Matthew 21:3 meaning
As Jesus approached Jerusalem during the final days of His earthly ministry, He orchestrated events to demonstrate His authority and fulfill prophetic scripture. Specifically, He instructed His disciples to retrieve a donkey and its colt, symbolizing His role as the Messiah. This act of sending the disciples to procure the animals was intentional, as it fulfilled the prophecy found in Zechariah, which foretold the king's humble entrance to Zion. The scripture reminds us that Jesus came not as a warrior on a steed but as a king on a humble donkey, illustrating the concept of servant leadership.
In this preparation for His triumphal entry, there is a profound significance behind His choice of mount. While the world often views power through the lens of grandeur and might, Jesus exemplified a different kind of authority through humility and peace. The way He arranged this moment reflects an understanding that His kingdom operates contrary to earthly expectations, inviting all, regardless of their status, to experience His grace. As it is written, “The Lord hath need of him,” highlighting His sovereign control over all, even in mundane matters like borrowing a donkey.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Deeper Commentary Covering this Verse:
- Matthew 21:1-7 meaning. Jesus and the disciples pause as they approach the Mount of Olives, just east of Jerusalem. Jesus sends two disciples to go retrieve a donkey and her unridden colt from the village of Bethphage. Once done the disciples lay their coats on the beasts and Jesus begins to ride the colt into Jerusalem. This fulfills a Messianic prophecy from Zechariah.
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Matthew 21:33-41 meaning. Jesus tells the parable of a landowner who plants a vineyard on his land. He then hires vine-growers to work His vineyard while He is away. When the harvest comes, the vineyard owner sends some slaves to collect its produce, but instead of paying the landowner what was His, the vine-growers beat and kill them. They do the same to the landowner’s son. Jesus asks the priests and elders what will happen to the evil vine-growers when the landowner returns. They reply that he will bring them to a wretched end. In the subsequent section, Jesus applied the parable to the Jewish leaders as being like those evil slaves.
- Matthew 21:28-32 meaning. Jesus tells a parable about two disrespectful sons of a vineyard owner. Both are told to go work in the vineyard by their father. The first said he wouldn’t go, but later repented and did. The second said he would go, but never went. Jesus then asked the priests and elders which of the two sons actually obeyed. They gave the correct answer. Jesus then explained its meaning to everyone in the temple.
- Matthew 15:21-28 meaning. Jesus travels to the Gentile province of Tyre. A Canaanite woman begs Him to heal her daughter. At first Jesus refuses, because He was sent to Israel. But as the woman persists in her great faith, Jesus grants her request.