Why Did Jesus Ride On A Colt

Why Did Jesus Ride a Donkey into Jerusalem? The Triumphal Entry

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a Donkey When they got close to Jerusalem and reached Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus dispatched two disciples, instructing them to go to the Mount of Olives and pray “You will find a donkey tied to a post in the hamlet in front of you as soon as you enter it, as well as a colt with her. Bring them to me after they’ve been untied. If someone says anything to you, you are to respond by saying, “The Lord requires them,” and the Lord will dispatch them immediately.” These events took happened as a result of what the prophet had predicted: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, lowly, and ridden on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'” Matthew 21:1-5 is a passage from the Bible.

John 12:14-16 is a biblical passage.

O daughter of Jerusalem, let your voice be heard!

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Why Did Jesus Ride a Donkey?

Despite the fact that Jesus had come to Jerusalem on multiple occasions to honor the feasts, his final arrival into the city had a special importance for him. He was triumphantly approaching as a modest King of peace, and everyone was cheering for him. Donkeys were traditionally used to enter cities, as opposed to a conquering monarch riding in on his horse, to signify peace, rather than war. Doug Bookman provides the following transcription of his argument for why Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey: “‘Behold, O Jerusalem of Zion, the King comes upon youmeek and lowlyriding on the back of a donkey,’ Zechariah 9:9 says.

That is not the case.

The fact that the monarch rode on a donkey is quite significant.

And don’t forget that when Absalom took the kingdom from his father, David, the first thing he did was go grab his royal donkey and ride through the streets of the city to prove his legitimacy.

When it says He comes gentle and lowly, the implication is that He does not arrive with a military apparatus to protect him. He does not arrive with an army; instead, he arrives humble and lowly, riding on the back of a donkey. Consequently, I believe that the donkey is a symbol of His kingship.”

Donkeys in the Bible

The following is an excerpt from the Bible Encyclopedia’s “The Donkey” entry in theScripture Alphabet of Animals: “The Donkey”: is somewhat similar in appearance to a horse, but is somewhat smaller and appears to be lazy and uninterested in most activities. In certain areas, like as those where the Bible was written, it is a magnificent huge animal that is used for riding by the local populace. Some of the people recorded in the Bible possessed a large number of donkeys. Abraham possessed sheep, oxen, donkeys, and camels, whereas Job possessed five hundred donkeys at one point and a thousand donkeys afterwards.

  • It’s important to remember that when our holy Savior was approaching Jerusalem a few days before his death, he rode on the back of a donkey, demonstrating his meekness and humility even while the crowds sang his praises and spread their robes in the path of respect for him.
  • The donkey is quite kind and tolerant, and he does not appear to be annoyed even when he is carrying a very big burden.
  • Despite the fact that he appears so uninteresting, he is devoted to his master and will occasionally track him down and run to him even while he is surrounded by guys.
  • Credits for the image: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Diy13

Why Did Christ Ride a Donkey on His Triumphant Entry? – Amazing Bible Timeline with World History

When we read the 21st chapter of Matthew, we learn that Jesus dispatched two of his followers to a town in order to obtain a donkey with a colt alongside it, and that this was the beginning of his victorious entry into Jerusalem. In order for him to be able to ride the donkey on his route to Jerusalem, Jesus instructed them to bring him the donkey and colt. But why did Jesus chose a poor donkey to travel on instead of a majestic horse to carry his cross? Published by the Amazing Bible Timeline with World History, these articles are written by the publishers of the book.

  1. There were three reasons why Jesus rode a donkey.
  2. Horses are almost often referenced in the Bible in connection with kings and battle, but donkeys are almost always mentioned in connection with regular people.
  3. “Jesus utilized the donkey to establish a connection with ordinary people.” Donkeys were not commonly utilized during times of war since they were smaller than horses and possessed of a cautious nature that may be misinterpreted for stubbornness.
  4. It was fulfilled in Matthew 21:1-11 when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and he was victorious since he had done it without shedding any blood on the part of his followers.
  5. Third, Jesus utilized the donkey to establish a connection with ordinary people.
  6. During his time on this planet, Jesus, on the other hand, loved the impoverished and the ill.

These articles are written by the publishers of The Amazing Bible Timeline with World History, and are available for free download. See almost 6000 years of Bible and world history at a single glance.

  • On this fantastic study companion, you will have access to over 1,000 references in a circular arrangement that is unique to it. Educate yourself on intriguing facts: Biblical events with scriptural references placed alongside global history demonstrate amusing chronological linkages. People will stop and speak about this well laidout Jesus historical timeline poster, which is perfect for your house, business, or church because of its attractive and simple design. More information about this unusual and entertaining Bible study tool may be found by clicking here.

Triumphal Entry: What You NEVER KNEW about Jesus and the Donkey!

