Right out of the gate, Mark identifies Jesus as the Son of God (Mark 1:1). A few verses later we see the baptism of Jesus with the voice from heaven identifying Him as “my beloved Son”. Next is the assertion from a demon (Mark 1:24) who identifies Jesus as the “Holy One of God”. In chapter two, Jesus forgives the sins of the man he is healing. This riles up the Pharisees and scribes because only God can forgive sins. We see demon recognition of Christ again in 3:11. While not a direct “Son of God” reference, after Jesus calms the sea in chapter 4, the disciples as ask just who this is that can make the wind and sea obey Him. We see the Geresene demoniac in chapter 5 and the transfiguration in chapter 9 as additional signs.
While not a lot of teaching, there are 20 miracle stories between chapters 1 and 10 including casting out demons, healing two blind men, some nature miracles, and two feedings. (Interesting that the two stories about healing the blind come right after we have seen an instance of willful blindness by the disciples). The point of these stories is to establish Jesus as the Son of God. Another thing that stands out is the obtuseness of the disciples as Jesus appears to get more and more irritated at them as time goes by. As the disciples continue to miss the boat, the Pharisees are seeing something in Jesus that must be stopped as they are feeling threatened.
Since Peter’s confession, there are three predictions of the passion. Not surprisingly, Mark leaves some things out. For example, Matthew and John are right on top of Jesus riding on a donkey as the fulfillment of prophecy. Writing to a Gentile audience, Mark is less concerned about fulfilling prophecies and more focused on Jesus as a rival king. Given their penchant for gladiator battles and the like, it makes sense to portray Jesus as a strong man throwing down the gauntlet. Not merely “a” challenger but “the” challenger to the world’s leaders and status quo.
John 12:9 A large crowd therefore of the Judeans learned that he was there, and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jewish people went away and believed in Jesus. NHEB
John tells us that Jesus goes to Bethany on the Sabbath which is His home base when in the area and it is also the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. On that Saturday night there is a dinner party (earlier in John 12) where Mary anoints Jesus feet. Given what has happened to Lazarus, the people want to see him, which puts his life in danger as well.
From the Orthodox perspective, Lazarus establishes that Jesus is fully man (He weeps at the death of Lazarus) and fully God because He raises Lazarus from the dead. This raising of Lazarus sets the table for everything that is to come as our problem is death (whether physical, spiritual or eternal).
John 12:12 On the next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and were shouting, “Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel.” 14 And Jesus, having found a young donkey, sat on it. As it is written, 15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him. 17 The crowd therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, was testifying about it. 18 For this cause also the crowd went and met him, because they heard that he had done this sign. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Look, the whole world has gone after him.” NHEB
John pulls the curtain back in verses 17 through 19 above to show us what is going on behind the scenes. John wants us to know that Jesus is fully aware of what is going on and who He is. In addition, there is nothing that happens during Holy Week that Jesus doesn’t already know about.
Mark 11:1 When they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethpage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 2 and said to them, “Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has yet sat. Untie him, and bring him. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘Because the Lord needs it,’ and he will send it back here at once.” 4 They went away, and found a colt tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him. 5 Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing, untying the young donkey?” 6 They said to them just as Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it. 8 Many spread their garments on the way, and others spread branches which they had cut from the fields. 9 Those who went in front, and those who followed, shouted, “Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David. Hosanna in the highest.” NHEB
This story is in all four Gospels. Some read the donkey reference as evidence of Jesus’ supernatural authority in knowing that the donkey would be there. On the other hand, He might have arranged for this earlier since He is familiar with the area. Perhaps it is a little of both as He has arranged for the donkey and also knows that is is there waiting on Him. Regardless, Jesus appears to be deliberately staging His triumphal entry into Jerusalem but He flips things around by riding on a donkey rather than a chariot or a great steed.
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. NASB
Jesus is coming to be king but it is disputed as on the worldly side we have Caesar and his local representative, Pilate. (Later, Pilate will ask Jesus if He is a king). This is reminiscent of Solomon and the dispute that arose when David was dying and another son of David attempted to take the throne (1Kings ) and also of the two milk cows who had never been harnessed before that pulled the ark back to Jerusalem (1Samuel 6:7). This entry to Jerusalem by Jesus is a messianic gesture to show Israel that He is the King of Israel.
Hosanna is an appeal for salvation. This language would have been used whether or not Jesus was there as the Jews always sing Psalm 118 when entering Jerusalem for a festival. On the Sunday before Passover (Palm Sunday), every Jew was headed to Jerusalem because that is the day they purchased their Passover lambs. These lambs had to be unblemished and had to go home with you before later returning them to be sacrificed at the Temple. So all of these folks were headed to get their lambs and then along comes Jesus and His group to join in.
The lambs themselves are raised in Bethlehem. When Jesus is born, the first people to be told are the shepherds tending their flocks of future sacrificial lambs. The palm branches and singing (initially, at least) are related to Passover rather than just showing up spontaneously because Jesus is there. It is in the midst of all of this that Jesus is going to show, to those that have eyes, who He is (and today is the day). Even today, a palm branch is a sign of pilgrimage.
There is this notion that the crowd was focused on Jesus only to turn on Him a few days later but the crowd is likely mixed in its feelings toward Him. Nevertheless, Jesus chooses this moment to make His point. In John’s chronology, Jesus comes in to Jerusalem when the sheep are coming and is on the cross when these Passover lambs have been brought to the Temple to be sacrificed. John wants us to see Jesus as the Passover lamb.
1Corinthians 5:7 Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. BSB