Was there any special reason why people chose palm branches to welcome Jesus to Jerusalem?
A. The date palm, valued for its nutritious fruit, was depicted on the walls of the Temple. A palm tree grows as a single trunk, tall and straight. At the top it spreads out a crown of fronds or short branches which bear leaves and fruit. Its upright standing inspired the psalmist to picture the just flourishing like the palm tree. It is a symbol of prayer, as one stands before God, with arms outstretched and bearing fruit. In the Apocalypse the Christian martyrs are clad in white garments, waving palm branches before the throne of God. We speak of the palm of martyrdom.
