Luke 19:35 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.

NIV: They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

NASB: And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

CSB: Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their clothes on the donkey, they helped Jesus get on it.

NLT: So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.

KJV: And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.

NKJV: Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him.

Jesus and His disciples are on the Mount of Olives, possibly around Bethphage. Two of His disciples have returned from a village with a donkey and her colt (Matthew 21:2; Luke 19:28–33). Now, they prepare the colt for Jesus to ride.

Unlike horses, whose backs are relatively flat along their spine, donkeys' spines protrude above the level of their ribs. The colt's owners were confused as to why the disciples wanted to take the colt (Luke 19:33–34), suggesting they hadn't started training him to ride and that he came unsaddled. With a colt, whose ribcage hasn't yet filled out, it would be like riding a smallish tree branch. The cloaks might protect Jesus' robe from hair—and add a touch of nobility—but there aren't enough cloaks to make the ride comfortable.

The phrase "they set Jesus on it" might have a couple of different connotations. Considering the lack of a saddle, Jesus may have ridden side-saddle, requiring help to get up without jumping onto the colt and hurting him. If Matthew 21:7 and Mark 11:7 describe Jesus' action and not just His position, Luke's "they set" may be metaphorical, representing the act of declaring Jesus as King, readying Him to ride into His city: Jerusalem.

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.