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Translation
King James Version
And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
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KJV (with Strong's)
And G1161 they went their way G565, and G2532 found G2147 the colt G4454 tied G1210 by G4314 the door G2374 without G1854 in G1909 a place where two ways met G296; and G2532 they loose G3089 him G846.
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Complete Jewish Bible
They went off and found a colt in the street tied in a doorway, and they untied it.
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Berean Standard Bible
So they went and found the colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. They untied it,
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American Standard Version
And they went away, and found a colt tied at the door without in the open street; and they loose him.
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World English Bible Messianic
They went away, and found a young donkey tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And they went their way, and found a colt tyed by the doore without, in a place where two wayes met, and they loosed him.
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Young's Literal Translation
And they went away, and found the colt tied at the door without, by the two ways, and they loose it,
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In the KJVVerse 24,645 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Mark 11:4 meticulously records the immediate and precise fulfillment of Jesus's instructions by His disciples, demonstrating His divine foreknowledge and authority. As commanded, they readily located the specific colt, tied in a public, easily identifiable spot, setting the stage for Jesus's humble yet kingly entry into Jerusalem, an event pregnant with prophetic significance and theological depth.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is the direct and immediate response to Jesus's detailed instructions given in Mark 11:1-3. Jesus had sent two disciples ahead from Bethphage and Bethany, instructing them to find a colt tied at a specific location, which no one had ridden, and to bring it to Him. He even provided them with the precise words to use if questioned: "The Lord has need of him." Mark 11:4 serves as the narrative's swift confirmation that the disciples acted exactly as commanded and found the situation precisely as foretold. It bridges Jesus's prophetic word with its physical manifestation, preparing the way for the momentous Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. The narrative emphasizes Jesus's control over circumstances and His disciples' unwavering obedience.

  • Historical & Cultural Context: The setting is the approach to Jerusalem for the Passover festival, a time when the city would be bustling with pilgrims. Bethphage and Bethany were villages on the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem, making the journey into the city a short one. The act of riding a donkey or colt into a city was not uncommon for travelers, but for a king or dignitary, it carried specific symbolic weight, particularly in the Jewish tradition. Unlike a warhorse, which symbolized military conquest, a donkey symbolized peace and humility. The mention of the colt being "tied by the door without in a place where two ways met" suggests a common, public location, perhaps a village square or a well-trafficked intersection, where animals might be temporarily left. This detail highlights the public nature of the event and the precise knowledge Jesus possessed, which would have been remarkable to the disciples.

  • Key Themes: Mark 11:4 powerfully underscores several key themes central to Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights Jesus's Divine Foreknowledge and Authority. His ability to describe the colt's exact location and state, as well as the anticipated response of its owners, demonstrates a supernatural insight that transcends mere human prediction, affirming His divine nature and sovereign control over all creation. Secondly, the verse illustrates the theme of Prophetic Fulfillment. While Mark does not explicitly quote it here, the entire episode of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem directly fulfills the ancient prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, which describes Zion's king coming "lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." This fulfillment validates Jesus's messianic claims in a public and undeniable way. Lastly, the Disciples' Obedience is a prominent theme. Their immediate and unquestioning action, finding everything precisely as Jesus had described in Mark 11:2-3, serves as a profound example of faith and submission to Christ's authority, even when the instructions seem unusual or the outcome uncertain.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • found (Greek, heurískō', G2147): A prolonged form of a primary verb, meaning to find (literally or figuratively); to get, obtain, perceive, or see. In this context, it emphasizes the disciples' successful discovery of the colt exactly as Jesus had foretold, highlighting the precision of His divine knowledge and the accuracy of their obedient search.
  • colt (Greek, pōlos', G4454): Apparently a primary word; a "foal" or "filly," specifically referring to a young ass. This term emphasizes the animal's youth and likely its unbroken nature, reinforcing the detail in Mark 11:2 that "never man sat." The choice of a young, unridden animal adds to the significance of Jesus's entry, symbolizing His unique authority and the newness of His kingdom.
  • place where two ways met (Greek, ámphodon', G296): From the base of amphóteros (both) and hodós (way); a fork in the road, a crossroads, or an open square. This detail indicates a public, easily accessible location, not a hidden or obscure spot. The specificity of the location further underscores Jesus's precise foreknowledge and makes the disciples' discovery a publicly verifiable event.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And they went their way": This opening clause immediately conveys the disciples' prompt and unquestioning obedience. Without hesitation or debate, they set out to fulfill Jesus's instructions, demonstrating a trust in His word that is foundational to discipleship. Their action is a direct response to the command given in Mark 11:2.
  • "and found the colt tied by the door without": This part of the verse details the precise fulfillment of Jesus's prophecy. The disciples found the animal exactly as described: a "colt," "tied," and specifically "by the door without" (outside a dwelling or gate). This exact match between prophecy and reality serves to validate Jesus's divine authority and omniscience. The detail of it being "tied" suggests it was readily available and awaiting their arrival.
  • "in a place where two ways met": This further specifies the location, identifying it as a public crossroads or square. This detail not only confirms Jesus's accurate foreknowledge but also implies a public setting for this miraculous fulfillment, making the event observable and undeniable to anyone passing by. It emphasizes that this was not a private or clandestine act, but one performed in plain sight.
  • "and they loose him": The final action described is the disciples' immediate and decisive act of untying the colt. This signifies the completion of their mission and their preparation for Jesus's triumphal entry. It also subtly hints at the "loosing" power of Christ, who would soon "loose" humanity from the bonds of sin and death.

