Matthew 21:2 kjv
Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
Matthew 21:2 nkjv
saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.
Matthew 21:2 niv
saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.
Matthew 21:2 esv
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.
Matthew 21:2 nlt
"Go into the village over there," he said. "As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me.
Matthew 21 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 11:2-3 | And said to them, “Go into the village opposite you...you will find a colt tied...And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it...’” | Parallel account of the instructions given. |
| Lk 19:30-31 | saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied...And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” | Another parallel account, emphasizing Jesus' need. |
| Zech 9:9 | Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!...your King comes to you...humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. | Direct Old Testament prophecy fulfilled. |
| Gen 49:10-11 | The scepter shall not depart from Judah...binding his foal to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine. | Jacob's prophecy foreshadowing a Judahite King linked with a donkey. |
| Isa 62:11 | Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your salvation comes!’ | Prophetic call to announce the coming Savior to Zion. |
| Mt 26:18-19 | He said, “Go into the city...and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.’” | Similar detailed instructions showing Jesus' foreknowledge of arrangements. |
| Mk 14:13-15 | And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a water jar...” | Jesus' specific foreknowledge about preparing the Last Supper. |
| Lk 22:10-12 | He said to them, “Indeed, as you enter the city, a man will meet you carrying a water jar...” | Further illustration of Jesus' prophetic foresight in making arrangements. |
| Jn 1:48-49 | Jesus answered...“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered...“Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” | Demonstration of Jesus' omniscience and divine perception. |
| Jn 2:24-25 | But Jesus on His part did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for He Himself knew what was in man. | General statement of Jesus' knowledge of human hearts and situations. |
| Mt 8:9 | For I too am a man under authority...and to one I say, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” | Demonstrates authority in issuing commands, mirroring Jesus' authority. |
| Php 2:6-8 | Christ Jesus...made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men...He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death... | Highlights Jesus' humility, reflected in His choice of a donkey over a warhorse. |
| Isa 53:2-3 | He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men... | Prophecy of the humble, unostentatious nature of the Messiah. |
| 1 Pet 1:10-11 | Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully... | The Holy Spirit inspiring prophets to foretell the Messiah's coming. |
| Deut 18:22 | When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come to pass or come true, that is the word that the LORD has not spoken. | The infallible nature of divine prophecy, proven true by Jesus' words. |
| Jn 13:19 | I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am He. | Jesus often revealed future events to confirm His identity and divinity. |
| Mt 16:21 | From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things...and be killed and on the third day be raised. | The planned itinerary leading to Jerusalem and the crucifixion. |
| Lk 9:51 | When the days drew near for Him to be taken up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem. | Jesus' resolute purpose to enter Jerusalem and fulfill His mission. |
| Zech 14:4 | On that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east... | Future prophecy connected to the Mount of Olives, from where Jesus ascended and will return. |
| Gen 22:7-8 | Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” | God's provision and sovereignty over specific animals for a divine purpose. |
Matthew 21 verses
Matthew 21 2 Meaning
This verse captures Jesus' divine authority and prophetic knowledge as He directs two disciples to fetch specific animals for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It details the precise location and nature of the animals—a tied donkey and her colt—that the disciples would immediately find. This instruction highlights Jesus' foreknowledge, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah's humble, yet kingly, arrival in Zion, initiating the final events of His earthly ministry leading to His crucifixion and resurrection.
Matthew 21 2 Context
Matthew chapter 21 opens what is often referred to as Passion Week, the final week of Jesus' earthly ministry before His crucifixion. Following His departure from Jericho (Mt 20:29) and His journey with a large crowd, Jesus approaches Bethphage and Bethany, towns situated on the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem. Verse 2 immediately follows Jesus' instruction to send two disciples ahead. This moment is crucial, marking Jesus' official, public presentation of Himself as the promised Messiah and King to Jerusalem. It’s not merely an entrance but a deliberate act designed to fulfill prophetic scripture, notably Zechariah 9:9. The historical context for the original audience involves thousands of pilgrims flooding Jerusalem for the Passover festival, making Jesus' entry highly visible and politically charged. The act of entering on a donkey, rather than a warhorse, intentionally signals a different kind of kingship—a reign of peace and humility, yet undeniably authoritative.
Matthew 21 2 Word analysis
- And said: The conjunctive "and" (Greek: kai) connects this instruction directly to Jesus' preceding actions, signifying continuity in His purposeful journey.
- to them: Refers to the two disciples Jesus had just dispatched, as indicated in the preceding verse (Mt 21:1). Their role is one of immediate and unquestioning obedience.
