They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples threw their cloaks on both the donkey and the colt, not knowing which Jesus would ride, showing their eagerness to prepare for him even when uncertain. This act of covering the animals with their own garments was a profound gesture of respect, turning simple clothing into a makeshift royal carpet.
They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is orchestrating a public entry into Jerusalem, deliberately fulfilling Old Testament prophecy about his messianic kingship. To achieve this, he sends disciples to retrieve a donkey and its colt, instructing them on how to handle any questions from the owners. The disciples then prepare the animals by laying their own cloaks on them before Jesus sits on the makeshift saddle.
Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem wasn't a spontaneous event, but a carefully orchestrated fulfillment of a prophecy written centuries before. It reveals God's plan unfolding precisely as foretold.
The Gospel writers emphasize that Jesus' actions, including his choice of transportation, were not random. They directly link his ride on the donkey and colt to Zechariah 9:9: "Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘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.’" This wasn't just a borrowed donkey; it was a deliberate sign, a visual declaration of Jesus' identity as the promised King. The prophecy highlighted his humble reign, contrasting sharply with the worldly expectations of a conquering king. By riding this particular animal, Jesus was fulfilling the specific details of the prophecy, signaling that his kingdom was not of this world.
The disciples' actions of placing their cloaks on the donkey and colt might seem odd. But this simple act carried profound meaning, revealing a king who is honored through the service of his followers.
When the disciples brought the donkey and colt, they didn't have a royal saddle. Instead, they took their own cloaks – their outer garments that provided warmth and protection – and spread them over the animals. This was a practical, yet deeply symbolic, act. It was a gesture of respect and honor, akin to laying down a carpet for a dignitary. It shows that Jesus was received as a king, even if his
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
onos · Greek Noun
A beast of burden often used in ancient Israel; in this context, it symbolizes the humility and peaceable nature of the coming King as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9.
This act was a deliberate, public declaration of Jesus' kingship, but one that starkly contrasted with the prevailing expectations of a conquering, earthly king. By fulfilling a specific prophecy of humble kingship, Jesus was subverting worldly power structures and pointing toward a spiritual kingdom.
c. 740 BC
Zechariah Prophesies the King
The prophet Zechariah records a prophecy about a coming king who will enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey, a symbol of peace and humility, not military might.
c. 4 BC
Herod the Great Reigns
Herod the Great, a powerful and often brutal ruler appointed by Rome, is the king over Judea. His reign is marked by grand building projects and political maneuvering.
c. AD 25-30
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Judea
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering followers throughout the region, building up a reputation that would soon reach Jerusalem.
AD 26-36
Pontius Pilate Governs Judea
Pontius Pilate serves as the Roman prefect of Judea, holding significant authority over the region and its Jewish population. His governorship will prove crucial in Jesus' trial.
Passover Week, AD 30-33 (approx.)— this verse
Jesus Enters Jerusalem as King
Jesus, aware of the crowds and the growing religious and political tension, deliberately fulfills Zechariah's prophecy by riding a borrowed donkey colt into Jerusalem, drawing a massive, celebratory crowd.
This passage directly prophesies the humble king riding on a donkey, which Matthew explicitly states is being fulfilled in Jesus' actions here. It highlights the intentional contrast between royal status and humble presentation.
2 Kings 9:13This verse describes how Jehu was honored by having cloaks spread before him as he rode, paralleling the disciples' action of putting their cloaks on the donkey as a sign of deep respect and honor for Jesus.
Isaiah 62:11This prophecy announces the coming of Zion's king, stating 'he is just and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon a donkey, even a colt the foal of a donkey.' This paints a similar picture of a humble, salvific ruler.
John 12:14-15This parallel account from John also describes Jesus finding and riding the colt, emphasizing the fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy and the disciples' obedience to Jesus' specific instructions.
vincentMatthew 21:7: "And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon."
Set him thereonBut the preferable reading is ἐπεκάθισεν, he took his seat upon.A very great multitude (ὁ πλεῖστος ὄχλος)The A. V. is wrong. The reference is not to the size, but to the proportionate part of the multitude which followed him. Hence Rev., correctly, The most part of the multitude.Their garments (ἑαυτῶν)Lit., "their own garments." The disciples spread their garments o…
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…
The disciples threw their cloaks on both the donkey and the colt, not knowing which Jesus would ride, showing their eagerness to prepare for him even when uncertain. This act of covering the animals with their own garments was a profound gesture of respect, turning simple clothing into a makeshift royal carpet.
Jesus is orchestrating a public entry into Jerusalem, deliberately fulfilling Old Testament prophecy about his messianic kingship. To achieve this, he sends disciples to retrieve a donkey and its colt, instructing them on how to handle any questions from the owners. The disciples then prepare the animals by laying their own cloaks on them before Jesus sits on the makeshift saddle.
Jesus is orchestrating a public entry into Jerusalem, deliberately fulfilling Old Testament prophecy about his messianic kingship. To achieve this, he sends disciples to retrieve a donkey and its colt, instructing them on how to handle any questions from the owners. The disciples then prepare the animals by laying their own cloaks on them before Jesus sits on the makeshift saddle.
"They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them." — The disciples threw their cloaks on both the donkey and the colt, not knowing which Jesus would ride, showing their eagerness to prepare for him even when uncertain. This act of covering the animal…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026