Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Prophecies Respecting: Christ to Enter, As King

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Topical Encyclopedia

Jerusalem holds a central place in biblical prophecy, particularly concerning the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as King. The prophetic anticipation of Christ's entry into Jerusalem is a significant theme in the Old Testament, fulfilled in the New Testament, and is pivotal in understanding the messianic expectations of the Jewish people and the fulfillment of these expectations in the person of Jesus.

Old Testament Prophecies

The prophecy most directly associated with Christ's entry into Jerusalem is found in the book of Zechariah. Zechariah 9:9 declares: "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This prophecy highlights several key aspects of the Messiah's entry: His righteousness, His victory, His humility, and the specific manner of His arrival—riding on a donkey.

The imagery of a king riding on a donkey, rather than a warhorse, signifies a peaceful mission rather than a military conquest. This aligns with the messianic expectation of a ruler who would bring peace and salvation, contrasting with the political and military leaders of the time.

New Testament Fulfillment

The fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy is recorded in the Gospels, where Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem is described. In Matthew 21:1-11 , Jesus instructs His disciples to find a donkey and a colt, fulfilling the prophecy: "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."'" (Matthew 21:4-5).

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowds respond by spreading their cloaks and branches on the road, shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" and "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Matthew 21:9). This acclamation acknowledges Jesus as the promised King, the Son of David, and fulfills the messianic hopes rooted in the Old Testament.

Significance in Messianic Expectation

The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as King is not merely a historical event but a profound theological moment that encapsulates the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. It signifies the arrival of the Messiah who embodies both the suffering servant and the conquering King. The manner of His entry—humble and peaceful—redefines the nature of His kingship, emphasizing spiritual salvation over political liberation.

The prophetic vision of Christ's entry into Jerusalem as King underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament. It affirms Jesus as the legitimate heir to David's throne, fulfilling the covenant promises made to David and the patriarchs. This event, celebrated in the Christian tradition as Palm Sunday, remains a testament to the faithfulness of God in bringing His promises to fruition through Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes to you: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on an ass, and on a colt the foal of an ass.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

It is a Ground for Thanksgiving that During the Last Three or Four ...
... Doubtless, there are many particulars respecting this and ... outline of Gentile dominion
over Jerusalem, and this ... frequently the case in the prophecies of Isaiah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/it is a ground for.htm

The Life of Christ.
... The silence of all the evangelists respecting matters of which ... and how He was described
in the prophecies. ... a village a few furlongs from Jerusalem, "he lifted ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the life of.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... upon several interesting critical inquiries respecting the component ... not one of the
minor prophecies that has ... ready to forgive and save Nineveh than Jerusalem. ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem," they probably ... Jews, unless their erroneous
ideas respecting the Messiah ... only to show, that the prophecies, which he ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.htm

Jews.
... believe, with a perfect faith, the prophecies of Moses ... potentates, from the destruction
of Jerusalem by the ... and agreed to various articles respecting the Mosaic ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/jews.htm

That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... again, makes a similar revelation respecting Jerusalem, saying, "The ... If, then, the
prophecies delivered concerning Judea, and Jerusalem, and Judah ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

Subject Index
... Isaiah, his prophecy respecting the virgin conceiving, vindicated ... applied to Christ,
[1293]262. ... Jerusalem, the destruction of, derogates nothing from the ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... The hundreds of prophecies which are found in the Old ... raise an argument at this point
respecting the believer's ... them that while they were at Jerusalem He would ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... minute description of a New Jerusalem, with its ... In the classes of prophecies that
have been ... There are two questions, especially, respecting which interpreters ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth
... founded on the promises of God respecting the seed ... The sense of many prophecies
concerning MESSIAH, though misapplied ... of the living God, the Jerusalem which is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon iii the shaking of.htm