“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, slowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” –Zechariah 9:9
In the ancient Middle Eastern world, leaders rode horses if they rode to war, but donkeys if they came in peace. The mention of a donkey in Zechariah 9:9 fits the description of a king who would be “righteous and having salvation, gentle.” Rather than riding to conquer, this king would enter in peace.
Jesus fulfills this prophecy of Zechariah:
“7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” -Mark 11
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” – Luke 2:14