Yes—Jesus' donkey ride was the predicted arrival of Israel's King, coming in meekness rather than military power.
Zechariah 9:9 had announced that Zion's King would come lowly, riding upon an ass and the colt. Les Feldick explains that Jesus' triumphal entry was therefore not an accident but a deliberate presentation of Himself as Israel's King—yet as a lowly servant, not a Roman-style conqueror. The Jews' expectation of a white steed caused them to stumble over this fulfillment.
Zechariah 9:9 — This is the Old Testament prophecy Les says was fulfilled when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey's colt.
Zechariah 9:9 calls Zion and Jerusalem to rejoice because their King is coming: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” The verse described the coming King not as a warrior on a warhorse, but as lowly and riding on the colt of a donkey. The very next verse, Zechariah 9:10, continues the prophecy: “And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.” This points to a future time of peace and worldwide dominion.
Les teaches that Jesus presented Himself as Israel's King during His earthly ministry, but not in the way the Jews expected. Instead of coming on a white steed like a Roman emperor or conquering general, Jesus came as a lowly servant, riding on the foal of an ass. This was a direct fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, which happened on what believers call Triumphal Sunday. Les points out that this lowly entrance threw the Jews a curve. They were looking for a conquering hero on a big prancing white horse, but Jesus came on a donkey—and not even a grown one. The offer of the Kingdom was valid, but Israel would not believe. They wanted a ruling King, but they needed a redeeming Savior first. Their response, “Does anything good come out of Nazareth?” reflected how the donkey ride contradicted their expectations.
Zechariah 9:9 had already declared that the King would come lowly, riding on the colt of a donkey. Les explains that the Jews expected a conquering hero on a big white prancing horse, like a Roman general or emperor. Instead, Jesus came on the colt of a donkey—the lowliest of arrivals—showing Him as a servant King, not a military conqueror.
Les says the response was often, “Does anything good come out of Nazareth?” A king coming in on the colt of a donkey threw them. They wanted the King and the Kingdom, but they would not reckon with the sin problem first. They needed a redeeming Savior, not just a ruling King. The offer was valid, but the people rejected it in unbelief.
Les points out a break between Zechariah 9:9 and 9:10. Verse 9 was fulfilled at Jesus' first advent when He rode into Jerusalem on the young donkey. Verse 10, which speaks of cutting off chariots and battle bows, bringing peace to the heathen, and dominion from sea to sea, is still future and belongs to the coming Kingdom.
Why Two Genealogies of Jesus? Matthew vs Luke Explained
have a child whose blood was divine, not sinful, not with an Adamic nature in it, because there was no earthly father. And remember, we've pointed out way back there, I think in Genesis 3, that the circulatory or the blood system of every fetus born of a woman comes from the man and not from the mother.
Servant King on a Foal
Les contrasts Jesus presenting Himself as King with His servant character, noting He came lowly on the foal of an ass rather than as a royal warrior, which confused Jewish expectations.
Triumphal Sunday Fulfillment
Les defines the event as happening on Triumphal Sunday when Jesus rode in on the little young donkey, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9.
Rejected Because of the Donkey
Les says the donkey entrance 'threw them a curve'; still, the valid offer went out that Jesus was their King, but they would not have Him.
White Steed Expectation
Les explains Israel expected a conquering hero on a big white steed, but Jesus came on a donkey—even a young one—which 'blew their mind'; they needed a Savior before a King.
Zechariah 9 Break
Les reads Zechariah 9:9-10 and shows that verse 9 was fulfilled at the first advent, while verse 10 about the Kingdom is still future.
Why the First Christians Were NOT in Jerusalem (Acts 11)
They were to stay and present this to the nation of Israel, in hopes that Israel would still accept their King, and Christ could have come and set up the Kingdom. And then they understood, yes, once they had the King and the Kingdom, they knew the Old Testament prophecies. I showed it to the class again last night, Zechariah chapter 8, "...
Rejected Again in Unbelief
Les ties the donkey colt to Israel's continued rejection, showing they asked if anything good could come from Nazareth and rejected the King in unbelief.
Zechariah 9:9: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
This is the exact prophecy Les says was fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem on the donkey's colt.
Zechariah 9:10: And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
Les cites this verse as the still-future Kingdom fulfillment connected to the same prophecy.
It is found in Zechariah 9:9, which says Zion's King comes lowly, riding upon an ass and upon the colt the foal of an ass. Les Feldick teaches that Jesus fulfilled this verse when He entered Jerusalem on Triumphal Sunday.
Les explains that the Jews expected a conquering hero on a big white prancing horse like a Roman emperor. Instead, Jesus came on a young donkey, which threw them a curve and contradicted their military expectations of the Messiah.
Watch the Teaching: Why Two Genealogies of Jesus? Matthew vs Luke Explained