Luke 19:30

KJV

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].

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G2036}, Go ye {G5217} into {G1519} the village {G2968} over against {G2713} you; in {G1722} the which {G3739} at your entering {G1531} ye shall find {G2147} a colt {G4454} tied {G1210}, whereon {G1909}{G3739} yet never {G3762} man {G444} sat {G2523}{G4455}: loose {G3089} him {G846}, and bring {G71} him hither.

Complete Jewish Bible

instructing them, “Go into the village ahead; on entering it, you will find a colt tied up that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here.

Berean Standard Bible

saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.

American Standard Version

saying, Go your way into the village over against you; in which as ye enter ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat: loose him, and bring him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 19:30 captures a moment of profound divine foreknowledge and meticulous orchestration as Jesus prepares for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This verse details Jesus' precise instructions to two disciples to retrieve a specific colt from a nearby village—an animal that had never been ridden—setting the stage for the dramatic fulfillment of ancient messianic prophecy and revealing His sovereign authority over all circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative leading up to Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, immediately following the parable of the minas (Luke 19:11-27) and preceding the Triumphal Entry itself (Luke 19:28-44). The parable of the minas emphasized accountability and the nature of the kingdom, preparing the disciples for the King's arrival. Luke 19:28 explicitly states Jesus "went before, ascending up to Jerusalem," indicating His intentional and purposeful journey towards His destiny. Verse 29 then sets the scene geographically, mentioning Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, before Jesus dispatches the disciples with the instructions found in verse 30 and following. This precise command for the colt serves as the immediate prelude to the public declaration of His messianic kingship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' entry into Jerusalem occurred during Passover, a time when the city would have been teeming with pilgrims, all anticipating the Messiah. Jewish expectations for the Messiah were often tied to a conquering king who would liberate Israel from Roman rule, perhaps riding a warhorse. However, the prophecy in [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - Prophecy of the King on a Donkey") spoke of a king coming "lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." The detail that the colt had never been ridden (Luke 19:30) was significant in ancient cultures, as unridden animals were often considered pure and consecrated for sacred use, making them suitable for royal or divine purposes. This choice of transport underscored Jesus' humble, peaceful kingship, contrasting sharply with popular political expectations.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 19:30 contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrates Jesus' **divine foreknowledge and sovereignty**. His precise instructions about the colt's location and condition highlight His omniscience and control over events, signaling that His journey to Jerusalem is not accidental but divinely orchestrated. Secondly, it underscores the **fulfillment of prophecy**, specifically the messianic prophecy of [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - The King Comes on a Donkey"). This deliberate act confirms Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah. Thirdly, the disciples' immediate and unquestioning **obedience** to what might have seemed an unusual command serves as a model of faith and trust in Christ's authority. Finally, the choice of a humble colt rather than a warhorse emphasizes the **humility of the Messiah** and the peaceful nature of His kingdom, a theme consistently presented throughout Luke, from the angelic announcement to the shepherds in [Luke 2:10-14](/luke/2-10-14 "Luke 2:10-14 - The Angelic Proclamation") to Jesus' teachings on servanthood in [Luke 22:24-27](/luke/22-24-27 "Luke 22:24-27 - True Greatness in Service").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **tied (Greek, _déō'_):** From G1210, a primary verb meaning "to bind" in various applications, literally or figuratively. In this context, it literally refers to the colt being physically bound, indicating its availability and readiness for Jesus' specific purpose. The fact that it was "tied" suggests a pre-arranged or divinely orchestrated scenario, not a random discovery.
* **find (Greek, _heurískō'_):** From G2147, meaning "to find" (literally or figuratively), "get," "obtain," "perceive," or "see." Jesus' command to "find" implies that the disciples would discover something already present and prepared, reinforcing the idea of divine pre-arrangement rather than a search for something unknown or non-existent. It speaks to the certainty of the outcome.
* **colt (Greek, _pōlos'_):** From G4454, apparently a primary word for a "foal" or "filly," specifically a young ass. This word choice is crucial as it directly aligns with the prophecy in [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - The Prophecy of the King on a Donkey"), which specifies a young donkey. The youth of the animal, combined with the detail that it had never been ridden, underscores its purity and suitability for a sacred purpose, particularly for the Messiah's entry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, Go ye into the village over against you;"**: Jesus issues a direct command to His disciples, indicating a specific, nearby location. This precision immediately signals His foreknowledge and authority, directing His followers to a place He already knows holds significance for His mission. The phrase "over against you" implies a village directly opposite their current position, easily visible or accessible.
* **"in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied,"**: This clause provides further specific details, assuring the disciples of what they will encounter. The certainty of "ye shall find" emphasizes Jesus' omniscience. The detail of the "colt tied" suggests a state of readiness and availability, implying divine provision rather than a chance discovery. It highlights the pre-ordained nature of the event.
* **"whereon yet never man sat:"**: This is a critical detail, emphasizing the colt's unique suitability. An animal that had never been ridden was considered pure and consecrated, making it fit for sacred use or for a king. This detail not only fulfills prophecy but also underscores the dignity and holiness of the one who would ride it, signifying Jesus' divine status and the sacred nature of His entry.
* **"loose him, and bring him hither."**: The final part of the command provides clear instructions for the disciples' action. "Loose him" implies the colt is bound, and "bring him hither" directs them to bring the animal directly to Jesus. This demonstrates Jesus' active orchestration of the events, ensuring His messianic entry proceeds according to His divine plan.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 19:30 employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus' precise instructions and foreknowledge of the colt's location and condition foreshadow His divine power and control over all circumstances, leading directly to the Triumphal Entry and His ultimate purpose in Jerusalem. **Symbolism** is also central, with the unridden colt symbolizing purity, consecration, and the humble nature of Jesus' kingship, contrasting with the worldly expectations of a conquering hero. The act of riding an ass, rather than a warhorse, serves as a powerful **antithesis** to conventional royal entries, highlighting Jesus' unique, peaceable, and spiritual reign. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as a **fulfillment motif**, explicitly linking Jesus' actions to ancient prophecy, thereby authenticating His messianic identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 19:30 is a profound testament to Jesus' divine sovereignty and meticulous planning, revealing that His journey to the cross was not a series of unfortunate events but a divinely orchestrated fulfillment of redemptive history. This passage underscores that God is intimately involved in the details of His plan, down to the specific animal chosen for the Messiah's entry. It highlights the intersection of divine foreknowledge and human agency, as the disciples' obedience facilitates God's perfect will. The unridden colt symbolizes not only the purity and consecration suitable for the Son of God but also the humble and peaceful nature of His kingdom, which stands in stark contrast to earthly power and might. This event sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation between God's kingdom and the world's expectations, culminating in Jesus' sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection.

