Luke Chapter 19 · Verse 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?
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.