Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 12:15

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

The entry into Jerusalem was Jesus’ announcement that his hour had come and that he was ready for action, though not according to the expectation of the people. He did not come as a conqueror but as a messenger of peace. He rode on a common donkey, not a royal steed. John couples this entry with a prophecy of Zechariah (9:9), who announced that the king of Israel would appear in humility without pomp and ceremony. The pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem to attend the feast went out to greet Jesus; the other crowd gathered in his train. “Hosanna” is a Hebrew expression meaning literally “Save now!” (see comment on Mk 11:9). It may be interpreted as a plea for immediate action on the part of the king (cf. v.13). “Daughter of Zion” is a personification of the city of Jerusalem; it occurs frequently in the OT, especially in the later prophets (Isaiah 1:8; Isaiah 52:2; Jeremiah 4:31; Micah 4:8; Zechariah 2:10; et al.).