Mark 11:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For the Son of God, who shares equality with the Father and through whom all creation was established (John 1:3), His assumption of kingship over Israel is not an act of exaltation, but rather one of profound humility. It signifies a display of compassion rather than a manifestation of might.

However, the Lord could have easily opted for a quieter arrival if He had desired, whether entering Jerusalem discreetly alone or with His disciples, or even choosing to avoid Jerusalem altogether amid such peril. Instead, He deemed this entrance necessary, and it cannot be said that He merely capitalized on the situation as a mere happenstance. Rather, it was a continuation of His prior actions. There had been something similar in Jericho. He demonstrated the intentionality of this moment when, despite Bethany being close to Jerusalem, He instructed two of His disciples to go ahead of Him to the village of Bethphage, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, to secure a donkey and a colt for His use. The disciples spread their garments on the animals, and Jesus rode on the young donkey, which had never been employed for work. This choice aligned with the prophecy that heralded the Messiah’s entrance to Jerusalem, portraying Him as a gentle and peaceful king who had purposely chosen this creature as a symbol of peace rather than conflict (Zechariah 9:9-10). In this manner, He became visible to all, further amplifying the excitement among the crowds.

Rather than arriving at the capital of the Jewish kingdom in a majestic chariot pulled by horses, Jesus entered riding a humble donkey, adorned with the tattered robes of His impoverished disciples instead of luxurious attire. In this manner, as the Gospel writers Matthew and John note, the prophecy was realized, which declared, "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King comes to you, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a young donkey, the foal of a beast of burden.'"

Before significant festivals, throngs of worshipers from all around customarily processed into the holy city, expressing their joy in various ways. Christ, acknowledged by the masses as a prophet and a remarkable teacher, aimed for a similar entrance to highlight His glory for the final time. Up to that moment, He had usually walked into Jerusalem; now He desired to enter in the manner of His ancestor David, riding on a donkey. This gentle and useful creature was greatly valued in the East, as the Jews shared many historical associations with it, rendering it even more revered and cherished than the proud horses imported from Egypt. Its significance was further elevated in the eyes of the people due to the prophetic promise that the Messiah-King would arrive in this manner, as foretold in Zechariah 9:9. Thus, the Saviour's entry into the holy city served as the most powerful and definitive proclamation of His Messiahship.

Early on the morning of the ninth of Nisan, the Saviour departed from His peaceful and welcoming lodgings in Bethany. As was customary, He traveled on foot with His disciples towards Jerusalem. Descending into a small valley adorned with fig and olive trees, they approached the village of Bethphage, which was so proximate to Jerusalem that, according to rabbinical law, it was considered part of the city. During this time, secret disciples and followers of Christ resided in various locations. To facilitate His royal entry, He sent two of His disciples to a certain follower in Bethphage to retrieve a donkey. The disciples obediently executed His instructions, returning with both a donkey and a colt.