Matthew 21:4

KJV

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

All {G1161}{G3650} this {G5124} was done {G1096}, that {G2443} it might be fulfilled {G4137} which {G3588} was spoken {G4483} by {G1223} the prophet {G4396}, saying {G3004},

Complete Jewish Bible

This happened in order to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet,

Berean Standard Bible

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

American Standard Version

Now this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 21:4 serves as a pivotal interpretive statement, explicitly declaring that Jesus' deliberate actions in orchestrating His entry into Jerusalem were a direct and intentional fulfillment of ancient prophetic Scripture. This verse immediately follows Jesus' instructions to His disciples concerning the retrieval of a donkey and a colt, framing the subsequent Triumphal Entry not as a spontaneous event, but as a divinely orchestrated act designed to demonstrate His identity as the promised Messiah and King, precisely as foretold centuries earlier.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 21:4 is strategically placed within the narrative of Jesus' final approach to Jerusalem, immediately preceding the Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-11). Verses 1-3 describe Jesus' specific instructions to two disciples to find a donkey and a colt, emphasizing the precise details of their location and the response they should give if questioned. Verse 4 then provides the interpretive key, explaining *why* these seemingly mundane instructions are significant: they are for the fulfillment of prophecy. This verse acts as Matthew's theological commentary on the preceding actions, preparing the reader to understand the deeper, divinely purposed meaning of Jesus' entry. The subsequent events, including the crowds' acclamation and Jesus' actions in the temple, are then understood through this lens of prophetic fulfillment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' entry into Jerusalem occurs during the week of Passover, a time when the city swelled with Jewish pilgrims anticipating the celebration of their liberation from Egypt. This created a highly charged atmosphere, ripe with messianic expectations. The common expectation for a messianic king was one who would arrive on a warhorse, leading a military overthrow of the Roman oppressors, akin to a conquering hero. However, Jesus deliberately chooses to ride on a donkey, an animal associated with peace and humility, yet also with kingship in ancient Near Eastern tradition (e.g., Solomon rode a mule to his coronation in [1 Kings 1:33](/1_kings/1-33 "1 Kings 1:33 - Solomon's Coronation")). This choice subtly yet powerfully subverted popular expectations while perfectly aligning with the specific prophecy of a humble, righteous king.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 21:4 is a cornerstone for several major themes in Matthew's Gospel. The most prominent is the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, which is a recurring motif throughout Matthew, emphasizing Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who perfectly embodies the Old Testament expectations (e.g., [Matthew 1:22-23](/matthew/1-22-23 "Matthew 1:22-23 - Prophecy of Immanuel")). This verse underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Purpose**, highlighting that Jesus' life and ministry were not accidental but meticulously planned and executed according to God's eternal design. Every detail, down to the mode of transportation, served a greater redemptive purpose. Furthermore, it reinforces Jesus' **Messianic Identity** as the King of Israel, though His kingship is defined by humility and peace rather than worldly power, fulfilling the vision of a righteous yet lowly ruler found in passages like [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - The King Comes on a Donkey").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **done (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb signifies "to come into being," "to happen," or "to be brought to pass." In this context, it emphasizes that the events leading up to and including Jesus' entry were not random occurrences but purposeful actions that came to fruition. It implies a divine agency behind the unfolding events, indicating that these things *happened* precisely because God intended them to.
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** Meaning "to make replete," "to complete," or "to bring to pass," this word is crucial. It denotes that the prophecy reached its intended and perfect culmination in Jesus' actions. It's not merely a coincidence or a loose parallel, but a precise and intentional completion of what was foretold, emphasizing the accuracy and reliability of God's prophetic word.
* **prophet (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** This term refers to a "foreteller" or "inspired speaker." By attributing the spoken word to "the prophet," Matthew grounds Jesus' actions firmly in the authoritative tradition of God's revealed word through His chosen messengers. It signifies that the events are not just historical occurrences but are part of a larger divine narrative, testifying to the continuity between the Old Testament promises and their New Testament realization in Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All this was done,"**: This opening phrase refers directly to the preceding actions described in Matthew 21:1-3, namely Jesus' instructions to His disciples to find and bring Him a donkey and a colt. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the divine orchestration, indicating that every detail of this event, from the specific animals to their retrieval, was part of a larger, intentional plan.
* **"that it might be fulfilled"**: This clause introduces the purpose or result of "all this." The conjunction "that" (Greek _hína_) explicitly states the teleological intent behind Jesus' actions. It was not merely a historical event, but an event *designed* to bring about the fulfillment of prophecy, underscoring the divine intentionality and the precision with which God's word comes to pass.
* **"which was spoken by the prophet,"**: This phrase identifies the source of the prophecy being fulfilled. Matthew, writing primarily to a Jewish audience, frequently highlights Jesus' alignment with Old Testament prophecy to affirm His messianic claims. While the specific prophet is not named in this verse, the subsequent verse (Matthew 21:5) explicitly quotes from Zechariah 9:9, making the connection clear. This attribution reinforces the authority and divine origin of the prophetic word.
* **"saying,"**: This final word serves as an introduction to the direct quotation of the prophecy itself, which follows in Matthew 21:5. It acts as a bridge, signaling to the reader that the exact words of the prophet are about to be presented, thereby demonstrating the precise nature of the fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 21:4 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is the **Fulfillment Formula**, which is a characteristic feature of Matthew's Gospel. By stating "All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet," Matthew uses a recurring phrase (or variations thereof) to underscore the precise alignment of Jesus' life and ministry with Old Testament prophecy. This formula serves as an interpretive key, guiding the reader to understand Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Furthermore, the use of the **Divine Passive** ("was done," "might be fulfilled," "was spoken") subtly points to God as the ultimate agent behind these events, even when human actors are involved. This linguistic choice emphasizes God's sovereign control over history and His unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan. There is also an element of **Irony** in the humble nature of the fulfillment, as the King of Glory enters not on a warhorse as expected of a conquering hero, but on a lowly donkey, fulfilling a prophecy that challenges conventional notions of power and majesty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 21:4 profoundly underscores the reliability and authority of God's Word. It teaches that God's promises, articulated through His prophets centuries prior, are not mere suggestions but divine decrees that infallibly come to pass. This meticulous fulfillment in Jesus' life testifies to God's unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign control over history. It reinforces the understanding that Jesus' identity as the Messiah is not self-proclaimed but divinely attested through the testimony of Scripture. This verse invites believers to trust in the trustworthiness of God's plan, even when its unfolding might seem unconventional or contrary to human expectations, knowing that every detail serves His ultimate purpose of redemption.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes His Purpose")
* [2 Peter 1:20-21](/2_peter/1-20-21 "2 Peter 1:20-21 - Prophecy from God")
* [Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Fulfillment of Scripture")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 21:4 offers profound reassurance and a call to deeper faith for believers today. It reminds us that God is actively at work, meticulously orchestrating events to bring about His perfect will, even in the seemingly mundane details of life. Just as Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was a precise fulfillment of ancient prophecy, so too can we trust that God's promises for our lives and for the world will ultimately be realized. This verse encourages us to look beyond immediate circumstances and human expectations, recognizing God's sovereign hand in all things. It strengthens our conviction in the inerrancy and authority of Scripture, demonstrating that the Bible is not merely a collection of stories but a living testament to God's faithfulness, where every word finds its ultimate meaning and fulfillment in Christ. Our faith is grounded in a God who keeps His word, inviting us to live with confident expectation and to align our lives with His unfolding purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the explicit statement of prophetic fulfillment in Matthew 21:4 deepen your trust in the reliability of God's Word?**
* **In what ways might our modern expectations of God's work differ from His actual methods, as exemplified by Jesus' humble entry?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereign orchestration of events, as seen in this verse, impact your perspective on current challenges or uncertainties in your life?**
* **What specific actions can you take to better align your daily life with the recognition of Jesus as the prophesied King, even in His humility?**