Throughout the Bible, God never missed a chance to employ strong symbols to communicate his message. The fact that Jesus rode atop this humble horse says a great deal about Christ’s character and mission. What was Jesus’ reason for riding a donkey? The Messiah, as predicted by the prophets, is assuming His proper place in the world. Throughout the Bible, God never missed a chance to employ strong symbols to communicate his message. The fact that Jesus rode atop this humble horse says a great deal about Christ’s character and mission.

  • Matthew 21:1-5 is a passage of scripture.
  • What was Jesus’ reason for riding a donkey?
  • He is modest and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass.” He is humble and riding on an ass.” The Bible says (Zechariah 9:9) KJV.
  • The reason the people acclaimed Jesus as their king was because they were chanting, “Hosanna!” The one who comes in the name of the Lord is to be praised!

2. Jesus rode a donkey to symbolize peace.

Why didn’t Jesus ride a warhorse like He did in the book of Revelation? Leaders in the ancient Middle Eastern civilization rode horses if they were going to battle, but donkeys if they were going to negotiate peace, explains Mark Boda. Solomon is described as riding a donkey on the day he was acknowledged as the new king of Israel, according to First Kings 1:33. Other biblical passages that mention leaders riding donkeys include Judges 5:10, 10:4, 12:14, and 2 Samuel 16:2. According to Zechariah 9:9-10, a donkey is mentioned, which corresponds to the description of a king who will be “just and possessing salvation, compassionate.” Instead of riding into battle, this monarch would choose to enter in peace.

  • He will go across the world proclaiming peace.
  • “Take away.
  • “The war bow will be broken”: there will be no need for bows or arrows in combat.
  • “His reign shall spread from sea to sea,” which means that the King will have control over a large area with no opponents to worry about.

Zechariah’s prophecy is fulfilled in the person of Jesus. The worldwide peace that this lowly King will declare will be a fulfillment of the angels’ hymn in Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward mankind!” (NKJV).

3. Christ’s journey on a donkey harkened back to the foreshadowing of a father sacrificing his own only son.

Isaac, a symbol of Christ, rides a donkey to the altar where he would be sacrificed by his father Abraham (Genesis 49:10-12).

4. Jesus’ journey on a donkey symbolized God’s blessing to His people.

According to Genesis 49:10-12, Jacob’s divine blessing over his son Judoh includes the following reference to a donkey and a donkey’s foal: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until he comes to whom it belongs, and the obedience of the nations shall be his. In order to wash his clothing in wine, he will soak his robes in the blood of grapes. He will tie his donkey to a vine, and his colt to the most desirable branch. It is predicted that his eyes would be deeper than wine and that his teeth will be whiter than milk.” Jesus is born into the tribe of Judah and is enthroned for all eternity.

In addition, read verses 14-16 about Isaachar, the rawboned donkey who submits to the authority of the king!

5. Jesus’ triumphal journey teaches us that after all of the sacrifices offered for sin, we can enter the rest of faith because of His final sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12).

God’s unambiguous mandate is seen in Exodus 23:12: “Do your job for six days, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your cow and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.”

6. Emissaries sent donkeys overloaded with gifts to appease the wrath of an enemy, preventing bloodshed.

For the purpose of avoiding the anger of his brother Esau, Jacob sent donkeys loaded with riches (Genesis 33:8). Abigail arrived with donkeys loaded with food in order to prevent David from murdering her and her family. Nabal, her spouse, had enraged the king-to-be with his behavior. In 1 Samuel 25:26, the wise woman knelt before David and said, “And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal,” referring to David’s enemies and all who are intent on harming him.

7. God used a donkey to speak His judgment!

Yes, Balaam’s donkey does in fact warn the prophet of His violation to the law. According to the book of Numbers 22, “. The Lord unlocked the donkey’s lips, and the donkey answered to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you that you have hit me these three times?'” ‘You have made a fool of yourself,’ Balaam said to the donkey. If I only had a sword in my hand, I would be able to put you to death right now.’ In response, the donkey inquired, ‘Am I not your own donkey, on which you have always ridden, even to this day?’ Is this something I’ve been doing to you on a regular basis?’ ‘No,’ he responded.

  1. As a result, he bent low and fell on the ground facedown.
  2. Judges 15:15 is an example of a formalized formalized formalized formalized (Judges 15:15).
  3. The donkey was not devoured by the lion.
  4. Using a donkey, King Jehu traveled towards Samaria, which was a type of fake Jerusalem, in order to demolish the temple dedicated to the false deity Baal (2 Kings 9:11-10:28).

Matthew 21:12 describes Christ’s entry into Jerusalem’s temple and His pronouncement of judgment as He overturned the money-changers’ tables: “My home shall be called a place of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

8. Jesus demonstrated that he was the burden-bearer who came to save us.

Baby Jesus was born in the most humble of circumstances. Remember that a donkey transported a pregnant Mary, a poor woman from Nazareth, all the way to Bethlehem in the first century. (See Luke 2:4-7.) This noble beast of burden was responsible for transporting the Savior of the World. The image of Mary’s donkey was utilized by Jesus to establish a connection with the common people. He was on his way to get them. During his time on our planet, Jesus showed compassion for the poor, the weak, and the downtrodden.