Literary Devices

Mark 11:4 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. Verisimilitude is evident in the highly specific details provided regarding the colt's location ("tied by the door without in a place where two ways met"). These precise geographical and situational descriptors lend a strong sense of reality and eyewitness authenticity to the narrative, making the event feel tangible and believable. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful example of Fulfillment, showcasing the immediate and exact realization of Jesus's prophetic words from Mark 11:2-3. This direct correspondence between word and deed underscores Jesus's divine authority and foreknowledge. Finally, there is a subtle use of Symbolism in the act of "loosing" the colt. While literally referring to untying the animal, it can also be seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus's broader mission to "loose" humanity from the bonds of sin and spiritual captivity, preparing the way for His kingdom.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Mark 11:4, in its simple declaration of fulfilled prophecy, profoundly reinforces the theological truth of Jesus's divine sovereignty and meticulous control over all circumstances. It is not merely a logistical detail but a demonstration of God's perfect plan unfolding precisely as foretold, down to the smallest particular. This divine precision assures believers that God's promises and purposes, whether for salvation or daily provision, are utterly reliable. The disciples' immediate obedience, born of trust in Jesus's word, models the kind of faith that responds without hesitation to the Lord's commands, knowing that His instructions are always purposeful and ultimately lead to the manifestation of His will. This passage therefore serves as a powerful reminder of the efficacy of divine foreknowledge and the importance of human faithfulness.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Mark 11:4 invites us to contemplate the profound implications of Jesus's divine knowledge and the simple yet powerful act of obedience. Just as the disciples found the colt exactly where and how Jesus had described, we are reminded that God's word is always true and His plans are meticulously orchestrated. This should build our confidence in His sovereignty over every detail of our lives, even when circumstances seem uncertain or His instructions unconventional. The disciples' immediate "went their way" and "loose him" without question serves as a potent example for us. In a world that often demands explanations and guarantees before action, their trust-filled obedience challenges us to surrender our need for complete understanding and simply follow where Christ leads. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of readiness and responsiveness to God's voice, trusting that His commands are always purposeful and will lead to the unfolding of His perfect will.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of your life are you currently being asked to trust God's foreknowledge and obey His instructions, even if the outcome isn't immediately clear?
  • How does the disciples' immediate and unquestioning obedience challenge your own tendencies to hesitate or seek further clarification before acting on God's word?
  • What specific "colts" (resources, opportunities, or seemingly mundane details) might God have already prepared for you, waiting for your obedient discovery and release for His purposes?

FAQ

Why was it important that the colt had never been ridden before?

