Book of Zechariah · Chapter 9 of 14
17 verses · 7 video commentaries from 4 courses · Berean Standard Bible
1This is the burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach and Damascus its resting place—for the eyes of men and of all the tribes of Israel are upon the LORD—
2and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.
3Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.
4Behold, the Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.
5Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited.
6A mixed race will occupy Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
7I will remove the blood from their mouths and the abominations from between their teeth. Then they too will become a remnant for our God; they will become like a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.
8But I will camp around My house because of an army, because of those who march to and fro, and never again will an oppressor overrun My people, for now I keep watch with My own eyes.
9Rejoice 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.
10And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
11As for you, because of the blood of My covenant, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit.
12Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; even today I declare that I will restore to you double.
13For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man.
14Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord GOD will sound the ram’s horn and advance in the whirlwinds of the south.
15The LORD of Hosts will shield them. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and roar as with wine. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, drenched like the corners of the altar.
16On that day the LORD their God will save them as the flock of His people; for like jewels in a crown they will sparkle over His land.
17How lovely they will be, and how beautiful! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine, the young women.
Zech 9:9-10
A later oracle in Zechariah describes a king coming to Jerusalem, 'triumphant and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey.' This imagery contrasts with the warrior kings of the Greek period, harkening back to earlier, more humble leaders like the judges, and is later cited in the New Testament regarding Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.
Summarized by AI · Judaism Before Jesus · Lecture 2: Prophecy After the Exile · watch the clip
Zech 9:9
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, riding on a young donkey, is a deliberate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The crowd's acclamations, shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord," directly quote Psalm 118, while the imagery of a king riding a donkey into Jerusalem echoes Zechariah 9:9, subtly portraying Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Summarized by AI · The Genius of Mark: Jesus the Secret Messiah · Lecture 5: The Passion Narrative in Mark | Oddities at the End · watch the clip
Incidents like the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy, and the 'cleansing' of the Temple, where Jesus asserts authority over the temple, depict Jesus engaging in messianic or prophetic acts. These actions suggest a strong self-conception of his own importance and identity, which would have been publicly visible.
Summarized by AI · The Mysteries of the Synoptic Gospels: Discovering Matthew, Mark, and Luke · Lecture 13: Why is Jesus So Secretive in Mark? · watch the clip
In Matthew 21, Jesus enters Jerusalem on two animals, an ass and a colt, which differs from Mark, Luke, and John who mention one. This is often seen as Matthew over-literalizing a Hebrew poetic parallelism from Zechariah 9:9, where 'ass' and 'colt' refer to the same animal. However, it's argued that Zechariah 9:9 can be read to imply two animals (a mother and its foal), suggesting Matthew's reading might be more nuanced than a simple misunderstanding.
Summarized by AI · The Mysteries of the Synoptic Gospels: Discovering Matthew, Mark, and Luke · Lecture 14: Did Matthew Try to "Re-Judaize" Jesus? · watch the clip
Matthew's Gospel describes Jesus entering Jerusalem riding both a donkey and a colt, explicitly stating this was to fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. This presents a peculiar image, as it's physically improbable for one person to ride two animals simultaneously. The speaker suggests Matthew might have included both animals to ensure full compliance with the prophecy, which mentions both a donkey and its colt.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Did the Historical Jesus Shape the Gospels or Did the Gospels Shape Him? · watch the clip
Jesus' dramatic entry into Jerusalem, as described in the Gospels, fits a pattern of prophetic figures in the 1st century who reenacted biblical paradigms. By riding on a donkey and being hailed as the 'Son of David,' Jesus was seen by his followers as fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, which contributed to Roman suspicions and ultimately his crucifixion.
Summarized by AI · Judaism Before Jesus · Lecture 19: The Jewish Revolt · watch the clip
The Gospel of Matthew describes Jesus's dramatic entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and a colt, explicitly quoting Zechariah 9:9. This event fits the pattern of prophetic figures in the 1st century acting out biblical precedents, with the crowds shouting 'Hosanna to the Son of David,' suggesting a messianic claim that the Romans would have viewed as a challenge to their authority.
Summarized by AI · Judaism Before Jesus · Lecture 19: The Jewish Revolt · watch the clip