“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 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. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “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.’ ” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The 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!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.””
Matthew 21:1-11 NIV
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”
Zechariah 9:9-10 NIV (480 BC)
•The Passover lamb was checked 4 days before passover (10th Nissan, Passover on 14th) to make sure it was without defect.
“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.”
Exodus 12:3, 5-6 NIV
•Jesus is the Lamb of God
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29 NIV
A few days before Passover, before Jesus was crucified on the cross, He was examined and welcomed by the crowds in Jerusalem.
•The Roman Army was guarding Jerusalem at Passover in Jesus time.
During Passover in Jesus’ time, the Roman army was definitely present in Jerusalem—and in increased numbers.
Why more soldiers during Passover?
- Passover was a major pilgrimage festival, drawing hundreds of thousands of Jews to Jerusalem.
- It commemorated the Exodus from Egypt—a story of liberation from oppression—so nationalist and messianic fervor often ran high.
- Rome feared riots or uprisings, so they reinforced military presence during the festival.
……….I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”
Zechariah 9:9-10 NIV (480 BC)
Christ riding in on a donkey defeats the war horses and chariots!