Answer: The detail that the colt had "never man sat" upon it (as mentioned in Mark 11:2) is significant for several reasons. Theologically, an unridden animal was considered ceremonially pure and therefore suitable for sacred purposes, such as carrying a king or a holy person. This aligns with the idea of Jesus's unique purity and holiness. Practically, a young, unbroken animal would typically be difficult to ride, yet it carried Jesus without incident, subtly highlighting His divine authority and control over creation, even over the natural instincts of an animal. It also emphasizes the miraculous nature of the event, as the colt submitted to Him without prior training, further underscoring His unique identity as the Messiah.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Mark 11:4, while seemingly a simple logistical detail, points profoundly to Christ's divine nature and His ultimate purpose. The meticulous foreknowledge demonstrated by Jesus in knowing the exact location and condition of the colt, and the precise words to be spoken to its owners, reveals His omniscience and sovereign control, attributes belonging to God alone. This is not merely a clever prediction but a manifestation of His inherent divinity, echoing the divine wisdom and power seen in creation itself (John 1:3). The act of "loosing" the colt for His entry into Jerusalem foreshadows His greater work of "loosing" humanity from the bondage of sin and death, a liberation accomplished through His atoning sacrifice on the cross (Romans 6:6-7). Jesus, the humble King riding on a colt, fulfills ancient prophecy, but more importantly, He embodies the peaceful, redemptive reign of God, a reign not established by military might but by self-giving love and ultimate victory over spiritual enemies, culminating in His resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God (Philippians 2:8-11). Thus, the simple act of finding and loosing the colt becomes a microcosm of Christ's entire mission: to come, to conquer through humility, and to set His people free.

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Commentary on Mark 11 verses 1–11

I. II. Main points(1.) (2.) Details

We have here the story of the public entry Christ made into Jerusalem, four or five days before his death. And he came into town thus remarkably, 1. To show that he was not afraid of the power and malice of his enemies in Jerusalem. He did not steal into the city incognito, as one that durst not show his face; no, they needed not send spies to search for him, he comes in with observation. This would be an encouragement to his disciples that were timorous, and cowed at the thought of their enemies' power and rage; let them see how bravely their Master sets them all at defiance. 2. To show that he was not cast down or disquieted at the thoughts of his approaching sufferings. He came, not only publicly, but cheerfully, and with acclamations of joy. Though he was now but taking the field, and girding on the harness, yet, being fully assured of a complete victory, he thus triumphs as though he had put it off.

I. The outside of this triumph was very mean; he rode upon an ass's colt, which being an ass, looked contemptible, and made no figure; and, being but a colt, whereon never man sat, we may suppose, was rough and untrimmed, and not only so, but rude and ungovernable, and would disturb and disgrace the solemnity. This colt was borrowed too. Christ went upon the water in a borrowed boat, ate the passover in a borrowed chamber, was buried in a borrowed sepulchre, and here rode on a borrowed ass. Let not Christians scorn to be beholden one to another, and, when need is, to go a borrowing, for our Master did not. He had no rich trappings; they threw their clothes upon the colt, and so he sat upon him, Mar 11:7. The persons that attended, were mean people; and all the show they could make, was, by spreading their garments in the way (Mar 11:8), as they used to do at the feast of tabernacles. All these were marks of his humiliation; even when he would be taken notice of, he would be taken notice of for his meanness; and they are instructions to us, not to mind high things, but to condescend to them of low estate. How ill doth it become Christians to take state, when Christ was so far from affecting it!

II. The inside of this triumph was very great; not only as it was the fulfilling of the scripture (which is not taken notice of here, as it as in Matthew), but as there were several rays of Christ's glory shining forth in the midst of all this meanness. 1. Christ showed his knowledge of things distant, and his power over the wills of men, when he sent his disciples for the colt, Mar 11:1-3. By this it appears that he can do every thing, and no thought can be withholden from him. 2. He showed his dominion over the creatures in riding on a colt that was never backed. The subjection of the inferior part of the creation to man is spoken of with application to Christ (Psa 8:5, Psa 8:6, compared with Heb 2:8); for to him it is owing, and to his mediation, that we have any remaining benefit by the grant God made to man, of a sovereignty in this lower world, Gen 1:28. And perhaps Christ, in riding the ass's colt, would give a shadow of his power over the spirit of man, who is born as the wild ass's colt, Job 11:12. 3. The colt was brought from a place where two ways met (Mar 11:4), as if Christ would show that he came to direct those into the right way, who had two ways before them, and were in danger of taking the wrong. 4. Christ received the joyful hosannas of the people; that is, both the welcome they gave him and their good wishes to the prosperity of his kingdom, Mar 11:9. It was God that put it into the hearts of these people to cry Hosanna, who were not by art and management brought to it, as those were who afterward cried, Crucify, crucify. Christ reckons himself honoured by the faith and praises of the multitude, and it is God that brings people to do him this honour beyond their own intentions.

