Today, we remember and celebrate what has come to be known as “The Triumphal Entry,” Jesus’s highly symbolic entrance into Jerusalem just days before he was betrayed and executed. We know the broad outlines of the story. Jesus rode into Jerusalem amid the cheers of a welcoming crowd. Five days later, hostile crowds shouted for his execution. Those fickle people turned against Jesus and had him crucified.

That is not the entire story. In fact, it is not even the same story (though it bears a resemblance to it). For us to understand what is going on as Jesus rides into Jerusalem, it is helpful to realize who the different groups are that were involved and how they looked at what was happening…