Matthew 21

Jesus Enters into Jerusalem Riding on a Donkey vv.1-11

Matthew notes the significance of the donkey in the light of prophecy from Zechariah 9:9

 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;

Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem:

Behold, thy King cometh unto thee:

He is just, and having salvation;

Lowly, and riding upon an ass,

And upon a colt the foal of an ass.

For Matthew and his readers, the significance of the details in Jesus’ entry into the city is the promises of God being fulfilled. The Old Testament is the record of what God said and what we’re seeing in Matthew is God showing He operates by the book, the record of His own written word.

There is much to think about with the symbolism of Jesus riding a donkey riding into Jerusalem with the cheers of the people to greet Him.  There are many significant layers of what is happening and what God is communicating.  Cleary God intended His Word to be contemplated, read, and re-read.  Some of that significance is clear when one appreciates the historical backdrop of the situation, namely Roman occupation.

Matthew quotes Zechariah to once again show that Jesus is the seed of David and God’s anointed.   The throne, historically, sits in Jerusalem and is where the Roman occupation heads up its control of the region through Pontius Pilate.  One might expect a king in the clutches of occupation would mount up a thousand steeds fit for war, but not this King.  He chose rather to peacefully enter in on the back of the donkey, hardly the symbol for war and aggression.  One might presume that war is not in Jesus’ nature at all, but one would have to continue reading the Bible, particularly its conclusion when Jesus returns to earth on a white warhorse.

War and justice was not the purpose of Jesus visit to Jerusalem but rather to make peace between God and sinners.   No doubt, people would have assumed differently about Jesus shouting out “Hosanna, the Son of David!”  After all, God began the whole covenant with Israel by delivering them, and David secured their borders against enemies through military might.  Why shouldn’t the people assume Jesus has done to continue the pattern?  Luke records the disciples themselves frequently misunderstood the spirit of Jesus’ coming: ”

^“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them…”

No, Jesus’ kingship is much different, for He will reign from the cross.  They wanted Jesus to defeat their temporary enemies, but He had come to defeat men’s ultimate enemy, sin and death.  “Who is this?” someone in the crowd asks.  “It is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee” someone responds–a true response, but still utterly falls short of who He is and why He has come.  Only when His disciples see Him on the cross and hear of His resurrection will they begin to understand God’s plan all along was much more than conquering a hundred miles of dirt.  But rather conquering the grave itself through Jesus.   His sacrifice and life make eternal life available to all who have their sins forgiven by faith in Jesus and His resurrection.  God saves men from hell by our faith in Jesus Christ according to the promises of Scripture.