Matthew 21:1-3
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This isn't just Jesus arriving at a town; it's the "prologue to his passion," deliberately timed to coincide with the selection of the Passover lamb. The text emphasizes this isn't a spontaneous event, but a divinely orchestrated entry into Jerusalem, marking a profound moment in God's plan for salvation.
Jesus and his disciples are approaching Jerusalem, reaching a village called Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, just five days before his crucifixion. This marks the beginning of the final week of his earthly ministry, a significant moment foretold by prophecy, as Jesus prepares to make a public, royal entry into the city. He then sends two of his disciples ahead to secure a donkey and its colt for this purposeful procession.
Why the specific timing and location for Jesus's grand entrance into Jerusalem? It wasn't by chance.
Matthew 21:1 places Jesus and his disciples at a very specific geographical and temporal point: approaching Jerusalem, arriving at Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. This wasn't just a random stop; it was the meticulously planned prelude to His final week.
A Prophetic Intersection
This approach to Jerusalem, particularly the use of a donkey, directly fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, 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!"
Strategic Location
Bethphage, meaning "house of unripe figs," and the Mount of Olives were strategically positioned. From the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem and its Temple would have been in full view. This vantage point allowed Jesus to survey the city and for His actions to be seen, setting the stage for the public declaration of His kingship.
Before the crowds, before the fanfare, Jesus sends a covert operation. What was its purpose?
Verse 1 tells us, 'then Jesus sent two disciples.' This wasn't a spontaneous request; it was a deliberate act of divine orchestration. Jesus wasn't merely reacting to circumstances; He was actively commanding them.
Foreshadowing Authority
By sending two disciples on a specific mission to find a donkey and its colt, Jesus demonstrated His foreknowledge and authority over all creation, including the property of others. He knew exactly where the animals would be and that they would be available (as detailed in the following verses).
Purposeful Fulfillment
This mission was essential for the fulfillment of the prophetic entry. Riding a donkey, rather than a horse, signified His role as a king of peace and salvation, not a warrior. The disciples acted as His agents, carrying out His precise instructions to bring about this moment.
Understand the original words
Hierosolyma · Greek Proper Noun
The holy city of Israel, the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple, representing God's presence among His people. It is a frequent focus of messianic prophecy and expectation.
Bēthphagē · Greek Proper Noun
A term meaning "house of figs," a village located on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. It is culturally significant as a site frequently visited by Jesus during his final week.
Elaion · Greek Noun
A ridge east of Jerusalem. In biblical prophecy (Zechariah 14:4), it is the site where the Lord shall stand at the time of the end and the inauguration of His kingdom.
mathētēs · Greek Noun
This verse marks the precise moment Jesus begins His final, prophetic journey into Jerusalem, intentionally fulfilling Old Testament prophecy for a public, symbolic claim to kingship just days before His crucifixion.
c. AD 30, Friday afternoon
Jesus arrives at Bethany
Jesus arrives in Bethany, near Jerusalem, likely six days before the Passover feast. This marks the beginning of the final week of His earthly ministry.
c. AD 30, Sabbath day
Jesus rests in Bethany
Jesus likely stays in Bethany, possibly at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, observing the Sabbath before the events of Palm Sunday.
c. AD 30, Sunday morning— this verse
Journey to Bethphage and Olivet
Jesus and his disciples leave Bethany and approach Bethphage, then the Mount of Olives, a location overlooking Jerusalem.
c. AD 30, Sunday
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt, hailed by crowds with shouts of 'Hosanna,' fulfilling prophecy and symbolically claiming His kingship.
This Old Testament prophecy vividly describes the humble king arriving in Jerusalem on a donkey, a direct foreshadowing of Jesus' actions in Matthew 21:1-9. It highlights the intentional contrast between royal power and gentle humility.
John 12:12-14This passage provides further details about the crowds gathering palm branches and shouting 'Hosanna,' offering a fuller picture of the scene that Jesus was approaching in Matthew 21:1. It emphasizes the public adoration that accompanied Jesus' arrival.
Luke 19:29-38Luke's account offers a parallel perspective on Jesus sending disciples to find the colt, adding details about the disciples' response and the crowd's praise. It reinforces the intentionality of Jesus' actions as He neared Jerusalem.
Matthew 26:6-13Although placed earlier in Matthew's narrative, this event of anointing Jesus occurred shortly before His entry into Jerusalem and is linked to Bethany, near where Jesus was in Matthew 21:1. It highlights the reverence and preparation for Jesus' impending suffering and death.
bensonMatthew 21:1: "And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,"
Matthew 21:1-3 . And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem — Namely, on the first day of the week, five days before his death, for the passover was kept on the fourteenth day of the month, and this was the tenth; on which day the law appointed that the paschal-lamb should be taken up, Exodus 12:3 , and set apart for that service: on that day therefore Christ…
henryMatthew 21:1-11: "And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,"
21:1-11 This coming of Christ was described by the prophet Zechariah, Zec 9:9. When Christ would appear in his glory, it is in his meekness, not in his majesty, in mercy to work salvation. As meekness and outward poverty were fully seen in Zion's King, and marked his triumphal entrance to Jerusalem, how wrong covetousness, ambition, and the pride of lif…
This isn't just Jesus arriving at a town; it's the "prologue to his passion," deliberately timed to coincide with the selection of the Passover lamb. The text emphasizes this isn't a spontaneous event, but a divinely orchestrated entry into Jerusalem, marking a profound moment in God's plan for salvation.
Jesus and his disciples are approaching Jerusalem, reaching a village called Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, just five days before his crucifixion. This marks the beginning of the final week of his earthly ministry, a significant moment foretold by prophecy, as Jesus prepares to make a public, royal entry into the city. He then sends two of his disciples ahead to secure a donkey and its colt for this purposeful procession.
Jesus and his disciples are approaching Jerusalem, reaching a village called Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, just five days before his crucifixion. This marks the beginning of the final week of his earthly ministry, a significant moment foretold by prophecy, as Jesus prepares to make a public, royal entry into the city. He then sends two of his disciples ahead to secure a donkey and its colt for this purposeful procession.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 21:1-3 is available in the Sola app.
Literally a "learner" or "apprentice," one who adheres to the teachings of another. In the New Testament, it refers to those who follow Jesus, learn from Him, and imitate His life.
kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of authority and ownership, often used to refer to God (Yahweh) in the Old Testament and applied to Jesus in the New Testament to acknowledge His deity, lordship, and sovereign authority.
c. AD 30, Sunday evening
Jesus departs Jerusalem
After entering Jerusalem and cleansing the temple, Jesus and his disciples depart the city, likely returning to Bethany for the night.
c. AD 30, Monday
Return to Jerusalem and temple cleansing
Jesus returns to Jerusalem, again passing the now-withered fig tree, and powerfully drives merchants and money-changers from the temple courts.
"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Unti…" — This isn't just Jesus arriving at a town; it's the "prologue to his passion," deliberately timed to coincide with the selection of the Passover lamb. The text emphasizes this isn't a spontaneous even…
