Dialogue with Trypho

The phrase "binding his foal to the vine, and the ass’s foal to the vine tendril" was a prediction of both the works done by Him at His first coming and the faith the nations would place in Him. They were like an untamed foal without a yoke on its neck until Christ came and sent His disciples to teach them. They accepted the yoke of His word and endured hardships for the good things He promised and they expected. When our Lord Jesus Christ planned to enter Jerusalem, He asked His disciples to bring a specific donkey and its foal from a village called Bethphage, and He rode into Jerusalem on it. This fulfilled a prophecy in precise terms, proving He was the Christ. Despite all this, you remain hard-hearted. It was foretold by Zechariah, one of the twelve prophets, in these words: "Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion; shout and declare, daughter of Jerusalem; behold, your King will come to you, righteous, bringing salvation, meek, and lowly, riding on a donkey, and the foal of a donkey."

The Spirit of prophecy and the patriarch Jacob both mentioned a donkey and its foal, to be used by Him, and He asked His disciples to bring both animals. This was a prediction that you of the synagogue, along with the Gentiles, would believe in Him. The untamed colt represented the Gentiles, while the harnessed donkey represented your nation. You have the law given by the prophets. Moreover, the prophet Zechariah foretold that this same Christ would be struck, and His disciples scattered, which happened. After His crucifixion, His disciples were dispersed until He rose from the dead and convinced them that it had been prophesied that He would suffer. Convinced, they went into the world and taught these truths. Thus, we are strong in His faith and doctrine, persuaded by both the prophets and those who worship God worldwide in the name of the crucified One. Zechariah also said: "O sword, rise up against My Shepherd and against the man of My people, says the Lord of hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and His flock will be scattered."