### FAQ
**What specific prophecy is Matthew 21:4 referring to?**

Answer: While Matthew 21:4 states "which was spoken by the prophet" without naming him, the very next verse, [Matthew 21:5](/matthew/21-5 "Matthew 21:5 - The Prophecy Quoted"), explicitly quotes the prophecy: "Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass." This is a direct quotation from [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - Prophecy of the King on a Donkey"), which describes the coming of Zion's king, righteous and victorious, yet humble and riding on a donkey.

**Why is it important for Matthew to emphasize the fulfillment of prophecy so often?**

Answer: Matthew's Gospel was written primarily to a Jewish audience, for whom the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy was paramount in establishing the legitimacy of the Messiah. By consistently highlighting how Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection fulfilled specific prophecies, Matthew aimed to demonstrate conclusively that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. This emphasis served to bridge the Old Covenant promises with their New Covenant realization in Christ, affirming His divine authority and identity.

**Does Jesus' riding on a donkey have any symbolic meaning beyond prophetic fulfillment?**

Answer: Yes, absolutely. Beyond fulfilling [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - The King on a Donkey"), Jesus' choice to ride on a donkey carried significant symbolic weight. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings often rode horses for war and donkeys for peaceful entries or as a sign of humility. By riding a donkey, Jesus presented Himself not as a conquering warrior king who would overthrow Roman rule (as many expected), but as a King of peace and humility, whose kingdom was "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")). This act foreshadowed His ultimate mission of spiritual salvation rather than political liberation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 21:4, in declaring the fulfillment of prophecy, powerfully points to Jesus Christ as the culmination of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate King. His humble entry into Jerusalem, meticulously orchestrated to fulfill [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - The King Comes on a Donkey"), reveals not a king who conquers by force, but one who reigns through humility and self-sacrifice. This paradox of a lowly king riding on a donkey foreshadows the greater paradox of the cross, where the King of Glory would lay down His life to secure salvation for His people ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Every detail of Jesus' life, from His birth to His death and resurrection, was divinely purposed to fulfill the Scriptures, demonstrating that He is the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Thus, Matthew 21:4 is not merely an historical note but a profound theological statement affirming Jesus as the promised Messiah, the true King who perfectly embodies God's righteous character and faithfully executes His sovereign will, ultimately establishing a spiritual kingdom that transcends earthly boundaries and endures forever ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness to His Kingdom")).

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

Zechariah 9:9

¶ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

John 12:15

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

Matthew 1:22

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Matthew 26:56

But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

John 19:36

For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

John 19:37

And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.