We’re told this large crowd “had come to the feast”I take that to mean they were not locals, but most likely from the Galilee region where they had followed Jesus' ministry- being visitors to Jerusalem, they “camped” on the mountains around the city• and especially the Mount of Olives,◦ staying in tents, a lean-to, or sleeping under the open sky- a rumor shuttled through the crowd – Jesus was nearJesus spent the previous night in Bethany,• a small village on the backside of the Mt. of Olives◦ there had already been speculation, whether he’d show up◦ many people had been looking for him in and around the temple• a murmur of voices floated down the slopes of the Mount of Olives◦ breathless anticipation hung in the air- someone, not yet clued-in, felt it and asked, “What’s going on?”she was told the rumor, “We think Jesus is here!”“Where?”“We don’t know yet, but he’s close”- then there was some commotion at the crown of the mountain• a man threw his cloak on the worn path, perhaps hoping Jesus would step on it when he arrived• that triggered a wave of people carpeting the road◦ some throwing down their cloaks or a palm branch◦ others cut more branches and preparing to wave them like banners