4–5 This quotation of Zech 9:9 conforms to the pattern of the other
formula-quotations (see pp. 11–14) in its set formula and in its character as
an editorial comment inserted into the narrative. The formula leaves the
prophet unidentified, as is always the case when it is not one of the major
prophets, Isaiah or Jeremiah. As in most of the other formula-quotations,
the text presented does not conform to either the LXX or the Hebrew text as
we know it. The opening clause, “Say to my daughter Zion,” uses the same
idiomatic title for the city as the opening of the Zechariah oracle, but is
shorter and less colorful; the words in fact correspond to LXX Isa 62:11
where this clause introduces a similar prophecy of the coming of salvation.
Such conflation of related oracles occurs naturally among those familiar
with scriptures, and is found also in other formula-quotations (see on 2:6;
27:9–10).²⁵ Thereafter Matthew’s wording is based on that of the LXX but
departs from it by (1) omitting the clause “vindicated and saved” (LXX
“righteous and saving”) and (2) providing a more literal translation of the
Hebrew description of the animal(s), where LXX has “on a beast of burden
and a new foal” (see p. 722, n. 11). See below on vv. 6–7 for how Matthew’s
two animals relate to the meaning of the OT text.
Even if the reader did not notice the echoes of the story of David noted above,
Zech 9:9–10 would be readily recognized as a messianic oracle, with a king
coming to Jerusalem and establishing universal peace and worldwide
dominion.² There is a subtle tension within Zechariah’s description of this
messianic king: he is victorious and yet meek, and his triumph is received rather
than won (“vindicated and saved”). He rides a donkey rather than a war horse,
and his kingdom will be one of peace rather than of coercion. When Jesus chose
this oracle to enact as he approached the city, he was thus claiming to be the
Messiah, but not the sort of Messiah much popular patriotism might have hoped
for. Zechariah’s vision prepares the reader well for a kingship which will be
established without violence and indeed through submitting to the will of his
enemies, so that his ultimate triumph will come only when he is “vindicated and
saved” from death by the power of God. For “meekness” as a characteristic of
Jesus’ mission cf. 11:29, and the portrait of the servant in 12:18–21. The
omission of “vindicated and saved” from the quotation by both Matthew and
John is probably in order to focus attention most clearly on the adjective “meek.”
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