Why Did Jesus Ride A Donkey? A Humble King

Why Did Jesus Enter Jerusalem Riding a Donkey?

Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem is one of the most well-known accounts in the New Testament. Many know that Jesus entered the city riding on a donkey. However, many don’t know the significance of this event.

Why did Jesus choose a donkey? By riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus fulfilled a prophecy recorded in Zechariah. Jesus was demonstrating that He was the king spoken of in Zechariah 9. The Gospel of Matthew makes this explicit in Matthew 21:5. The king that Zechariah prophesied of was unique. This prophesied king was a king of justice. He was One who was bringing salvation with Him. In addition to this, He was at the same time humble (Zechariah 9:9). Furthermore, this king (Jesus) will speak peace to the nations; And His dominion will be from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth (Zechariah 9:10). This prophecy introduces imagery of a king who reigns with justice and peace. This imagery caused many who considered that Christ was the promised Messiah to ask: How could a king who is coming to save His people (who were under the authority of Rome at the time) do it by peaceful means? Shouldn’t Jesus have been on a war horse with the full complement of the military behind Him? Jesus didn’t come into Jerusalem on a donkey to save people from an earthly kingdom through force. Jesus came to save people from a far greater danger and in a far more surprising manner. He came to save all who would believe in Him from their sins. And, He didn’t do it by force. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem to fulfill the Scriptures. He did it to show that He was bringing forth salvation, not by force but through faith.

Let’s investigate further.

Jesus Is King

Even though people have different opinions about who Jesus is, Scripture teaches that Jesus IS King. Not was King but is King.

The prophecy Jesus was specifically fulfilling when He entered Jerusalem on a donkey claims He is a king:

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, Gentle, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” (Matthew 21:5)

The prophet Zechariah is not the only to refer to the Messiah as king. Here are just a few additional references to consider:

Daniel (Daniel 7:13–14)
Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6–7)
the Apostle John (Revelation 19:16)
the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 1:20–21)
Jesus Himself (John 18:36)

This short list is not intended to be exhaustive. Many other passages and biblical authors state that Jesus is king. And while Jesus has other equally significant roles (Lord, Savior, Redeemer, High Priest, etc.), the role of king is one that has implications for all people.

As king, part of the ministry of Jesus was to proclaim release to the captives (Luke 4:18–19). (For more on this declaration, read our article: Why Did Jesus Quote Isaiah 61? Mission & Purpose.) And while Jesus fulfilled this part of His ministry, He didn’t accomplish this through the traditional means of earthly kings. There was no physical war against the Roman Empire. There was no campaign to destroy the Pharisees. There was no attempt at a hostile takeover of Jerusalem. Jesus didn’t have a lavish earthly palace (Jesus 9:58) or a large, loyal army (John 6:66).

When Jesus was on the cross, being crucified by a bloodthirsty mob of His enemies, to the onlookers it didn’t look like Jesus was much of a king at all. However, even though Jesus died, He didn’t stay in the grave. He rose from the grave, defeating death, and then He ascended into Heaven where He sits on His throne until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet (Hebrews 10:13). What looked like defeat to many as they watched Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:42), was actually the greatest of victories.

Jesus conquered and overcame in a way that no one else could. However, just as Christ’s first coming was prophesied as a peaceful one with the king riding on a donkey, there are pending prophecies yet to be fulfilled of Christ’s return on a horse of war to conquer those who fail to heed His loving message of salvation through repentance and faith. More on that below.

As King, How Did Jesus Save People Without Being A Conqueror?

Jesus came to make a way for all who repent and believe in Him to be saved. Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe (Galatians 3:22). And as king, He did it by laying down His own life. Jesus demonstrated His victory by willingly going to the cross, enduring the wrath of God against all sin, shedding His blood, and then rising from the grave.

(For more on Christ’s suffering under the wrath of God in order to accomplish our salvation, check out these articles: Why Did Jesus Feel Abandoned? Forsaken by God & Why Did Jesus Ask for the Cup to Pass?)

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself [Jesus] likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

What Jesus conquered is far greater than any amount of geographical territory that any earthly king has ever conquered. For the wages of sin is death, and death is the proof that all have sinned, because all die. Therefore, because all have rebelled against God, all rightly stand condemned before Him, destined for an eternity spent in Hell away from the favorable presence of the Lord. But Jesus stands apart. He is the sinless lamb of God. Christ demonstrated that He is sinless through His resurrection. Death had no power over Him because He knew no sin, nor was sin found in Him. Instead, Jesus became sin, so that all who believe in Him can have a right standing with God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). And the good news is that Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21–26)

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13–14)

Jesus didn’t save people through the traditional methods of earthly kings. Jesus did what no earthly king, emperor, ruler, or other authority could do. He lovingly laid down His own life, that He could make a people for the Kingdom of God, from every tribe, tongue, nation, and people.

A Solemn Warning

Jesus has declared that He is returning once again. He says of Himself, For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds. “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matthew 16:27–28). This time, He will not be mounted on donkey. Instead, He will be mounted on a horse of war:

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. (Revelation 19:11)

When He returns, Jesus is coming to wage war on His enemies. He is coming with the army of heaven (Revelation 19:14). He is going to strike down the nations, rule them with an iron rod, and tread the wine press of the fierce wrath of God (Revelation 19:15).

Are you an enemy of God? Will you be found outside of Christ on the great and terrible day of the Lord?

Jesus says “The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters” (Matthew 12:30). Many say that they are not enemies of Jesus. But Jesus says that if you are not living for the glory of God, then you need to repent. God has set a day when Jesus will return. At that time, He will gather those who have repented, believed, and followed Him and welcome them into His Kingdom for all of eternity. Also at that time, He will also gather those who have refused to repent, believe, and follow Him, and they will be cast into Hell for all of eternity.

Be reconciled to God through repentance and faith in His Son Jesus while there is still time. Today is the day of salvation, and God is being patient, wanting none to perish, but all to come to repentance. However, His patience will come to an end. Don’t wait. The eternal place of your soul is at stake.

Is God With Us or Against Us?