What happensPermalink
Zechariah announces God’s judgment against Israel’s surrounding enemies, though a remnant will join God’s people. Zion should rejoice because her king is coming, righteous, victorious, and humble, riding on a donkey. God will remove the weapons of war, and the king will proclaim peace to the nations and rule to the ends of the earth. Because of His covenant, God will free His prisoners and restore His people. He will raise Zion against Greece, appear over His people as a Divine Warrior, and protect and save them.
Why it mattersPermalink
God will defeat the powers threatening His people, yet His promised king brings a kingdom characterized by peace rather than military strength. Matthew (21:4–5) and John (12:14–15) identify Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem with this humble king. The chapter then pictures the Lord Himself fighting for Zion against Greek power, emphasizing that Israel’s ultimate victory and restoration come from God.
Key versePermalink
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.