How does Matthew 21:4 fulfill Old Testament prophecy? Matthew 21:4–5 “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to the Daughter of Zion, “See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” ’ ” Immediate Context: The Triumphal Entry Matthew situates the prophecy during Jesus’ public entry into Jerusalem a few days before Passover. By deliberately arranging for the donkey and its colt (Matthew 21:2–3), Jesus stages a prophetic sign-act in front of the crowds who are chanting Psalm 118:25-26. Matthew’s fulfillment formula (“This took place to fulfill…”) alerts the reader that the action is a direct realization of specific messianic promises. Primary Old Testament Source: Zechariah 9:9 Zechariah, written c. 520 BC and preserved essentially unchanged (see 4QXIIᵍ from the Dead Sea Scrolls, 1st c. BC), foretells Israel’s King arriving “humble and riding on a donkey.” The Hebrew text uses poetic parallelism (“on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”) to describe one animal; Matthew retains the full phraseology to show a verbatim fulfillment. Secondary Echo: Isaiah 62:11 Matthew’s opening line—“Say to the Daughter of Zion”—mirrors Isaiah 62:11. Zechariah begins with “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion,” while Isaiah uses “Say.” By fusing the two verses, Matthew presents a composite prophecy: Yahweh declares deliverance (Isaiah 62) and identifies the gentle, righteous King (Zechariah 9). Royal and Cultural Background Riding a donkey signified peaceful enthronement (Judges 5:10; 1 Kings 1:33-38). Ancient Near Eastern reliefs confirm that kings used mules for civic appearances while warhorses marked conquest. Jesus thus enters not as a militant zealot but as the Prince of Peace (cf. Zechariah 9:10, which immediately promises disarmament). Typology: The Son of David Solomon rode King David’s own mule to be crowned (1 Kings 1:44-45). By reenacting the scene, Jesus publicly claims Davidic kingship. Genesis 49:10-11 also links Judah’s ruler with a donkey’s colt—a prophecy rabbinic sources (Tg. Pseudo-Jonathan) already read messianically. Second-Temple Jewish Expectation Targum Zechariah and Pesikta de-Rav Kahana interpret Zechariah 9:9 messianically. Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 98a contrasts Messiah “on a donkey” when Israel is unworthy with “on the clouds” when worthy. Matthew shows that, despite Rome’s occupation and Israel’s spiritual need, the promised King has arrived exactly as foretold. Alleged Contradiction: One Animal or Two? Critics cite differences among the Gospels. Hebrew parallelism treats “donkey…colt” as one beast; Matthew mentions both, perhaps because two were actually brought (21:2). Jesus sat on coats that covered the colt (v. 7), not on both animals simultaneously. Narrative perspective, not error, explains the variation. Archaeological Corroborations Donkey stables unearthed at Megiddo (10th c. BC) and Tel-Haror (8th c. BC) demonstrate their long-standing royal and cultic use. A 1st-century CE mosaic in Sepphoris depicts a noble figure on a donkey, illustrating the continued cultural association with peaceful dignity at the very time of Jesus. Theological Significance 1. Kingship: Jesus is the promised Davidic ruler (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 2). 2. Humility: He conquers by self-sacrifice, not by force (Philippians 2:6-8). 3. Inauguration of Peace: Zechariah 9:10 follows the donkey prophecy with worldwide peace—foreshadowed in Jesus’ cross and to be completed at His return. Practical Application for the Reader The fulfilled prophecy invites trust in Scripture’s unity, welcomes skeptics to examine the evidence, and calls all to receive the gentle King who brings salvation (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:9). The same Messiah who exactly fulfilled ancient words promises eternal life to those who repent and believe (John 3:16). Answer in One Line Matthew 21:4 fulfills Old Testament prophecy by showing Jesus’ deliberate, historically verifiable enactment of Zechariah 9:9 (echoing Isaiah 62:11), thereby revealing Him as the humble, righteous, Davidic King whose peaceful rule the prophets foretold. |
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