TRV
John 12:14
Bible Versions
And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
After finding a donkey colt, Yeshua mounted it, just as the Tanakh says —
Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written:
And Jesus, having found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
-
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. -
Matthew 21:1
¶ And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, -
Matthew 21:7
And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set [him] thereon. -
Mark 11:1
¶ And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, -
Mark 11:7
And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. -
Luke 19:29
And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called [the mount] of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, -
Luke 19:35
And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
John 12:14 describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' public ministry: His entrance into Jerusalem, an event commonly known as the Triumphal Entry. This verse specifically highlights Jesus' deliberate action of finding and riding a young donkey, emphasizing its significance as a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
Context
This verse occurs shortly before Jesus' crucifixion, during what is often called Passion Week. Just days before, Jesus had performed the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43), an event that drew immense crowds and solidified both His popularity among the people and the animosity of the religious leaders. The multitude, having heard of Lazarus, came out to greet Jesus, waving palm branches and shouting praises, recognizing Him as the King of Israel. This act of riding a donkey, as opposed to a warhorse, was a deliberate and public declaration of His messianic identity, contrasting with worldly expectations of a conquering king.
Key Themes
Prophetic Fulfillment
The explicit reference "as it is written" points directly to the prophecy found in 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 prophecy, written centuries before, foretold the manner of the Messiah's arrival—not as a warrior on a charger, but as a humble king of peace. John's Gospel, along with the Synoptics (Matthew 21:5, Mark 11:7, Luke 19:35), highlights this precise fulfillment, validating Jesus' claims and the veracity of God's Word.
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word used for "young ass" is onarion (ὀνάριον), a diminutive form of onos (ass). This emphasizes that it was a young, probably unbroken animal, perhaps never ridden before. This detail, often mentioned in parallel accounts, signifies its suitability for a sacred purpose, as animals used for holy purposes were typically unblemished and previously unused. This further underscores the purity and sacred nature of Jesus' entry.
Practical Application
John 12:14 reminds us of several enduring truths. First, it powerfully demonstrates the reliability of God's prophetic Word; every detail concerning the Messiah was precisely fulfilled in Jesus. Second, it challenges our perceptions of true power and leadership. Jesus, the King of Kings, embodies humility and peace, inviting us to follow His example rather than pursuing worldly accolades. Finally, it calls us to acknowledge Jesus as the promised Messiah and sovereign King, whose rule is not imposed by force but offered through grace and truth.