Matthew 21:4

‘Now this is come about, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,'

But Matthew then again points out that a further fulfilment of the Old Testament prophetic message was taking place. The Scriptures were coming to a head in Jesus (Matthew 5:17). The citation is in fact taken from two places, Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9. But in both cases there is a remarkable omission. Isaiah 62:11 reads, “Say you to the daughter of Zion, behold your salvation comes”, but Matthew drops ‘salvation' replacing it with ‘King' from Zechariah 9:9; Zechariah 9:9 then declares, “Behold your king comes to you, He is righteous and having salvation, lowly and riding on an ass, and on a colt the foal of an ass'. Again the reference to salvation is dropped. So in both cases Matthew deliberately drops the reference to salvation. Compare also John 12:15 where John also drops the reference to salvation, but there John includes the words, ‘do not be afraid', emphasising the King's lowliness and that He has not come with belligerent or harmful intent.

So the lack of mention of salvation is not to be seen as a threat. Rather it is a sad recognition of the fact that Jerusalem as a whole will not recognise or respond to the salvation that He has come to bring, a thought that continues to be emphasised throughout what follows, and is emphasised in Acts, where in spite of the glorious initial response Jerusalem eventually hardens itself against Jesus.

On the other hand for those who are ready to respond to Him the underlying message is that salvation is available, for all who knew their Scriptures would recognise that behind the King's coming in terms of these two quotations salvation was in the air.

We must conclude therefore that it is not correct to say that Jesus was by His act making an offer of salvation to Jerusalem that was not accepted. Such a thought is deliberately excluded by the omissions of both Matthew and John. It is rather to be seen as an indication that their King had come, but that He was aware that, apart from the many whose hearts were open, (something revealed by the acclamation of the crowds), Jerusalem was not on the whole in a state of heart which made them ready to receive His salvation. His act therefore is a declaration rather than an offer, and identifies Him as the King coming as the suffering Servant, something which has been Matthew's continual message throughout.