They are giving Jesus the “red-carpet treatment,” an act intended to note a dignitary’s presence (Marshall). For example, Josephus depicts the action in behalf of Jehu (Antiquities 9.6.2 §111) and for Agrippa’s bed in prison (Antiquities 18.6.7 §204) (see also the parallel use of garments in n. 12). Jesus allows the act to proceed as he enters the city. Two details are found in Matt. 21:8 = Mark 11:8: the crowd spreads (ἔστρωσαν [estrōsan] where Luke has ὑπεστρώννυον [hypestrōnnyon]) garments