- Go: (Greek: hypagete, a present imperative) - A direct command, implying immediate action and obedience. It highlights Jesus' authoritative tone, sending them on a mission.
- into the village: (Greek: eis tēn kōmēn) - Refers to Bethphage (mentioned in Mt 21:1), a small, unincorporated village or hamlet near the Mount of Olives. The specific mention underscores Jesus' precise knowledge.
- in front of you: (Greek: katenanti hymōn) - Literally "opposite you" or "facing you." This provides a clear, unmistakable directional marker for the disciples, removing any doubt about the destination.
- and immediately: (Greek: euthyōs) - "Straightway," "at once." This adverb emphasizes the certainty and promptness of the event Jesus predicts. It highlights His foreknowledge and the miraculous precision of His divine plan.
- you will find: (Greek: heurēsete, future indicative) - A statement of certain outcome, not a suggestion or possibility. It assures the disciples that their search will be successful, reinforcing Jesus' omniscience.
- a donkey tied: (Greek: onon dedemenēn) - Onos refers to a female donkey. Dedemenēn is a perfect passive participle, indicating a state of being "tied up." The image of a tied animal suggests its current availability and readiness to be used as soon as untied. This points directly to the fulfillment of Zech 9:9.
- and a colt with her: (Greek: kai pōlon met' autēs) - Pōlon refers to a young, unbroken animal, often specifically a donkey's foal. The presence of both the mother donkey and the colt (the "foal of a donkey" in Zech 9:9) highlights Matthew's meticulous attention to fulfilling the prophecy in detail. The mother may have been for familiarity, and the colt for the primary, unburdened rider.
- untie them: (Greek: lysate, aorist imperative) - A direct command to perform a specific action, releasing the animals from their bonds. This action is preparatory for their divinely appointed purpose.
- and bring them: (Greek: kai agagete) - Another imperative command, instructing the disciples to physically escort the animals to Jesus. This is the direct result of "untying them."
- to me: (Greek: moi, dative case of egō) - Emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate recipient and the sole purpose for which the animals are to be brought. This underlines His messianic claim and the ultimate authority behind the command.
Matthew 21 2 Bonus section
- Significance of Two Animals: While Zechariah 9:9 speaks of "a donkey" and "a colt, the foal of a donkey," implying a singular animal as the primary mount, Matthew's account specifies both being brought. This detail ensures strict prophetic fulfillment. Some interpret the presence of the mother as making the untrained colt easier to lead, or that both were simply part of the exact scenario Jesus foreknew and commanded.
- The Unridden Colt (Mark and Luke): Though not explicitly in Matthew, the parallel accounts in Mark (Mk 11:2) and Luke (Lk 19:30) add the detail that the colt had never been ridden before. This detail underscores its consecration for a sacred, unique purpose, making it fitting for the Son of God. This concept resonates with sacrificial animals often being unblemished or first-born.
- Divine Ownership: The reason given in the synoptic parallels ("The Lord has need of it," Mk 11:3, Lk 19:31) asserts Jesus' ultimate ownership and right to the animals, transcending conventional human property laws. It implies that everything belongs to Him and is at His disposal for His divine purposes.
- The Mount of Olives Setting: The starting point, the Mount of Olives (Mt 21:1), is significant biblically as a place associated with prophecy (Zech 14:4) and future messianic events, anchoring Jesus' entrance in deep prophetic resonance.
Matthew 21 2 Commentary
Matthew 21:2 is more than a simple set of instructions; it is a profound declaration of Jesus' divine attributes and a deliberate act of messianic fulfillment. Jesus' precise knowledge of an animal's exact location and condition, sight unseen by the disciples, unequivocally demonstrates His omniscience—a quality unique to God (Jn 2:25). The command itself is absolute and authoritative, highlighting His sovereignty over all creation, even seemingly trivial matters like finding a donkey.
The selection of a donkey, and specifically a colt, is laden with theological significance. Unlike earthly kings who parade on warhorses to assert military might, Jesus deliberately chooses a humble beast of burden, directly fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. This entrance declares Him to be a King of peace (Zech 9:10), challenging the prevalent Jewish expectation of a conquering military Messiah (Jn 6:15). His kingship is not of this world in its nature, yet it is undeniably a true kingship. The act of "untying" them and "bringing them" also speaks to the release from bondage and bringing humanity into His presence, anticipating His ultimate work on the cross. The disciples' ready obedience, based on Jesus' foreknowledge, serves as a powerful example of trust and faith in God's specific guidance and provision for His redemptive purposes.