Matthew 21:5

Tell ye. Note that Jesus’ directions to the two disciples closed with v. 3. In vs. 4 and 5 Matthew refers to the Triumphal Entry as the fulfillment of certain specific OT prophecies.

Daughter of Sion. A Hebraism for the inhabitants of the city of Jerusalem (see on Ps. 9:14; Isa. 1:8).

Thy King cometh. Jesus was following the custom of a royal entry into the city, as in the days of old (see DA 570). His hour had come, and for the first time He presented Himself to Israel as her rightful King, the One who was to sit upon the throne of David (see on 2 Sam. 7:12, 13; Matt. 1:1; Acts 2:30). Jesus later acknowledged the title “King of the Jews” (Luke 23:3; John 18:33, 34, 37), but hastened to add, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). But the Jewish leaders refused to accept Him as their King (see on John 19:14, 15). Jesus was not now appearing in His role as King of the kingdom of glory (see Matt. 25:31), but as King of the spiritual kingdom of divine grace (see on chs. 3:2; 4:17; 5:2). Jesus knew that this episode in His life mission would inevitably lead to the cross, yet went through with it steadfastly and purposefully. It was necessary that the eyes of all men be turned toward Him in the closing days of His life, that all might understand, if they would, the significance of His mission to earth.

Sacred memories and visions of future glory must have pressed upon His mind as Christ traversed the way that led upward to the crest of the Mount of Olives and down the father side into Jerusalem. The holy Shekinah, in taking its departure from the first Temple shortly before its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, had paused briefly at the crest of the mountain (see DA 829; see on Eze. 11:23). The Triumphal Entry was “the dim foreshadowing” of Jesus’ return in the clouds of heaven (see DA 580). It was from the eastern slope of the mountain that Jesus Himself, nearly two months later, was to ascend to heaven (see DA 829, 830). When, at the close of the millennium, He returns to earth, accompanied by the saints and the Holy City, He will descend upon the Mount of Olives (see GC 662, 663; see on Zech. 14:4). The Holy City then settles down where old Jerusalem once stood, and Christ, the saints, and angels enter into the city (see Rev. 21:2, 10; GC 663).

And a colt. From the English translation it appears that Jesus rode both animals. However, the Greek may more properly be translated, “upon an ass, even a colt.”