(1.)They welcomed his person (Mar 11:9); Blessed is he that cometh, the ho erchomenos, he that should come, so often promised, so long expected; he comes in the name of the Lord, as God's Ambassador to the world; Blessed be he: let him have our applauses, and best affections; he is a blessed Saviour, and brings blessings to us, and blessed be he that sent him. Let him be blessed in the name of the Lord, and let all nations and ages call him Blessed, and think and speak highly and honourably of him.

(2.)They wished well to his intent, Mar 11:10. They believed that, mean a figure as he made, he had a kingdom, which should shortly be set up in the world, that it was the kingdom of their father David (that father of his country), the kingdom promised to him and his seed for ever; a kingdom that came in the name of the Lord, supported by a divine authority. Blessed be this kingdom; let it take place, let it get ground, let it come in the power of it, and let all opposing rule, principality, and power, be put down; let it go on conquering, and to conquer. Hosanna to this kingdom; prosperity be to it; all happiness attend it. The proper signification of hosanna is that which we find, Rev 7:10. Salvation to our God, that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb; success to religion, both natural and revealed, Hosanna in the highest. Praises be to our God, who is in the highest heavens over all, God blessed for ever; or, Let him be praised by his angels, that are in the highest heavens, let our hosannas be an echo to theirs.

Christ, thus attended, thus applauded, came into the city, and went directly to the temple. Here was no banquet of wine prepared for his entertainment, nor the least refreshment; but he immediately applied himself to his work, for that was his meat and drink. He went to the temple, that the scripture might be fulfilled; "The Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, without sending any immediate notice before him; he shall surprise you with a day of visitation, for he shall be like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap," Mal 3:1-3. He came to the temple, and took a view of the present state of it, Mar 11:11. He looked round about upon all things, but as yet said nothing. He saw many disorders there, but kept silence, Psa 50:21. Though he intended to suppress them, he would not go about the doing of it all on a sudden, lest he should seem to have done it rashly; he let things be as they were for this night, intending the next morning to apply himself to the necessary reformation, and to take the day before him. We may be confident that God sees all the wickedness that is in the world, though he do not presently reckon for it, nor cast it out. Christ, having make his remarks upon what he saw in the temple, retired in the evening to a friend's house at Bethany, because there he would be more out of the noise of the town, and out of the way of being suspected, a designing to head a faction.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–11. Public domain.
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Pseudo-Jerome (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
They cry out Hosanna, that is save us, that men might be saved by Him who was blessed, and was a conqueror and came in the name of the Lord, that is, of His Father, since the Father is so called because of the Son, and the Son, because of the Father.

Or Hosanna, that is, save in the highest as well as in the lowest, that is, that the just be built on the ruin of Angels, and also that both those on the earth and those under the earth should be saved. In a mystical sense, also, the Lord approaches Jerusalem, which is 'the vision of peace,' in which happiness remains fixed and unmoved, being, as the Apostle says, the mother of all believers. (Gal. 4:26)

The disciples of Christ are called two by two, and sent two by two, since charity implies more than one, as it is written, Woe to him that is alone. (Eccl. 4:10) Two persons lead the Israelites out of Egypt: two bring down the bunch of grapes from the Holy Land, that men in authority might ever join together activity and knowledge, and bring forward two commandments from the Two Tables, and be washed from two fountains, and carry the ark of the Lord on two poles, and know the Lord between the two Cherubim, and sing to Him with both mind and spirit.

But they found the colt tied by the door without, because the Gentile people were bound by the chain of their sins before the door of faith, that is, without the Church.

Or, in a place where two roads meet, that is, in the freedom of will, hesitating between life and death.

But some said, What do ye? as if they would say, Who can remit sins?

Or else, they put upon it their garments, that is, they bring to them the first robe of immortality by the Sacrament of Baptism. And Jesus sat upon it, that is, began to reign in them, so that sin should not reign in their wanton flesh, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Again, many spread their garments in the way, under the feet of the foal of the ass. What are feet, but those who carry, and the least esteemed, whom the Apostle has set to judge? (v. 1 Cor. 6:4.) And these too, though they are not the back on which the Lord sat, yet are instructed by John with the soldiers.

