When
he came near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, saying, “Go your way into the village on the other side, in which, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat. Untie it, and bring it. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say to him: ‘The Lord needs it.’” Those who were sent went away, and found things just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus. They threw their cloaks on the colt, and set Jesus on them. As he went, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”
Luke 19:29-38
Luke 19 [25.] “They said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘For I tell you that to everyone who has, will more be given; but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him. But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.’” Having said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Luke 19 [29.] When he came near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, saying, “Go your way into the village on the other side, in which, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat. Untie it, and bring it. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say to him: ‘The Lord needs it.’”
Luke 19 [32.] Those who were sent went away, and found things just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus. They threw their cloaks on the colt, and set Jesus on them. As he went, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”
Luke 19 [39.] Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
Meaning:
Jesus had just told the parable of a nobleman who went away to receive a kingdom, and then “he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem” (Luke 19:28). Now he arrives at the edge of the city and enters it as King. All four Gospels record this entry (Mark 11:1-3; Mark 11:4-6; Mark 11:7-10; Matthew 21:1-3; Matthew 21:4-11; John 12:13).
- Bethphage, Bethany and the Mount of Olives
Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, lay on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, about three kilometres from Jerusalem. From the ridge of Olivet the road drops down into the Kidron Valley with the whole city and temple in view. The mountain had prophetic meaning: Zechariah foresaw the day when “His feet will stand in that day on the Mount of Olives” (Zechariah 14:4).
- “You will find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat”
Jesus directs every detail. An animal never ridden was fit for a sacred purpose. More importantly, Jesus was fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy: “Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). He comes not on a war horse but on a humble colt, a King of peace.
- “The Lord needs it”
The owners asked the very question Jesus had foretold, and the disciples gave the answer he had given them. Things happened “just as he had told them.” Jesus knows and commands everything that happens, even as he walks towards suffering. The Lord of all creation asks for a borrowed colt, and its owners willingly give it.
- “They spread their cloaks on the road”
Spreading cloaks before someone was an act of homage to a king. When Jehu was anointed king, his fellow officers “took his cloak, and put it under him on the top of the stairs” and proclaimed, “Jehu is king” (2 Kings 9:13). The disciples set Jesus on their cloaks and carpeted the road for him.
- “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”
The disciples praised God “for all the mighty works which they had seen.” Their cry comes from Psalm 118, sung by pilgrims at the festivals: “Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name!” (Psalm 118:26). Luke alone adds the word “King.” Jesus had said earlier that Jerusalem would not see him until they said these words (Luke 13:35).
- “Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”
These words echo the song of the angels at his birth: “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). The King has come to make peace between God and people, a peace that would be won through the cross.
The Significance of Luke 19:29-38
- A humble King
Jesus claimed his kingship openly, yet he did it riding on a colt. His kingdom comes through humility and sacrifice, not force. Those who follow him are called to the same humility.
- Joyful praise
The disciples praised Jesus for what they had seen him do. Remembering his works and his promises still leads believers to worship him as King, until the day when “every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:11).
Cross-References:
Zechariah 9:9: "Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation" The prophecy Jesus fulfilled.
Psalm 118:26: "Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name!" The psalm the crowd sang.
Mark 11:7-10: Mark’s account of the cloaks, the branches and the shouts of Hosanna.
Conclusion: Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt as Zechariah had foretold, while his disciples spread their cloaks on the road and praised God, crying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” He came as a humble King of peace, ready to complete his mission in the city.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible