The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus sends two disciples to fetch a colt with instructions that read like a prearranged signal, and rides into Jerusalem down the Mount of Olives at the start of Passover week, when the city is crowded with pilgrims.
The crowd spreads cloaks and branches on the road and shouts Hosanna — save us — and the words of Psalm 118 about the one who comes in the name of the Lord. The choice of animal is the whole statement. A commander returning in triumph rode a warhorse; Zechariah's promised king comes humble and riding on a donkey.
John reports the Pharisees saying to each other that the whole world has gone after him. Within days the same city will call for his execution — a reversal the Gospels record without commentary, and which has shaped how Holy Week is kept ever since.
Where in scripture
Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9
[1] When they came near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, [2] saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them, and bring them to me. [3] If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and immediately he will send them.” [4] All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, [5] “Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” [6] The disciples went, and did just as Jesus commanded them, [7] and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them. …
Matthew 21:1–11 — opening verses
[1] When they came near to Jerusalem, to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, [2] and said to them, “Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him, and bring him. [3] If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs him;’ and immediately he will send him back here.” [4] They went away, and found a young donkey tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him. [5] Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing, untying the young donkey?” [6] They said to them just as Jesus had said, and they let them go. …
Mark 11:1–11 — opening verses
[12] On the next day a great multitude had come to the feast. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, [13] they took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” [14] Jesus, having found a young donkey, sat on it. As it is written, [15] “Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” [16] His disciples didn’t understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him. [17] The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, was testifying about it. …
John 12:12–19 — opening verses
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