  1. He went to him and treated his wounds with oil and wine, then left him to rest.
  2. This year, take a more in-depth look at the triumphant entry.
  3. www.Amazingbibletimeline.com www.Taylormarshall.com Kristin M.
  4. is a Ph.D.
  5. Alan Rudnick, Baylor University, shares his lessons learned from a donkey.
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Did Jesus ride a colt, a donkey, or both?

A donkey and a colt are mentioned in Matthew, while only a colt is mentioned in Mark and Luke. Who is correct? In addition, assuming Matthew is correct, what is the best way to ride a donkey and a colt at the exact same time?

Answer

Matthew 21:2-7: Enter the settlement in front of you, and you will discover a donkey tied to a post, as well as a colt tethered to another post beside her. He will be brought to me by the untiedthemand. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them, and he sat on the backs of them. Mark 11:2-7: Enter the hamlet in front of you, and as soon as you enter there, you will see a colttied, which has never been sat on before. This is a sign that you have entered the right village.

  • When the people arrived, they placed their cloaks on the colt and seated it in front of Jesus.
  • Untieitand bringithere are two words that come to mind.
  • The assertions made by Matthew, Mark, and Luke are all true and accurate.
  • Matthew’s account is available online (cf.
  • 9:9).
  • Also, if you had three pals, Bob (and his two companions), Jeff (and his son, John), visit to your house yesterday and you told your boss the next day that Bob had been at your house, was that a lie because you didn’t add Jeff and John?
  • It is not necessary for someone to recount every detail of an occurrence in order to be speaking the truth.
  • They are irrelevant because they are not required for the author’s main point to be established.
  • Luke 23:38, et.
  • As a result, all three of them are telling the truth.
  • Given that the voyage was too long for a young colt to make with one on its back, it is logical to assume that Jesus rode the elder donkey first and then the little colt afterwards.

To be sure, the most apparent solution is that the second “them” in Matthew is speaking about cloth (plural throughout the gospels) rather than a donkey and a colt, as others have speculated.

Related Topics

The Bible has typographical errors. Are there any missing verses? The Infallible Word of God Scripture that has been inspired by God The Canonization of the New Testament is the process through which the New Testament canon is established. The Bible is a collection of writings that are arranged in a chronological order. How to Communicate the Authority of Scripture in a Postmodern Context Scripture’s Scriptural Authority Scripture’s Continuing Relevance The Bible’s Transmission to the Next Generation The Bible’s Attestation of the Truth Scripture It’s only the KJV, yet there’s an error of errors: the 1611 KJV Preface disagrees with KJO.

The mystery of the never-saddled colt

The enigma of the colt who has never been saddled For our Lord, there is nothing new to be found here. When Jesus reaches Jerusalem, he is greeted by large crowds waving palm branches and laying them down as a carpet in front of Him. This is known as Palm Sunday. The people of Israel exclaim, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The verses are taken from Psalm 118, which is known as the Messianic Psalm. However, before all of this takes place, as Jesus draws closer to Jerusalem, he makes a pit stop on the Mount of Olives.

  • Matthew 21:2 (KJV) The disciples are instructed by Jesus to bring the pair of animals to him.
  • This moment had been prepared by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit more than 500 years prior.
  • Your King is on his way to you, as you can see.
  • When the disciples return with the donkeys, Matthew claims that Jesus mounts both of them and rides them towards Jerusalem.
  • But why are there two?
  • Did he require a large number of animals to bear his weight?
  • Even more intriguing, why not include a second full-sized donkey in the mix?

And why did you choose such a specific colt?

The mystery surrounding the colt that has never been saddled is interesting in and of itself.

Our Bibles provide footnotes to the passages that are the most easily found.

It’s correct because the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit had a plan from the beginning.

Chapter one of the book of Genesis Father, Son, and Holy Spirit march through history, handing away precious jewels to prophets along the way, until they eventually arrive at the time when the word becomes flesh and resides among us, when the word becomes flesh and dwells among us.

Consider the implications of this.

Do we treat prophecy with the reverence that it deserves?

Abraham had a large number of sons from three different wives.

Jacob had a total of 12 sons.

Moses couldn’t have predicted what would happen in the future on his own.

The donkey and the colt who has never been saddled are not chosen by Jesus at random for Palm Sunday, as we will discover shortly after this paragraph.

This is monumental.

No coincidence that when Jacob talks of Christ to his son Judah, he also speaks of the colt and donkey, which are symbols of the animal kingdom.

“The scepter will not be removed from Judah until the one who is entitled to it has arrived.” Genesis 49:10 New International Version In addition, he attaches his donkey to a vine and the foal of his donkey to the most desirable vine.

They are the ones who fulfill this prophesy.

