The donkey is not an unclean animal in the Bible. It is simply classed among the animals that may not be eaten (it does not chew the cud and does not have a divided hoof), but this does not mean that it is unclean like certain strictly forbidden animals. On the contrary, the donkey is a common domestic animal, very useful, and it often appears in positive and symbolically strong contexts.
Here is the information we find in the Bible:
- The donkey is not unclean, but simply not to be eaten
According to the dietary law, an animal must chew the cud and have a divided hoof in order to be eaten. The donkey does not meet these conditions, but the text never declares it "unclean" in the ritual sense.
• Leviticus 11.3 – general rule on animals that may be eaten
• Deuteronomy 14.6 – the same rule repeated
The donkey is therefore among the animals not permitted for food, but not classed as unclean.
- The donkey has a recognized place in worship
• Exodus 13.13 and Exodus 34.20 – the firstborn of the donkey must be redeemed (proof that it is not unclean in the ritual sense, since an unclean animal would have had to be put away, not redeemed)
- The donkey is a common domestic animal, very present in the Bible
• Genesis 22.3 – Abraham saddles his donkey
• Genesis 42.26 – Joseph's brothers set out again with their donkeys
• Numbers 22.21-33 – Balaam rides his donkey
• Judges 5.10 – the notables of Israel ride white donkeys
• 1 Samuel 25.20 – Abigail rides a donkey
• 1 Kings 2.40 – Shimei saddles his donkey
• Job 1.3 – Job owns many female donkeys and donkeys
- The donkey appears in royal and symbolically strong contexts
• Judges 10.4 – the judges ride donkey colts
• 2 Samuel 16.1-2 – David receives loaded donkeys for the royal household in flight
• 1 Kings 1.33 – Solomon is anointed king by riding King David's mule (an animal of the donkey family)
• Zechariah 9.9 – the announced Messiah is to come "riding on a donkey, on a colt"
• Matthew 21.1-7 – Jesus fulfills this prophecy by entering Jerusalem
It is therefore an honorable animal, associated with daily life, work and travel.
Why does Jesus ride a donkey's colt?
There are three major reasons, all fully rooted in the Scriptures and in the Jewish culture of the time.
a) To fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9.9
This prophecy explicitly announces that the messianic king will arrive
"humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" Zechariah 9.9.
Jesus therefore deliberately chooses the mount that was announced, and does so publicly. The Gospels clearly stress this fulfillment Matthew 21.4-5, John 12.14-15.
b) Because the colt symbolizes peace and not war
In the ancient Near East:
the horse = symbol of war and conquest Psalms 20.7 ; Proverbs 21.31 ;
• the donkey = symbol of peace, simplicity, humility.
The kings of Israel often rode donkeys to express a peaceful kingship, as the anointing of Solomon on David's royal mule (an animal of the same family) shows 1 Kings 1.33.
Jesus does not enter as a military conqueror, but as the humble and righteous king announced by the prophets Isaiah 9.6.
c) Because the colt had never been ridden
Mark and Luke specify that the colt was new, never used Mark 11.2 ; Luke 19.30.
This is an important detail: according to Jewish custom, an animal intended for sacred use had to be new, never worked, as was the case for the red heifer or for certain animals intended for sacred functions Numbers 19.2 ; Deuteronomy 21.3.
Thus Jesus presents himself as the consecrated King, using an animal set apart, not profaned by ordinary use.
In summary
- The donkey is not an unclean animal.
- The Messiah Jesus rides a colt to fulfill the prophecy, to embody peace, and to use an animal "set apart," as befitted a public messianic act.