A.T. Robertson Commentary John 12:15

"Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass`s colt." — John 12:15 (ASV)

Daughter of Zion (θυγατηρ Σιων). Nominative form (instead of θυγατερ) but vocative case. The quotation is from Zec 9:9 shortened.

Thy King cometh (ο βασιλευς ερχετα). Prophetic futuristic present. The ass was the animal ridden in peace as the horse was in war (12:14; 2 Samuel 17:23; 2 Samuel 19:26). Zechariah pictures one coming in peace. So the people here regarded Jesus as the Prince of Peace in the triumphal entry.

Sitting on an ass's colt (καθημενος επ πωλον ονου). Matthew (Matthew 21:6f.) does speak of both the ass and the colt having garments put on them, but he does not say that Jesus "sat upon" both animals at once, for επανω αυτων (upon them) probably refers to the garments, not to the colts. When John wrote (end of the century), Jerusalem had fallen. Jesus will lament over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41ff.). So "Fear not" (μη φοβου).