From the king of the Greeks to the king of the Jews

Up to this point, Zechariah has been prophesying the coming of the king of Greece (Alexander), but beginning with today’s passage, the subject suddenly changes, and he begins to prophesy the coming of the King of the Jews. In verse 9, he prophesies the Messiah’s First Coming, and in verse 10, the Messiah’s Second Coming. The First and Second Comings appearing side by side like this is not unusual in Messianic prophecy. Today, let us study the Messiah’s First Coming in verse 9.

Rejoice greatly

It says, “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (v 9). (1) “Rejoice greatly” means that there is no need to fear. The reason is that not the king of the Greeks, but the King of the Jews (“your king”) is coming. (2) Three characteristics of this King are given. (a) “Righteous.” This is a characteristic always attributed to the Messiah (ref. Isa. 45:21; 53:11; Jer. 23:5-6). (b) “Endowed with salvation.” The king of the Greeks comes to conquer, but the King of the Jews comes to save. That salvation is not merely a declaration of forgiveness, but forgiveness granted to us through the sacrifice of Himself. Without sacrifice, He could not be called a righteous King. (c) “Humble.” This word means “afflicted” or “oppressed.” The Messiah comes as the suffering servant. “For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we would look at Him, nor an appearance that we would take pleasure in Him” (Isa. 53:2). These three characteristics are the exact opposite of the character of the king of the Greeks. The Messiah comes riding on a “foal of a donkey” on which no one has yet ridden. In those days, people of noble status and priests rode donkeys. Warriors rode horses. The fact that Jesus rode on a foal of a donkey means that He came as the Prince of Peace. This prophecy was fulfilled in Matt. 21:1-11. At that time, the people cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9). Yet one week later, Jesus was handed over to the cross. No matter how many people reject Jesus, as for us, let us receive Him and praise Him.