But what is the significance of the verse?

I warned you it was going to be massive!

Similarly to how the donkey gave birth to the colt, the Old Testament is pregnant with predictions that are brought to fruition in the New Testament.

CSB (Genesis 49:11) What exactly is the vine?

The colt, on the other hand, represents the new covenant in Christ, and it is reserved for the most chosen of God’s people—for you and me, and for the entire church.

Only with Christ as a participant in the new covenant can it be realized!

Allow this enigma of the never-saddled colt to serve as a constant reminder of one thing: the splendor contained within your Bible.

Take pleasure in reading God’s messages.

And be ready to be astonished.

Email her at [email protected] if you want to get in touch. 2019 Copyright & Intellectual Property Rights R. A. Mathews is an American author and poet. Every week, you’ll receive opinion articles, letters, and editorials sent straight to your email!

How did Christ ride a Donkey AND a Colt (at the same time?)

a period of time of years I was perplexed by Saint Matthew’s narrative of Palm Sunday:we read that Christ rode a female donkeyand her newborn colt. However, in the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John, we are told that Christ rode a donkey and that there is no mention of the colt. For some reason, I had the impression that Christ was riding both the she-donkey and the little colt at the same time, straddling both with his arms wide. I realize this is ridiculous, but I couldn’t come up with any other way to visualize what Matthew was describing.

  1. According to Lapide, Christ first rode the ass up and down the mountain before transferring to the colt and riding it into the city.
  2. The she-ass would be stronger and better able to move up and down the terrain.
  3. Yet there is a mysterious connotation attached to this symbol as well.
  4. Saint Peter our first Pope regarded the Mosaic Law as “a yoke…which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear” (Acts 15:10, D-R) (Acts 15:10, D-R).
  5. Christ our Lord rode both to signify that both the Jews and the Gentiles were called to beChristophoroi–Christ-bearers.
  6. Get Dr.

What is the significance of the triumphal/triumphant entry?

QuestionAnswer Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Jesus’ crucifixion, is known as the triumphant entry because it marks the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem on that day (John 12:1, 12). In the life of Jesus, the tale of the triumphant entry is one of the rare instances in which the same event is recounted in all four Gospel versions (Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19). The triumphant entry, when the four versions are taken together, becomes obvious that it had significance not just for the people of Jesus’ day, but also for Christians throughout history.

  1. It was on that day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a borrowed donkey’s colt, which had never been saddled before.
  2. As He rode to the temple, the people applauded and exalted Him as the “King who comes in the name of the Lord,” and He taught and cured them while driving out the money-changers and merchants who had turned His Father’s home into a “den of thieves” (Mark 11:17).
  3. According to Matthew, the King’s arrival on the back of a donkey’s foal was a perfect fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, which reads, “Rejoice loudly, O Daughter of Zion!
  4. Your king comes to you, righteous and blessed with salvation.
  5. Jerusalem, the royal city, is open to Him, and he ascends to His palace, which is not a temporal palace but a spiritual palace, which is the temple, for His kingdom is a spiritual kingdom.
  6. He gets the respect and adoration of the people because He is the only one who is deserving of it.
  7. Cloaks were strewn as a form of honor to the king and his court (see 2 Kings 9:13).

Unfortunately, the people’s adoration for Jesus did not come as a result of their recognition of Him as their personal Savior from sin.

Many people, including those who did not trust in Christ as Savior, believed that He would be a great temporal deliverer for them, even if they did not believe in Christ as Savior.

Nevertheless, when He fell short of their expectations, when He declined to lead them in a general insurrection against the Roman oppressors, the people rapidly turned against Him.

He will eventually be rejected and abandoned by those who had praised Him as a hero.

In this myth, the King rides in on a donkey, not a majestic stallion, and does not appear in regal garb, but rather in the garments of the poor and the humble.

His is not a kingdom of troops and magnificence, but rather a kingdom of humility and service.

His message is one of peace with God, not one of temporal peace, as is commonly understood.

Those same characteristics are demonstrated by us as His disciples, and the world witnesses the genuine King ruling and reigning in victory through us. Questions regarding Jesus Christ (return to top of page) What exactly is the significance of the triumphant arrival into the building?

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A Donkey and Her Colt

The New Testament contains some minor details about Jesus’ life that most Christians would prefer not to think about. However, when Christians are challenged to defend the inerrancy of The Book that tells the beautiful story of Jesus, it is necessary to consider these minor particulars, which are called for by Scripture. The same may be said about Jesus’ triumphal arrival into Jerusalem during the final week of His earthly ministry. People who identify with the name of Christ take pleasure in reading the screams of “Hosanna!” from the crowds and reflecting on the fact that Jesus traveled to Jerusalem in order to offer redemption to the world.

This is what Matthew recorded:Now as they were drawing near Jerusalem and reached Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus dispatched two disciples and instructed them to “go into the town opposite you and immediately you will find a donkey tethered and a colt with her.” Take them out of there and bring them to Me.

