Luke 19:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them.

NIV: Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.

NASB: So those who were sent left and found it just as He had told them.

CSB: So those who were sent left and found it just as he had told them.

NLT: So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said.

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

NKJV: So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them.

Jesus and His disciples are east of Jerusalem around the area of Bethany and Bethphage. They have come for the Passover feast along with thousands of other Jews. Until this point, they have most likely walked; there's no mention of the disciples riding or even using a pack animal. Now, however, as they prepare to enter Jerusalem, Jesus tells two disciples to "Go into the village in front of you" and bring back a donkey colt. So, they walk to the village and find the colt, just as Jesus said (Luke 19:28–31).

Matthew and Mark add other details. The colt is with its mother and the disciples bring both, suggesting the colt is quite young (Matthew 21:2, 7). The donkeys are tied up outside, in the street; they aren't inside a house or in a corral in a livery (Mark 11:4).

The point isn't in the details, however. It's that Jesus knows where the colt will be and the disciples trust Him enough to get it. When they are challenged, as Jesus warns will happen, they simply repeat the words He gave them: "The Lord has need of it," and they are allowed to take the donkeys (Luke 19:30–31, 33–34). Maybe the disciples act so willingly because they've just heard or witnessed how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11). Remaining faithful during Jesus' trials and crucifixion proves to be a much harder exercise of trust (Mark 14:50).

Luke 19:28–40 is the account of the triumphal entry when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for His final Passover. Jesus presents Himself as the King of the Jews, challenging His followers, the religious leaders, and the many celebrants to choose whether to accept or reject Him. The triumphal entry is the first passage in the so-called "presentation of Jesus in Jerusalem" (Luke 19:28—21:38) where Jesus declares His authority (Luke 19:28—21:4) and reveals the future (Luke 21:5–38). The triumphal entry is one of the few events recorded in every Gospel (Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; John 12:12–15).

Jesus approaches Jerusalem by way of Jericho. Along the road, he encounters Zacchaeus: an unusually short man and infamous tax collector. Zacchaeus responds to Jesus' invitation and demonstrates humility and repentance. Jesus gives a parable explaining a believer's obligation to encourage the spread of the gospel. Jesus enters Jerusalem to great fanfare, upsetting local Pharisees. As He rides, Jesus weeps to think of the future destruction in store for the city. He once again drives corrupt businessmen from the temple grounds. His enemies are furious, but too afraid of the adoring crowds to take direct action.

Luke 19 finishes the "travelogue of Christ to Jerusalem" and introduces His first actions there (Luke 9:51—19:27). This long passage semi-chronologically records Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and the theological reasons why He must go to the cross. It finishes here, in this chapter, with Jesus meeting Zacchaeus and the parable of the ten minas. The chapter continues with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as its king—the triumphal entry. Jesus mourns over Jerusalem, its rejection of their Messiah, and its coming destruction in AD 70. He also cleanses the temple and teaches there. In the next segments, Luke covers the last hours of Jesus' earthly life (Luke 22—23) as well as Jesus' resurrection (Luke 24).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.