Luke 19:30
Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
Original Language Analysis
Ὑπάγετε
Go ye
G5217
Ὑπάγετε
Go ye
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
2 of 21
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃν
the which
G3739
ὃν
the which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
εἰσπορευόμενοι
at your entering
G1531
εἰσπορευόμενοι
at your entering
Strong's:
G1531
Word #:
9 of 21
to enter (literally or figuratively)
δεδεμένον
tied
G1210
δεδεμένον
tied
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
12 of 21
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
ἐφ'
whereon
G1909
ἐφ'
whereon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ὃν
the which
G3739
ὃν
the which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
14 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
οὐδεὶς
yet never
G3762
οὐδεὶς
yet never
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
15 of 21
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
πώποτε
G4455
ἐκάθισεν
sat
G2523
ἐκάθισεν
sat
Strong's:
G2523
Word #:
18 of 21
to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
Historical Context
In the ancient Near East, kings rode donkeys during peacetime and horses during war. Solomon rode David's mule to his coronation (1 Kings 1:33). An unblemished, never-ridden animal was required for sacred purposes. Jesus's choice of a humble donkey rather than a royal stallion subverted expectations of a political-military messiah who would overthrow Rome.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the untrained colt's submission to Jesus reveal about Christ's authority over creation?
- How does Jesus's choice of a donkey rather than a warhorse redefine what messianic kingship means?
- In what ways do you resist Christ's claim to be the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat (πῶλον δεδεμένον, ἐφ᾽ ὃν οὐδεὶς πώποτε ἀνθρώπων ἐκάθισεν, pōlon dedemenon, eph' hon oudeis pōpote anthrōpōn ekathisen)—Christ's supernatural knowledge is on display. The colt (πῶλος, pōlos) refers to a young donkey, and its never-ridden status marks it as fitting for sacred use (Numbers 19:2, Deuteronomy 21:3). An untrained animal would normally be difficult to control, yet this colt submits to Christ—a sign of creation's recognition of its Creator.
This detail fulfills Zechariah 9:9 precisely: 'Behold, thy King cometh unto thee...lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.' Jesus deliberately stages a messianic claim that any Torah-literate Jew would recognize. The peaceful donkey contrasts with the warhorse Roman emperors rode, signaling a different kind of kingdom.