Question 1

True or false: The Bible says Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on a horse, not a donkey.

Accepted Answer

False. All four Gospels mention a donkey or colt; horses symbolize war, but donkeys symbolize peace in ancient Near Eastern culture.

Question 2

True or false: Palm Sunday commemorates the day Jesus was crucified, according to most Christian traditions.

Accepted Answer

False. Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem; his crucifixion is remembered on Good Friday.

Question 3

True or false: Palm Sunday has no fixed date because it depends on the lunar calendar used by the church.

Accepted Answer

True. Palm Sunday falls on the Sunday before Easter, which is tied to the paschal full moon, so it can occur between mid-March and late April.

Question 4

True or false: The word 'hosanna' shouted on Palm Sunday literally means 'praise the Lord' in Hebrew.

Accepted Answer

False. 'Hosanna' comes from Hebrew meaning 'save us, we pray'—it’s a plea for salvation, not just praise, though later used as acclamation.

Question 5

True or false: Palm branches used in Palm Sunday services are often burned to make ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Accepted Answer

True. Many churches save and burn palms from the previous Palm Sunday to create the ashes used on Ash Wednesday the following year.

Question 6

True or false: Palm Sunday is the only day in the Christian calendar when branches are blessed before being distributed.

Accepted Answer

True. Palm Sunday uniquely marks the blessing and distribution of branches (palms) to commemorate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem; no other Christian feast includes this ritual.

Question 7

True or false: In medieval Europe, Palm Sunday processions sometimes included a wooden donkey on wheels called a 'Palmesel'.

Accepted Answer

True. Churches in Germany and elsewhere used a wooden statue of Jesus on a donkey, pulled through town, to dramatize the procession.

Question 8

True or false: In many Christian churches, the palm branches blessed on Palm Sunday are kept until the next year to be burned for Ash Wednesday ashes.

Accepted Answer

True. It is a common practice in many denominations to save palms from Palm Sunday, then burn them to create the ashes used for Ash Wednesday the following year.

Palm Sunday Trivia Questions