Bible Strands
John 12:15
“Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion. See, your King is coming, seated on the colt of a donkey.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The evangelist quotes a prophetic declaration while narrating Jesus mounting a young donkey, addressing the "Daughter of Zion" rather than Jesus speaking directly to the crowd. This occurs at the triumphal entry, introduced by the phrase "as it is written."
The words — φοβοῦ (phobou) means "do fear," combined with μὴ (mē) "not" to form the command "do not be afraid." ἰδοὺ (idou) "behold" or "see" introduces the announcement of the approaching King.
The thread — The quotation draws from Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 62:11, and Zephaniah 3:16, which similarly address Zion or Jerusalem with royal and salvific promises. The disciples only recognized this fulfillment after Jesus was glorified (John 12:16).
Why it lands — It commands the reader to abandon fear and recognize a king whose authority is displayed through humility. The text requires acknowledging that present events are the direct fulfillment of prior written prophecy.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
Cross-references
- Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
- Isaiah 62:11 Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”
- Zephaniah 3:16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem: “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands fall limp.
- Isaiah 35:4 Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.”
- 2 Samuel 16:2 “Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
- Isaiah 40:9 Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news. Raise your voice loudly, O Jerusalem, herald of good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”
- Isaiah 41:14 Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
- Zechariah 2:9 I will surely wave My hand over them, so that they will become plunder for their own servants. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me.”
- Deuteronomy 17:16 But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’
- Judges 5:10 You who ride white donkeys, who sit on saddle blankets, and you who travel the road, ponder