Laudator Temporis Acti

Matthew 21.8:

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

Mark 11.8:

And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.

John 12.12-13:

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him.

For similar tributes in Greek and Latin literature, see:

• Pindar, Pythian Odes 9.124: They showered many leaves and crowns upon him (πολλὰ μὲν κεῖνοι δίκον φύλλ᾽ ἔπι καὶ στεφάνους), where "him" refers to Alexidamus.
  
• Vergil, Eclogues 5.40: Strew the ground with leaves (spargite humum foliis), in honor of Daphnis.
  
• Horace, Odes 3.13.14: The forest scatters its wild leaves for you (spargit agrestis tibi silva frondis), where "you" is the god Pan.
  
• Ovid, Tristia 4.2.49-50: Along your path, you will be applauded on every side by the hands of your subjects, with flowers thrown and covering the roads everywhere (quaque ibis, manibus circumplaudere tuorum / undique iactato flore tegente vias), where "you" is Tiberius.
  
• Plutarch, Life of Caesar 30.2 (tr. Bernadotte Perrin): When Curio laid these proposals before the people in behalf of Caesar, he was loudly applauded, and some actually cast garlands of flowers upon him as if he were a victorious athlete.