  • “All of this was done in so that the prophecy may be realized.” As a result, the disciples went and performed exactly what Jesus had instructed them to do.
  • Furthermore, a large number of people threw their garments on the road; some chopped branches from the trees and threw them on the road.
  • ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” exclaimed the throngs of people who had gathered before him and those who had followed him.
  • According to Mark’s account, Jesus promised the two disciples that they would find “a colttied, on which no one has sat” if they went out looking for it (11:2).
  • Later, after putting their clothing on the colt, they brought Jesus to sit on it.
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(See also Luke 19:29-38 and John 12:12-16.) In the book “Bible Contradictions,” published in 2003, it is claimed that “the author of Matthew contradicts the author of Mark on the number of animals Jesus is riding into Jerusalem.” Is it possible to reconcile these stories, or does this appear to be a valid contradiction?

One donkey was all that was mentioned by the authors (the colt).

The fact that Mark, Luke, and John all describe only one young donkey does not rule out the possibility that there were two.

Without a doubt, this is not the case.

Furthermore, when the writers of Mark and Luke and John mention that a donkey was there, Matthew just adds his own observations to what the other writers have already reported. Take a look at the other portions of the tale that have been augmented by one or more of the synoptic authors.

  • Mark and Luke both mention Bethphage, although Matthew only mentions Bethphage once
  • Mark and Luke both mention Bethphage and Bethany
  • And Mark and Luke both note that the horse they acquired for Christ had never been ridden before. In Matthew’s gospel, this piece of information is deleted
  • Matthew was the only gospel writer to include Zechariah’s prophesy
  • And Mark and Luke both contain the question that the owners of the colt posed to the disciples while they were on their way to acquire a donkey for Jesus. Matthew did not include this information in his narrative

As can be seen, the writers of this story (and the rest of the gospel stories, for that matter) continually complemented one other’s accounts over the course of the narrative. Such additional information should only be anticipated from independent sources, some of whom were eyewitnesses to the events. The possibility that Matthew was an eyewitness to Jesus’ last journey into Jerusalem makes it highly likely that Matthew was meticulous in his counting of the donkeys. (It should be noted that Matthew was one of the twelve apostles, although Mark and Luke were not.

  1. ‘Behold, your King is coming to you.lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, a foal of a donkey,’ the prophet wrote.
  2. In this stanza, Zechariah employs Hebrew poetic parallelism to great effect (the balancing of thought in successive lines of poetry).
  3. Interestingly, even though the colt was the most important animal, Zechariah also indicated that this donkey was the offspring of a female donkey, which is a rare occurrence in the Bible.
  4. When the gospel of Matthew is taken into consideration, the long-sought female donkey of Zechariah 9:9 comes to light.
  5. Because the colt had never been ridden or even sat on before (as reported by Mark and Luke), its reliance on its mother is completely comprehensible and reasonable (as implied by Matthew).
  6. It is the question of how Jesus might have rode on two donkeys at the same time that lies at the heart of the skeptic’s stated difficulty with Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem.
  7. This line of thinking is ridiculous.

He didn’t ride one donkey and bring the other with Him, as the writer may have done, but he just rode “them” towards Jerusalem, as if that was enough.

Rather than saying that he really rode one horse home, he was only conveying to his wife that the second horse ran alongside or behind him.

Possibly, the colt found the joyous parade that began on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives at the cities of Bethphage and Bethany (about 134 miles from Jerusalem—Pfeiffer, 1979, p.

Zechariah predicted that Jesus would ride on a colt (9:9), which was fulfilled by Jesus himself.

Maybe the most plausible response to the issue, “How could Jesus sit ‘on them’ (donkeys) during His march to Jerusalem?” is to consider the possibility that the second “them” in Matthew 21:7 isn’t actually referring to the donkeys at all.

Robertson, the second “them” (Greek v) alludes to the clothes that the disciples threw on top of the animals.

Skeptics are adamant in their refusal to accept such an interpretation.

As a result of this and other synoptic narratives (in which Jesus is claimed to have sat atop “it”—the colt), critics like as John Kesler (2003) have concluded that Matthew, like Mark and Luke, must have meant that Jesus sat upon the donkeys, and not merely the disciples’ garments (which wereonthe donkeys).

The disciples put their clothing on the donkey, according to Mark and Luke, while Matthew’s word sequence reads: “they put on the clothes of the donkey.” The American Standard Version (as well as the King James Version, the Revised Standard Version, and the New American Standard Bible) is more literal in its translation of this passage than the New King James Version.

  1. (Matthew 21:7, ASV; cf.
  2. As a result, it’s possible that Matthew meant for his readers to interpret the phrase “onthem” (on them) to refer to the donkeys and not the clothing on which Jesus was sitting.
  3. One of the essential concepts of practically every research or inquiry is the concept of “innocent unless proven guilty.” This notion may be applied to almost any situation.
  4. This technique has been acceptable throughout literary history, and it continues to be accepted now in the majority of literary settings.
  5. As long as we think that the Bible is innocent unless proven guilty, every plausible response should be sufficient to disprove the allegation of mistake.

