Knowing that the Passover season was approaching, Jesus turned his steps toward Jerusalem. As he neared the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples into a nearby village to procure for him the colt upon which he would ride for his presentation to Israel as its king (Zechariah 9:9).

In this connection, it is interesting to note that this colt was one “whereon yet never man sat” (Luke 19:30). This fact is quite significant! Such an animal would require a “beaking-in” period ere anyone could ride upon it. It would quite naturally resist being ridden upon, and the restraint of its freedom. Bearing in mind that an ass is an unclean animal, yet one that could be redeemed (Exodus 13:13; 34:20; Numbers 18:15), it might well represent the whole world of mankind as it appears in the end of the Gospel age – wild, lawless, unclean, and anarchistic – the kingdoms of this world which are to become “the kingdoms of our Lord” (Revelation 11:15). Yes, they are to become, as did that colt of the ass under Jesus, no longer restive, but docile, peaceable, willingly subject to the King.

– Anton Frey, “Notes on the Passover and the Memorial”

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