Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

19:28 Jerusalem. See Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus.

19:29 The location of Bethany on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives is well established (see note on John 11:1). Although the location of Bethphage has not been certainly identified, it was clearly farther along the road from Bethany.

19:30 Go . . . on entering you will find. Either an example of Jesus' foreknowledge or a prearrangement (cf. 22:13). A colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat implies a kind of purity that destines an animal for a sacred task (cf. animals offered to the Lord in Num. 19:2 and Deut. 21:3). Matthew 21:2 mentions that a donkey was with the colt, but Luke mentions only the colt, which was most important because Jesus would ride on it (see also note on Matt. 21:5-7).

19:32 They found it (v. 30; cf. 22:13), as Jesus had said.

19:35 set Jesus on it. Jesus fulfills a prophecy about the Messiah in Zech. 9:9 by riding on the donkey (see notes on Matt. 21:4-5; John 12:15; cf. 1 Kings 1:33).

19:36 spread . . . cloaks on the road. An act of homage (see note on Matt. 21:8; cf. 2 Kings 9:13).

19:37 On the Mount of Olives, see note on Mark 13:3. began to rejoice (cf. Zech. 9:9) and praise God. This came primarily from Jesus' disciples. all the mighty works that they had seen. The miracles they had seen recently (e.g., in Luke 9:51-19:27), and many more as well.

19:38 Blessed . . . in the name of the Lord! A blessing from Ps. 118:26 that pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem received (cf. note on Mark 11:9).

19:39-40 These verses illustrate v. 14. The Pharisees' attempt to squelch the joy of the occasion is rebuked, for if the disciples stopped expressing their praise, the very stones would cry out. All creation was made to worship this King who is Lord of all.