For the righteous shall flourish as a palm tree, straitened in their roots, but spreading out wide with flowers and fruits; for they are a good odour unto Christ, and strew the way of the commandments of God with their good report. Those who went before are the prophets, and those who followed are the Apostles.
Justin MartyrAD 165
The First Apology, Chapter XXXII
And the prophecy, "He shall be the expectation of the nations," signified that there would be some of all nations who should look for Him to come again. And this indeed you can see for yourselves, and be convinced of by fact. For of all races of men there are some who look for Him who was crucified in Judaea, and after whose crucifixion the land was straightway surrendered to you as spoil of war. And the prophecy, "binding His foal to the vine, and washing His robe in the blood of the grape," was a significant symbol of the things that were to happen to Christ, and of what He was to do. For the foal of an ass stood bound to a vine at the entrance of a village, and He ordered His acquaintances to bring it to Him then; and when it was brought, He mounted and sat upon it, and entered Jerusalem, where was the vast temple of the Jews which was afterwards destroyed by you. And after this He was crucified, that the rest of the prophecy might be fulfilled.
Ambrose of Milan (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 397
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(in Luc. 9, 6) Or else, they found it bound before the door, because whosoever is not in Christ is without, in the way; but he who is in Christ, is not without. He has added in the way, or in a place where two ways meet, where there is no certain possession for any man, nor stall, nor food, nor stable; miserable is his service, whose rights are unfixed; for he who has not the one Master, has many. Strangers bind him that they may possess him, Christ looses him in order to keep him, for He knows that gifts are stronger ties than bonds.
John Chrysostom (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 407
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(ubi sup.) Now that the Lord had given sufficient proof of His virtue, and the cross was at hand, even at the door, He did those things which were about to excite them against Him with a greater openness; therefore although He had so often gone up to Jerusalem, He never however had done so in such a conspicuous manner as now.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
TRACTATE ON JOHN 51.6
“His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him,” that is, when he had manifested the power of his resurrection.… In short, mentally comparing with the contents of Scripture what was accomplished both prior to and in the course of our Lord’s passion, they found this also in Scripture, that it was in accordance with the utterance of the prophets that he sat on an ass’s colt.
Pseudo-Chrysostom (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 500
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(Cat. in Marc. Oxon.) Not indeed that He was compelled by necessity to ride on a colt from the mount of Olives to Jerusalem, for He had gone over Judæa and all Galilee on foot, but this action of His is typical. It goes on: And many spread their garments in the way: that is, under the feet of the colt; and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. This, however, was rather done to honour Him, and as a Sacrament, than of necessity. It goes on: And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. 2For the multitude, until it was corrupted, knew what was its duty, for which reason each honoured Jesus according to his own strength. Wherefore they praised Him, and took up the hymns of the Levites, saying, Hosanna, which according to some is the same as save me, but according to others means a hymn. I however suppose the former to be more probable, for there is in the 117th Psalm, (Ps. 118:25) Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord, which in the Hebrew is Hosanna.

(Cat. in Marc. Oxon.) Thus then they give glory to God, saying, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. They also bless the kingdom of Christ, saying, Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, which cometh.

(Cat. in Marc. Oxon.) Wherefore also the prophets so often call Christ by the name of David, on account of the descent according to the flesh of Christ from David.

(Cat. in Marc. Oxon.) And further, they give glory to God, when they add Hosanna in the highest, that is, praise and glory be to the God of all, Who is in the highest.
BedeAD 735
On the Gospel of Mark
And going, they found the colt tied outside the gate at the crossroads, and they untied it. The colt is rightly found outside the gate at the crossroads. The gate, indeed, is He who says: I am the gate for the sheep. Through me, if anyone enters he will be saved, and he will go in and out and find pasture. This colt, that is, the people of the nations, lacked these pastures of life, as they still stood tied outside this gate at the crossroads. And rightly at the crossroads, because they did not hold a certain single path of life and faith, but followed many uncertain and erring paths of heresies.
Bede (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 735
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
(in Marc. 3, 41) Bethany is a little village or town by the side of mount Olivet, where Lazarus was raised from the dead. But in what way He sent His disciples and for what purpose is shown in these words, And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you.

(ubi sup.) But Hosanna is a Hebrew word, made out of two, one imperfect the other perfect. For save, or preserve, is in their language, hosy; but anna is a supplicatory interjection, as in Latin heu is an exclamation of grief.

