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Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King ²¹As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

⁴ This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

⁵ “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Jesus and the pilgrim crowds have climbed from Jericho to reach the ridge overlooking Jerusalem. There he has arranged a spectacular demonstration to announce the true nature of his Messiahship. He has deliberately prepared to enter the city on a colt which had never before been ridden (the presence of its mother would be calming in the noisy crowd), greeted by enthusiastic, cheering crowds. This fulfills Zechariah’s prophecy, “Triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech. 9:9, NRSV). The use of a lowly donkey, not a chariot or warhorse, signals his mission of peace, bringing salvation. His rule would not be achieved through military prowess but rather through suffering and humiliation.

Cloaks are placed on the donkey and across its path. The pilgrims and those from the city welcome Jesus, waving palm branches as they shout and sing psalms of praise, salvation, and victory (9). Excitement is high. They proclaim Jesus as God’s representative who would fulfill the hopes of their people. As the procession makes its way into the city, it causes a commotion of seismic proportions. Many are asking, “Who is this?” (10), to which others in the crowd proudly reply, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” (11).

The dramatic presentation of biblical truth was demonstrated in the Jewish festivals, the prophets’ messages and Jesus’ life. This account reveals a deliberate illustration of the prophecy of Zechariah. There is no longer a need for Jesus to play a quiet role. In this one act, he allows himself to be proclaimed as coming in the name of the Lord.

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