Eight visions, messianic prophecies — the Branch and the King on a donkey
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.
Zechariah 9:9Zechariah is the longest and most apocalyptic of the Minor Prophets. Like Haggai, he prophesies during the rebuilding of the temple (520-518 BC). But where Haggai focuses on immediate obedience, Zechariah provides visions of the distant future: the Messiah, the nations judged, Jerusalem restored, and the LORD reigning as King. The book divides cleanly into two sections: chapters 1-8 (eight night visions and messages about the temple) and chapters 9-14 (two oracles about the Messiah and the final days).
The eight visions (chapters 1-6) are highly symbolic: horsemen among the myrtle trees, four horns and four craftsmen, a man with a measuring line, Joshua the high priest cleansed, a golden lampstand with two olive trees, a flying scroll, a woman in a basket, and four chariots. The visions deal with Israel's restoration, the cleansing of the priesthood, and the coming of 'the Branch.' Chapters 7-8 address fasting and the future glory of Jerusalem. Chapters 9-14 are filled with messianic prophecies: the King on a donkey (9:9), thirty pieces of silver (11:12-13), they shall look on him whom they pierced (12:10), the fountain opened for sin (13:1), and the LORD standing on the Mount of Olives (14:4).
Zechariah is quoted more frequently in the Passion narratives than any other Old Testament book except Psalms and Isaiah. Matthew quotes Zechariah 9:9 when Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. Matthew quotes Zechariah 11:12-13 when Judas throws the thirty pieces of silver into the temple. John quotes Zechariah 12:10 when the soldiers pierce Christ's side. The book is a treasure trove of messianic prophecy, pointing unmistakably to Jesus.
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'And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.' This is one of the most specific prophecies in the Old Testament. Judas betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). When Judas repents, he throws the money into the temple (Matthew 27:5). The priests use it to buy the potter's field (Matthew 27:7). Zechariah saw it all 500 years in advance: the exact price, the rejection, the temple, the potter.
'And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son.' This verse is quoted in John 19:37 after the soldier pierces Jesus' side with a spear. The speaker is the LORD ('they shall look upon me'), yet the one pierced is distinct ('mourn for him'). This is a hint of the Trinity. The mourning is genuine repentance. When Israel sees the Messiah they rejected, they will mourn. This awaits the second coming (Romans 11:26).
'And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley.' This is a prophecy of the second coming. Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:11-12). The angels told the disciples he would return the same way. When he does, the mountain will split, and he will establish his kingdom. 'And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one' (14:9). The first coming was in humility. The second will be in glory.
'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 was fulfilled on Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:4-5, John 12:14-15). Kings rode horses in war and donkeys in peace. The Messiah comes as a king, but a humble one. He brings salvation, not conquest. His weapon is not a sword but his own sacrifice. The image of the conquering king on a warhorse comes later (Revelation 19). First comes the suffering servant on a donkey.