In Jewish tradition, The Messiah's Donkey (Hebrew: חמורו של משיח) refers to the donkey upon which the Messiah will arrive to redeem the world at the end of days. In Modern Hebrew the phrase "the Messiah's donkey" is used to refer to someone who does the 'dirty work' on behalf of someone else.
The origin of the belief can be found in Zechariah 9:9: "... your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." The 'king' referred to in this verse is interpreted by Chazal as referring to the Messiah.
In the discussion regarding this verse in the Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 98a) a story is told of the Persian king Shevor, who asks Samuel one of the Amoraim: Why doesn't your Messiah come riding on a horse? If he lacks one, I'll be glad to provide him with one of my fast horses! In response to the ridicule of the king, Samuel answers: Do you have a horse that has a hundred shades of color? .
In the New Testament (Mark 11:1-11) it is told that as Jesus approached the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples to a nearby village to fetch him a donkey. Upon their return, Jesus then rode the donkey into Jerusalem where he was met by cheering crowds. According to the Christian religious tradition, this was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.
A similar story can also be found in the Islamic religious tradition: it is written that before the arrival of the Mahdi, the Dajjal will appear riding a white donkey.
Read more about The Messiah's Donkey: Modern References
Famous quotes containing the words messiah and/or donkey:
“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.”
—Bible: New Testament, Matthew 1:18,19.
“Heaven is the place where the donkey at last catches up with the carrot.”
—Anonymous.