ProlepsisOpen in the graph →

Prophecy

The humble king riding on a colt (Zechariah 9:9)

Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a colt, welcomed by the crowd: artist’s impression by Gustave Doré (19th century).
Artist’s impression Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a colt, welcomed by the crowd: artist’s impression by Gustave Doré (19th century). — Gustave Doré, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

● Written before, according to historians

Written c. 520–480 BC according to tradition; c. 400–180 BC according to historians. Event: 30–33 AD.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. The prophet Zechariah, around 520–480 BC according to tradition (in the 4th–3rd centuries BC according to many scholars, but before 180 BC), announces the arrival in Jerusalem of a humble king, riding on a colt.

What happened. The four Gospels tell that Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt a few days before his crucifixion, in AD 30 or 33. Only the Gospels report this episode, and they themselves say that Jesus arranged it.

What is still debated. a man who knows the text can choose to act it out, and for Judaism this king, who is to rule “from sea to sea”, has not yet come.

Why it is striking

A king who enters on a colt rather than on a warhorse is unexpected, and the text comes before Jesus. Jewish tradition held it to be messianic; only the Gospels report the episode, which Jesus may have intended as a reference to the text.

Main objection (in French for now)

Accomplissement auto-réalisateur : selon les évangiles eux-mêmes, Jésus organise l’entrée et envoie chercher l’ânon (Mc 11:2). Un homme qui connaît Za 9:9 peut choisir de le mettre en scène ; cela montre une intention, pas une prédiction.

The text (World English Bible)

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zech 9:9

Sources