Why Did Jesus Ride a Donkey?

A Different Kind of King

As Lord Jesus came closer to Jerusalem, something extraordinary happened. The Bible says:

“As He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’”Luke 19:37–38 (NKJV)

One question that stands out in the minds of many today is: Why did Jesus ride a donkey?

Lord Jesus did not choose the donkey by accident. He was fulfilling a prophecy written hundreds of years earlier:

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)

By riding a donkey, Jesus openly declared that He was the promised King—but not the kind of king people expected.

A King of Peace, Not War

In Bible times, horses were used for war, but donkeys were used in times of peace. Kings rode horses when going to battle, but donkeys when coming in peace.

Lord Jesus chose peace. The prophet Isaiah had already described Him:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Jesus did not come to fight Rome, but to reconcile people to God.

Interestingly, the people there understood the symbolism. Matthew records their response:

“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”Matthew 21:8–9 (NIV)

The crowd’s actions spreading cloaks and palm branches were signs of honour, acknowledging Jesus as the awaited Messiah, though many misunderstood the nature of His mission.

A Sacred Colt for a Holy Mission

The donkey’s colt had never been ridden. This is significant. In Scripture, animals set apart for God were not used for ordinary work.

“The Lord needs it.”Luke 19:31 (ESV)

Jesus was showing that His journey to the cross was holy, intentional, and ordained by God Himself.

Kingship Through Service

Jesus accepted praise as King—but He redefined kingship:

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NIV)

His crown would be thorns, His throne a cross. What this means for us today is that Jesus showed us that true power is found in humility.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”Matthew 5:5 (ESV)

As His followers, we are called to live the same way gentle, humble, and obedient.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)

Jesus riding a donkey is a powerful picture of God’s upside-down kingdom. It reminds us that greatness is not about power, noise, or force but about love, humility, and obedience to God.

The King still comes today—not to crush us, but to save us.

Bible Reading: Exodus 26-28

Why Did Jesus Ride a Donkey?

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