Luke 19:36
And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
Original Language Analysis
πορευομένου
as he went
G4198
πορευομένου
as he went
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
1 of 10
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 10
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν
G846
αὐτῶν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 10
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
Spreading garments before a king was an ancient coronation ritual (2 Kings 9:13). In the Roman Empire, conquered peoples sometimes spread clothing before victorious generals during triumphal processions. The crowd's action thus carried both Jewish messianic and Greco-Roman royal overtones. The road from Bethany to Jerusalem was likely rocky and dusty—spreading garments would cushion the colt's path and honor the rider.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it cost you to 'spread your garments' before Jesus in daily worship and submission?
- How does this scene challenge comfortable, low-cost expressions of devotion to Christ?
- In what sense should the Christian life involve continuously 'preparing the way' for Christ's presence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way (πορευομένου...ὑπεστρώννυον τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, poreuomenou...hypestōnnyon ta himatia autōn en tē hodō). The imperfect tense spread (ὑπεστρώννυον, hypestōnnyon) indicates continuous action—they kept spreading garments as Jesus progressed. This spontaneous act of worship transforms the dusty road into a royal carpet, creating a 'way' (ὁδός, hodos—the same term used for 'the Way' of Christian discipleship in Acts).
The crowd's actions fulfill messianic expectation without Jesus explicitly commanding it. Like John the Baptist who prepared 'the way of the Lord' (3:4), these disciples literally prepare the way before Him. Their outer garments symbolize laying their very selves before Christ's feet. This extravagant devotion previews Mary's anointing (which John places earlier, at Bethany) and anticipates the early church's radical generosity.