Whenever a person is studying the Bible and comes across passages that appear to be contradictory at first glance (such as the verses discussed in this article—Matthew 21:1-9, Mark 11:1-11, and Luke 19:29-38), he or she does not necessarily have to pinpoint the exact solution in order to demonstrate the truthfulness of the passages.

  1. This is the basis by which we conduct ourselves in the courts, in our treatment of numerous historical literature, and in ordinary life circumstances.
  2. Finally, in order to ensure that no claim against the passages examined in this essay goes unanswered, one more point must be stated.
  3. 165-166), although Jesus and His disciples have been accused of stealing the donkeys used in the procession to Jerusalem, the text makes no mention of such larceny.
  4. However, because the donkeys’ owners were unaware of the disciples’ identities, it was necessary to inform the owners of what Jesus had spoken to them on their behalf.
  5. Luke 19:32-35).
  6. On this particular incident, as well as any other, Jesus did not promote theft (Matthew 19:18; 1 Peter 2:22; cf.
  7. Remember that we are not given all of the details in the tale—the Bible is not required to tell us every detail of every incident that takes place in the account.

It’s possible that “even the planet itself would not be able to contain the volumes that would be published” if that were to happen (John 21:25).

REFERENCES

Dan Barker’s book, Losing Faith in Faith—From Preacher to Atheist, was published in 1992. (Madison, WI: Freedom from Religion Foundation). “Bible Contradictions,”Capella’s Guide to Atheism, URL:Kesler, John (2003), “Jesus Had Two Asses,”, URL:Pfeiffer, Charles (1979),Baker’s Bible Atlas(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House), revised edition. “Bible Contradictions,”Capella’s Guide to Atheism, URL:Kesler, John (2003), “Jesus Had Two Asses,”, URL A.T. Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament was published in 1930.

In Curt van den Heuvel’s 2003 article, “Matthew Misunderstood an Old Testament Prophecy,” New Testament Problems, URL:Published on May 26, 2004, van den Heuvel argues that Matthew misunderstood a prophecy from the Old Testament.

Prerequisites for Reproduction

Why a Donkey?

So, what exactly is the big deal with the donkey? What was Jesus’ motivation for riding a donkey into Jerusalem? What is it about this deed that makes it such a revered event for Christians on Palm Sunday? The triumphant entry is the term used to describe it. The scene of Jesus’ arrival into the city of Jerusalem evoked a sense of impending significance, as though something significant was about to take place. The entry was meticulously rehearsed and arranged by Jesus himself, down to the smallest detail.

When they arrived, they were told to “untie them and bring them to me.” If someone says anything to you, you are to respond by saying, “The Lord requires them, and he will send them immediately.” 2 and 3 (Matthew 21:2–3) Surprisingly, the disciples appear to have no reservations about following these directions.

  • “Doesn’t this seem a little strange?” you might wonder.
  • We who have heard the narrative expect Jesus to be a great leader who will provide hope and salvation to everyone who follow him.
  • Donkeys are used to transport people into Jerusalem on a regular basis.
  • They served as the primary mode of transportation in the ancient world.
  • It says, “Rejoice much, O daughter of Zion!” in the Hebrew.
  • Behold, your king is on his way to you; he is just and has redemption; he is modest and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey, and he is coming to you (Zechariah 9:9).
  • A donkey and her foal will be used to transport the Messiah into Jerusalem when he arrives to usher in the period of restoration, salvation, and peace, according to the prophesy of Ezekiel.

However, if we go back to the original prophesy, we will have a better idea of why the donkey was chosen as a mode of transportation rather than another.

As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will liberate your slaves from the pit of sand and water.

According to the donkey, the Messiah will come as an instrument of peace and restoration rather than as an instrument of war and bloodshed, as is often believed.

A large procession would precede him, with battalions of men with swords and spears, as well as chariots and war horses.

Despite the passage of time, the expression “hero riding in on a white horse” to save the day or rescue the downtrodden is still used.

Here, we witness the mystery and paradox that Jesus purposefully created via his acts and words.

The only way to Jesus’ redemption is via humility and shame.

The event took place in broad daylight and was quite dramatic.

A blessing is upon him who comes in the name of the Lord!

When the commotion was noticed, those who were awakened inquired of others in the crowd, “Who is this?” A large number of people would say, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee,” and the audience would applaud (Matthew 21:10-11).

“Can you tell me who this is?” A world where the powerful and rich are marveled at and celebrated is what we live in.

As we begin Holy Week, remember to keep your heart modest.

Jesus would be elevated to the position of lord over your life. Submit your self-importance to the Servant King. Stroll with Jesus along the path of the cross, adopt his perspective, embody his character, and live his life in the process. Truly greatness is found on a route of humble beginnings.

