What is the main message of Matthew 21:1-11?

Matthew 21:1-11 recounts the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, an event that marks the beginning of the final week of His earthly ministry, often referred to as Passion Week. This passage is rich with symbolism, prophetic fulfillment, and theological significance. To fully grasp its main message, we must delve into its context, the actions and words of Jesus, and the reactions of the people.

Context and Setting

The passage begins with Jesus approaching Jerusalem, coming from Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. This geographical detail is significant because the Mount of Olives is often associated with messianic expectations (Zechariah 14:4). Jesus instructs two of His disciples to go into the village and bring back a donkey and its colt, fulfilling a specific prophecy from Zechariah 9:9:

"Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

This prophecy is crucial because it sets the tone for Jesus' entry. Unlike earthly kings who might enter a city on a warhorse, symbolizing power and conquest, Jesus chooses a donkey, symbolizing humility and peace. This action is a deliberate declaration of the kind of Messiah He is—one who brings peace, not war, and who fulfills God's promises in unexpected ways.

The Actions of Jesus

Jesus' choice to ride a donkey is not merely a fulfillment of prophecy but a profound statement about His kingship. In the ancient Near East, a donkey was an animal of peace, as opposed to a horse, which was an animal of war. By choosing a donkey, Jesus is making a clear statement that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36) and that His reign will be characterized by peace and humility.

Additionally, Jesus' instructions to His disciples to untie the donkey and bring it to Him also carry symbolic weight. The act of untying can be seen as a metaphor for liberation. Just as the donkey is untied and brought to Jesus, so too are we called to be freed from the bonds of sin and brought into the service of the King.

The Reactions of the People

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowds respond with great enthusiasm. They spread their cloaks on the road and cut branches from the trees to lay before Him. These actions are reminiscent of royal processions and are acts of homage and reverence. The crowds also shout:

"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Matthew 21:9)

The term "Hosanna" is a Hebrew expression meaning "Save, please!" or "Save now!" It had become a shout of praise and acclamation, and by calling Jesus the "Son of David," the crowd is acknowledging Him as the long-awaited Messiah and King. This moment is a public recognition of Jesus' messianic identity, albeit with a limited understanding of what His messiahship entails.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy

One of the main messages of this passage is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Matthew frequently highlights how Jesus fulfills the Scriptures, and this event is no exception. By riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus fulfills Zechariah 9:9, and the crowd's acclamations echo Psalm 118:25-26, a psalm associated with messianic expectation and deliverance.

This fulfillment of prophecy serves to authenticate Jesus' identity and mission. It reassures the reader that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah who comes in the name of the Lord to bring salvation. The accuracy and specificity of these fulfillments also underscore the divine orchestration of these events, pointing to God's sovereign plan of redemption.

The Symbolism of the Donkey

The choice of a donkey rather than a warhorse is laden with symbolic meaning. In ancient times, a king riding a donkey signified peace and humility, whereas a king on a warhorse signified military power and conquest. By riding a donkey, Jesus is making a profound statement about the nature of His kingdom. His is a kingdom of peace, not of violence; of humility, not of arrogance.

This symbolism is further enriched by the fact that the donkey was a common animal, accessible to the ordinary people, unlike a warhorse, which was associated with the elite and the powerful. Jesus' choice of a donkey underscores His identification with the common people and His mission to serve rather than to be served (Mark 10:45).

The Messianic Expectation

The crowd's reaction reveals their messianic expectations. They shout "Hosanna" and refer to Jesus as the "Son of David," a messianic title that links Jesus to the royal lineage of David. This expectation is rooted in the Jewish hope for a Messiah who would deliver them from Roman oppression and restore the kingdom of Israel.

However, Jesus' entry on a donkey subtly subverts these expectations. While the crowd anticipates a political liberator, Jesus comes as a spiritual savior. His mission is to bring about a different kind of deliverance—one that addresses the deeper issue of sin and estrangement from God. This tension between expectation and reality is a recurring theme in the Gospels and reaches its climax in the events of Passion Week.

Theological Implications

The triumphal entry has profound theological implications. It reveals the nature of Jesus' kingship and the character of His kingdom. Jesus is a king who comes in humility and peace, not in power and might. His kingdom is not about earthly dominance but about spiritual renewal and reconciliation with God.

Moreover, the triumphal entry sets the stage for the events of Passion Week. It marks the beginning of the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and foreshadows His sacrificial death on the cross. The same crowd that shouts "Hosanna" will later cry "Crucify Him!" (Matthew 27:22-23), highlighting the fickleness of human allegiance and the profound misunderstanding of Jesus' mission.

Conclusion

In summary, the main message of Matthew 21:1-11 is multifaceted. It underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, revealing Jesus as the promised Messiah who comes in humility and peace. It highlights the nature of His kingship and the character of His kingdom, which stands in stark contrast to worldly notions of power and authority. It also exposes the tension between messianic expectation and the reality of Jesus' mission, setting the stage for the redemptive events of Passion Week.

This passage invites us to reflect on our understanding of Jesus and His kingdom. Are we, like the crowd, caught up in our expectations of what Jesus should do for us, or are we willing to embrace the surprising and transformative nature of His mission? As we ponder these questions, may we join in the cry of "Hosanna," not just as a plea for deliverance, but as a declaration of praise for the King who comes in the name of the Lord to bring true and lasting salvation.