The entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, often referred to as the Triumphal Entry, is a significant event in the New Testament that fulfills Old Testament prophecy. This event is recorded in all four Gospels: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, and John 12:12-19. It marks the beginning of the Passion Week, leading to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

Old Testament Prophecy

The prophecy concerning the Messiah's entry into Jerusalem is found in Zechariah 9:9, which states: "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 the humility and peace of the Messiah, contrasting with the typical image of a conquering king on a warhorse.

Fulfillment in the New Testament

The fulfillment of this prophecy is detailed in the Gospel accounts. In Matthew 21:4-5 , it is written: "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."'" Here, Matthew explicitly connects Jesus' actions with the prophecy of Zechariah, emphasizing the deliberate fulfillment of the Messianic expectation.

The Event

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He instructed His disciples to find a donkey and her colt, as described in Matthew 21:2-3 : "Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." The disciples obeyed, and Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt, fulfilling the prophetic vision of a humble King.

The crowd's reaction further underscores the Messianic significance of the event. As Jesus entered the city, the people spread their cloaks on the road and cut branches from the trees, laying them before Him. They shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" and "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Matthew 21:9). These acclamations reflect the recognition of Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Son of David, who comes in the name of the Lord.

Significance

The Triumphal Entry is a profound moment that encapsulates the dual nature of Christ's mission. While He is the King, He comes in peace and humility, riding on a donkey rather than a warhorse. This act fulfills the Old Testament prophecy and sets the stage for the events of Holy Week, where Jesus' role as the suffering servant and sacrificial Lamb is further revealed.

The fulfillment of this prophecy is a testament to the divine orchestration of God's redemptive plan, as foretold by the prophets and realized in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.Matthew 21:1-5
And when they drew near to Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, to the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
... that he could form no conjecture respecting the person ... his glory; and that the
prophecies were fulfilled ... the Ethiopian eunuch had heard any thing about Christ. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xi the conversion of.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... This concludes the oracular utterances respecting Rome. ... After some other prophecies
we come to the mention of ... a testimony to the divinity of Christ, uttered by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Extracts No. vi.
... solicitous to have your doubts respecting divine revelation ... depend the validity of
the prophecies, the truth ... is written, and thus it behoveth Christ to suffer ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vi.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... that are above, then there is a similitude betwixt Christ's resurrection and the ...
out of the kingdom of this dark world, into the kingdom of his dear Son ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

part ii
... and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom ... what the final purpose
is for which Christ came upon earth, for which He gives us His divine Mysteries ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

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Prophecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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