Lowly and Riding on a Donkey?

  • So, what exactly is the big deal with the donkey here? Why did Jesus travel to Jerusalem on a donkey? What is it about this deed that makes it such a revered event on Palm Sunday for Christians? The triumphant entrance is the term used to describe this process of entering a building. A certain sense of foreboding pervaded the scene of Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem, as though something monumental was about to take place. It was Jesus himself who orchestrated and coordinated the intricate intricacies of the arrival. To get to a certain spot where they would find a donkey and her colt, the disciples were given specific directions. They were told to “untie them and bring them to me.” They did as directed. Anyone who speaks to you will be told that the Lord requires them and that he will dispatch those who are needed immediately. 2 and 3 (Matthew 21:2-3) Strangely enough, these instructions appear to be accepted without inquiry by the followers. “Now, why are we doing all of this?” no one asks Jesus. What do you think? Doesn’t this appear to be a little odd?” According to Matthew, the author of the Gospel, the reader who hears the account told will be more than a little perplexed. Matthew anticipated this. It is our expectation that Jesus will be a great leader, who will provide hope and redemption to all who have heard the tale. Despite this, the spectacle of a human riding on a donkey appears to be a little anticlimactic, and to put it frankly, quite ordinary. On a regular basis, people ride donkeys into Jerusalem to get to work. In this case, they were agricultural animals used as a means of transportation. They served as the ancient world’s workhorse vehicles. It is, however, the fulfillment of an old prophesy that offers the interpretative key to understanding Jesus’ instructions and acts, and it is this fulfillment that gives the donkey its importance. ‘Rejoice exceedingly, O daughter of Zion!’ it says. O daughter of Jerusalem, raise your voice in triumph. You will see that your king is riding into town on a donkey colt, the foal of a donkey. He is righteous and has redemption in his heart
  • He is modest and rides on the back of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). When it comes to Jesus’ deeds, Matthew, the gospel writer, sees them as fulfillment of a prophecy given by the prophet Zechariah about coming of the regal Messianic ruler to Jerusalem, the capital city of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. A donkey and her colt will be used to transport the Messiah into Jerusalem when he arrives to usher in the period of restoration, redemption, and peace, according to the prophesy of Ezekiel 37:1. The complete passage from Zechariah is not quoted by Matthew. However, if we go back to the original prophesy, we will have a better idea of why the donkey was chosen as a mode of transportation rather than any other mode. I will take off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem
  • And the battle bow will be cut off, and he will declare peace to the nations
  • And his authority will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth, as the Lord has promised. And as for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will release your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Bring your fortress back to life, O prisoners of hope
  • Now I vow that I will return to you double what you have been denied (Zechariah 9:10-12). Rather than as a tool of war and bloodshed, the donkey represents the fact that the Messiah will come to usher in a time of peace and restoration. Upon entering a city triumphantly, a Roman ruler would ride in in his chariot, which was drawn by a ferocious war horse. With battalions of men wielding swords and spears, as well as cavalry and war horses, his procession would be long and imposing. Among the prizes of war, slaves and women seized in humiliation and defeat, as well as a plethora of valuables, would be sent in his train. Despite the passage of time, the expression “hero riding in on a white horse” to save the day or liberate the downtrodden is still in common usage. To redeem the world, Jesus went into town on a donkey. We can see here the mystery and paradox that Jesus purposefully created via his acts and teachings: It was true that Jesus would be riding into the city on a beast of burden, enthroned on the applause of a large crowd of admirers. Humility and shame are required for Jesus’ salvation to be possible. What remains to be seen is whether or not the audiences realize how low he is willing to stoop to their level. Action was taken in broad daylight in front of a large number of people. Hosanna to the Son of David!” says the congregation. Whoever enters in the name of the Lord is blessed! It is Hosanna in the highest possible degree! (See Matthew 21:9 for further information.) As described in the account, “the entire city was enraged.” When the activity was noticed, those who were awakened asked other members of the gathering, “Who is this?” A large number of people would say, “This is the prophet Jesus of Nazareth of Galilee,” and the audience would applaud (Matthew 21:10-11). It is up to us to decide how to respond to this question! “Does anyone know who this is?” says the narrator. A world where the powerful and rich are marveled at and celebrated exists. In fact, the monarch of the world enters our hearts and lives in a humble manner, rather than with a show of might or ostentation. Humility is required as we approach Holy Week. Lordship over your life would be given to Jesus. Accept the Servant King’s treatment of you as a prideful person. Stroll with Jesus along the path of the cross, adopt his perspective, embody his character, and live his life in your heart. Truly greatness is achieved via humility.
See also:  What Happened To Jesus Body
byRonny H. GrahamForerunner, “Prophecy Watch,” January-February 2015

2015-01-01As we quickly approach thePassoverseason, it may be helpful for us to consider the prophecy inZechariah 9:9, one whose fulfillment is recorded by all four gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The event they chronicled is called “The Triumphal Entry,” the ride ofJesus Christon a donkey into Jerusalem just before He was crucified. Here is Zechariah’s prophecy:Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!Behold, your King is coming to you;He is just and having salvation,Lowly and riding on a donkey,A colt, the foal of a donkey.Matthew witnessed Jesus doing just this and recorded what he saw:Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her.

