Rocks Cry Out

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the rocks will cry out.” Luke 19:40

The mention of rocks or stones crying out is found in the context of the triumphal entry—Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem a week before He was killed (Aka, Palm Sunday). Jesus rode on the back of a borrowed donkey’s colt, and multitudes of people praised Him as the “king who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 19:38). When the Pharisees in the crowd heard the people’s worship directed at Jesus, they said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” (verse 39). The Pharisees had to know they were powerless to stop the excitement of the people, so they called on Jesus to stop what they believed to be blasphemy. Jesus replied, “I tell you, . . . if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40). In saying that the stones will cry out, Jesus indicates that the people’s acclimations should be encouraged, not suppressed. The people of Jerusalem are expressing great joy, and that joy is so appropriate, so necessary, that, if they did not express praise, it would be appropriate for inanimate objects to fill the void. Colossians 1:16 says that all creation was made for God’s glory. Everything in creation declares His glory!!