Matthew 21:5
Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
Original Language Analysis
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυγατρὶ
the daughter
G2364
θυγατρὶ
the daughter
Strong's:
G2364
Word #:
3 of 19
a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)
Σιών·
of Sion
G4622
Σιών·
of Sion
Strong's:
G4622
Word #:
4 of 19
sion (i.e., tsijon), a hill of jerusalem; figuratively, the church (militant or triumphant)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔρχεταί
cometh
G2064
ἔρχεταί
cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
9 of 19
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπιβεβηκὼς
sitting
G1910
ἐπιβεβηκὼς
sitting
Strong's:
G1910
Word #:
13 of 19
to walk upon, i.e., mount, ascend, embark, arrive
ἐπὶ
upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Isaiah 62:11Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.Genesis 49:10The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.Isaiah 12:6Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.Isaiah 40:9O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!Hosea 1:7But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.Ezekiel 34:24And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.Ezekiel 37:24And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.Matthew 11:29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.Matthew 2:6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.Matthew 2:2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Historical Context
Zechariah 9:9 (c. 520 BC) prophesied Messiah's humble entry contrasting with verse 10's future conquering reign. Jesus' first coming fulfilled the humble entry; His second coming will fulfill the conquering king. The triumphal entry occurred Sunday before crucifixion (Passion Week), forcing Jerusalem's response to His messianic claim.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' meekness challenge worldly concepts of power and kingship?
- What does riding a donkey teach about the nature of Christ's kingdom?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The quotation 'Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass' from Zechariah 9:9 presents the paradox of the king's arrival. 'Meek' (Greek: praus) means gentle, humble, not asserting rights—contrasting with expected military conqueror. The donkey symbolizes peace (horses signified war). Jesus deliberately fulfills prophecy, publicly claiming messianic identity while redefining messianic expectations—a suffering servant-king, not political liberator.