  1. Loose them and bring them to Me.
  2. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.
  3. He writes, “Rejoice.
  4. Behold”!
  5. The scribes and Pharisees, well-versed in Scripture, undoubtedly knew this prophecy, but they failed miserably to make the proper connection.
  6. Mark and Luke both indicate that Christ rode the colt, adding that the colt had never before been ridden.
  7. To them, this was yet another fulfillment of an Old Testament sign that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
  8. How much planning and forethought didGodgive to this one seemingly insignificant detail?“Donkey” is a recent word, as the first known usage dates only to about 1785, and it probably originated as a description of the dun color of the animal’s hide.

A similar process occurred with the word “jackass,” which refers to a male donkey, but once it began to be used as negative slang, “donkey” was more acceptable.It is possible that the improper or negative connotation of the word “ass” has given many people a wrong perception of the actual animal.

  1. However, that is not the case.They are anything but stupid.
  2. It is said that they actually do not work their best unless they trust the one they are working for.
  3. They will actually lead the way without having to be guided.Another trait the donkey possesses is an acute predator-detection instinct.
  4. Having a keen sense of smell along with excellent hearing and the aforementioned exceptional eyesight, they are quick to sense predators and sound the alarm, baying wildly.

They have been known to kill foxes, coyotes, and even mountain lions with their sharp hooves and powerful kicks.The donkey has been perceived as a stubborn animal, but many experts believe that it is because the donkey has such a strong survival instinct that it is difficult to get them to do something they perceive to be dangerous.

It is praiseworthy to be stubbornly against going forward with an activity when doing so is spiritually dangerous!A Long History of UseResearchers estimate that the donkey was domesticated around 3000BC, well before the camel.

More recently, they were used in World War I to carry wounded soldiers, and even as recently as the war in Afghanistan, they were employed as pack animals.

According to theDictionary of Biblical Imagery,the riding of a donkey was a sign of royalty.

The donkey and the mule were a staple in the Near Eastern royal ceremonies as well.Many of the heroes of the Bible are mentioned in connection with donkeys.

Jacob’s sons rode donkeys.

David was a king, perhaps the greatest in Israel’s history, and he rode a donkey.

If this is true, then quite possibly Jesus’ first and last rides as a human were on a donkey!Incidentally, the wealthy in those days tried to breed a pure white donkey for themselves as an indication of their high social status.

They were able to produce a white donkey, but they were unable to breed out the gray spots.In the giving of the laws concerningSabbathobservance inExodus 23:12, God instructs that the donkey should be able to rest the same as the ox.

In the laws of consecrating the firstborn (Exodus 13:1-2, 11-13; 34:19-20), clean animals belonged to God, but the only unclean animal mentioned is the donkey.

In this instance as well, the donkey is the only unclean animal mentioned alongside the ox.Near the end of their journey in the wilderness, the Israelites went to war against the Midianites (Numbers 31).

Again, the only unclean animal listed alongside the clean animals was the donkey, and God provided His people 61,000 of them!

This was a well-considered part of God’s plan for a specific purpose.

This king is meek (prautes), peaceful, gentle.

A man riding on a donkey is not looking for war, and in Jesus’ case, He came instead to save, carried on perhaps the lowliest of animals.That Jesus chose a donkey that had never been ridden was yet another miraculous part of this prophecy.

But when the disciples brought the colt to Jesus, the colt immediately trusted Him and instinctively carried Him down the path into the city.

And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.

Unlike how the Bible refers to the donkey as animal of peaceful purposes, the horse’s only association is with war.

God’s purposes in the two comings are quite different.The Bible mentions many animals that we can learn spiritual lessons from, and the donkey is one that we do not think much about in our day.

Now that we understand them a little better, we can see that God made them part of His Word so we can understand ourselves a little better:» Do we trust our Master and work willingly and pleasantly for Him?» Do we conduct our lives inmeekness, gentleness, and peace?» Are we surefooted and know the path to our destination, or do we ignore the warnings signs and blunder into areas we should avoid, getting ourselves into trouble?» Do we guard and protect the sheep of God’s pasture, or do we ignore their plight—or worse, prey on them?Just like the donkey, we were unclean things living insin, but the Lamb of God sacrificed Himself so we could be redeemed and be God’s firstfruits!

We have to learn and display the characteristics of the lowly donkey before we are qualified to ride with Him the next time He comes: “And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean followed Him on white horses” (Revelation 19:14).© 2015 Church of the Great God PO Box 471846 Charlotte, NC28247-1846 (803) 802-7075

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