* [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - Prophecy of the King on a Donkey")
* [Matthew 21:1-7](/matthew/21-1-7 "Matthew 21:1-7 - The Triumphal Entry Account")
* [John 12:14-16](/john/12-14-16 "John 12:14-16 - Jesus Rides on a Young Donkey")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 19:30 offers rich soil for reflection on our own walk of faith. Just as Jesus knew the precise location and condition of the colt, He possesses perfect knowledge of our lives, our circumstances, and the path He has laid out for us. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereign plan, even when His instructions seem unusual or the way ahead is unclear. The disciples' immediate and unquestioning obedience, despite the peculiar nature of the request, serves as a powerful example. It reminds us that faith often involves stepping out in response to God's word, even without full comprehension of the outcome. Furthermore, the use of an ordinary, unridden colt for such a momentous occasion speaks to God's tendency to use humble means and seemingly insignificant details to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. We are encouraged to recognize that God can use us, in our ordinary lives and circumstances, to fulfill His grand design, if we are willing to be "loosed" from our own agendas and "brought" into His service.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust more deeply in God's specific foreknowledge and sovereign plan, even when the details are not yet clear to you?**
* **How does the disciples' immediate obedience to Jesus' unusual command challenge your own readiness to respond to God's leading?**
* **Considering that Jesus used an unridden colt for His triumphant entry, how might God be calling you to embrace humility or to be used in ways that seem ordinary but are part of His extraordinary purpose?**

### FAQ
**Why was it important that the colt had "never man sat" on it?**

Answer: The detail that the colt had "never man sat" on it (Greek: _eph' hon oudepōpote anthrōpōn ekathisen_) is highly significant for several reasons. In ancient cultures, an animal that had never been ridden or used for labor was often considered pure, consecrated, and therefore suitable for sacred purposes or for a king's use. This tradition is seen elsewhere in scripture, such as when a red heifer without blemish, "upon which never came yoke," was used for purification rituals in [Numbers 19:2](/numbers/19-2 "Numbers 19:2 - Red Heifer for Purification"). For Jesus, riding an unridden colt underscored His divine status and the holiness of the event. It symbolized that this animal was set apart specifically for Him and His unique mission, further emphasizing His identity as the Messiah and the sacred nature of His entry into Jerusalem.

**Why did Jesus need a colt for His entry into Jerusalem?**

Answer: Jesus needed a colt primarily to fulfill messianic prophecy and to convey a specific message about the nature of His kingdom. The prophet Zechariah foretold that the King of Zion would come "lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass" ([Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - Prophecy of the King on a Donkey")). By deliberately choosing a donkey's colt rather than a warhorse, Jesus presented Himself not as a conquering military king, which many Jews expected, but as the King of peace and humility. This act was a public, visual declaration of His messianic identity in accordance with scripture, distinguishing His kingdom from earthly, violent empires. The disciples' later understanding of this fulfillment is noted in [John 12:16](/john/12-16 "John 12:16 - Disciples Understand Prophecy").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 19:30, with its depiction of Jesus' divine foreknowledge and sovereign orchestration of His entry into Jerusalem on a humble colt, profoundly points to Christ's identity and redemptive work. This seemingly simple act is a deliberate fulfillment of prophecy, establishing Jesus as the promised King, yet one whose reign is characterized by humility and peace, not worldly power. The unridden colt symbolizes His purity and consecration as the spotless Lamb of God, who would ultimately offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Just as Jesus knew the precise location of the colt, He knows the intricate details of humanity's fallen state and the perfect plan for redemption, a plan conceived before the foundation of the world ([Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen Before the Foundation of the World")). His entry on the colt foreshadows His ultimate triumph, not through military might, but through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, which secures true peace and eternal kingship ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). The King who rode into Jerusalem on a colt is the same King who will one day return, not in humility, but in power and great glory, to establish His eternal kingdom ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Thus, Luke 19:30 is a beautiful microcosm of the Gospel, revealing Christ as the sovereign, humble, and redemptive King.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 22:8

And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

Luke 22:13

And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

John 14:29

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Luke 19:32

And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.

1 Samuel 10:2

When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

1 Samuel 10:9

¶ And it was [so], that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.