in the highest” continues to be used in worship services and hymns today. Examples include:
- Hosanna (Praise is rising)
- Hosanna (See the conqu’ror mounts in triumph)
- Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (Jeanette Threlfall)
- Sing Hosanna (Andrew Peterson)
It expresses reverent awe at Christ’s glory. It voices gratitude for his gift of salvation. It celebrates his eternal reign. It evokes the coming kingdom of God. The phrase retains the spirit of hopeful praise in the gospels while updated for Christian worship.
7. Deeper Theological Meaning
Beyond its literal interpretation, “hosanna in the highest” has profound theological implications:
- It recognizes Jesus as the divine Son fulfilling the Father’s redeeming plan.
- It sees Jesus as the Word made flesh – sent from heaven to rescue fallen humanity.
- It connects Christ’s humility and suffering with his glorification and exaltation.
- It signals the defeat of Satan and the powers of evil through the cross.
- It celebrates Jesus’ authority to forgive sins and offer eternal life.
This cry of praise transcends time and place. It will continue whenever and wherever Jesus’ liberating love is experienced. The heavenly echoes of “hosanna” will never cease.
8. Controversy and Opposition
Despite the crowd’s joy, the gospels hint that Jesus’ triumphal entry also met opposition:
- Pharisees protested Jesus receiving this praise (Luke 19:39).
- Jerusalem was confused by the commotion (Matthew 21:10).
- Chief priests and scribes feared losing their position (John 12:19).
- Jesus wept over the city’s impending judgment for rejecting him (Luke 19:41).
This foreshadows the growing tension between Jesus and the religious authorities. Though welcomed as Messiah by the crowds, his radical kingdom threatened the establishment. Darkness would try to extinguish the light. But the cry of “hosanna” ultimately prevails through resurrection victory.
9. Connection to the Lord’s Supper
Interestingly, Jesus’ triumphal entry is followed immediately by his last supper with disciples in the Synoptic Gospels. Mark 11:11 notes this sequence:
And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. On the following day…he came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple (Mark 11:11-15).
The palm branch hosannas transition seamlessly into the Last Supper accounts. This draws a thematic link between the crowds’ Messianic praise and Jesus’ sacrificial death. The bread and wine become ongoing symbols of triumph through apparent defeat. They represent Christ’s death securing eternal “hosannas.”
This connection is made explicit in the Sanctus prayer before communion: “Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest!” (Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9).
10. Summary of Key Points
In summary, here are the key things to understand about “hosanna in the highest”:
- Originally an urgent plea for deliverance later associated with the Messiah’s coming.
- Shouted in praise as Jesus entered Jerusalem, recognizing him as the long-awaited king.
- Added “in the highest” to invoke heaven and exalt Jesus as God’s Son.
- Fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s arrival.
- Took on deeper meaning after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.
- Continues in Christian worship as an expression of praise to the risen Christ.
- Has significant theological implications for Christ’s identity and saving mission.
- Foreshadowed opposition Jesus would face from religious authorities.
- Connected to Last Supper accounts and Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
The cry of “hosanna” begins and ends with Jesus. It is the sound of salvation. Though his path led to suffering and death, resurrection hope was born. Through Christ alone, God’s kingdom comes and eternal hosannas ring out.