(ubi sup.) Now we read in the Gospel of John that He fled into a mountain, lest they should make him their king. Now, however, when He comes to Jerusalem to suffer, He does not shun those who call Him king, that He might openly teach them that He was King over an empire not temporal and earthly, but everlasting in the heavens, and that the path to this kingdom was through contempt of death. Observe also the agreement of the multitude with the saying of Gabriel, The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; (Luke 1:32) that is, that He Himself may call by word and deed to a heavenly kingdom the nation to which David once furnished the government of a temporal rule.

(ubi sup.) Bethany again means the house of obedience, because by teaching many before His Passion, he made for Himself a house of obedience; and it is said to be placed on the mount of Olives, because He cherishes His Church with the unction of spiritual gifts, and with the light of piety and knowledge. But He sent His disciples to a hold1, which was over against them, that is, He appointed doctors to penetrate into the ignorant parts of the whole world, into, as it were, the walls of the hold placed against them.

(ubi sup.) For the colt of the ass, wanton and unshackled, denotes the people of the nations, on whom no man had yet sat, because no wise doctor had, by teaching them the things of salvation, put upon them the bridle of correction, to oblige them to restrain their tongues from evil, or to compel them into the narrow path of life.

(ubi sup.) Or else, fitly did the colt stand in a place where two ways meet, because the Gentile people did not hold on in any certain road of life and faith, but followed in its error many doubtful paths of various sects.

(ubi sup.) Or else, the masters of error, who resisted the teachers, when they came to save the Gentiles; but after that the power of the faith of the Lord appeared to believers, the faithful people were freed from the cavils of the adversaries, and were brought to the Lord, whom they bore in their hearts. But by the garments of the Apostles, which they put upon it, we may understand the teaching of virtues, or the interpretation of the Scriptures, or the various doctrines of the Church, by which they clothe the hearts of men, once naked and cold and fit them to become the seats of Christ.

(ubi sup.) Or else, many strew their garments in the way, because the holy martyrs put off from themselves the garment of their own flesh, and prepare a way for the more simple servants of God with their own blood. Many also strew their garments in the way, because they tame their bodies with abstinence, that they may prepare a way for God to the mount, or may give good examples to those who follow them. And they cut down branches from the trees, who in the teaching of the truth cull the sentences of the Fathers from their words, and by their lowly preaching scatter them in the path of God, when He comes into the soul of the hearer.

(ubi sup.) And because all the elect, whether those who were able to become such in Judæa, or those who now are such in the Church, believed and now believe on the Mediator between God and man, both those who go before and those who follow cried out Hosanna.
Theophylact of Ohrid (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 1107
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
That thus, if they were willing, they might recognise His glory, and by the prophecies, which were fulfilled concerning Him, know that He is very God; and that if they would not, they might receive a greater judgment, for not having believed so many wonderful miracles. Describing therefore this illustrious entrance, the Evangelist says, And when they came nigh unto Jerusalem, and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples.

Now consider how many things the Lord foretold to His disciples, that they should find a colt; wherefore it goes on, And as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat, loose him, and bring him; and that they should be impeded in taking it, wherefore there follows, And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye, The Lord hath need of him; and that on saying this, they should be allowed to take him; wherefore there follows, And straightway he will send him hither; and as the Lord had said, so it was fulfilled. Thus it goes on: And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without, in a place where two ways meet; and they loose him.

But they would not have allowed this, if the Divine power had not been upon them, to compel them, especially, as they were country people and farmers, and yet allowed them to take away the colt. It goes on: And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

But they called the kingdom of Christ, that of David, both because Christ was descended from the seed of David, and because David means a man of a strong hand. For whose hand is stronger than the Lord's, by which so many and so great miracles were wrought.

The colt, however, was not necessary to Him, but He sent for it to show that He would transfer Himself to the Gentiles.

Or else, in a place where two roads meet, that is, in this life, but it was loosed by the disciples, through faith and baptism.

Or else, those who prevent them are the devils, who were weaker than the Apostles.

Let us also strew the way of our life with branches which we cut from the trees, that is, imitate the saints, for these are holy trees, from which, he who imitates their virtues cuts down branches.

But both those of our deeds which go before and those which follow after must be done to the glory of God; for some in their past life make a good beginning, but their following life does not correspond with their former, neither does it end to the glory of God.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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