Matthew 21:7

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. Matthew 21:7

As noted in a previous commentary, only Matthew focuses on both the donkey and her colt. The other three gospels focus on the colt alone because it is the animal that Jesus rode. Matthew continues with, “and they upon-set atop them the ‘cloaks, theirs’.”

Depending on the source text, the words can be confusing. There are several differences between texts. This study uses the Stephanus Textus Receptus of 1550. As for what it says, the word “they” is again referring to the disciples –

They brought ... and they upon-set.

The word “them” refers to both animals –

“the donkey and the colt ... and they upon-set atop them.”

From there, it notes the cloaks are what was upon-set atop the animals. After that, it next says, “and He upon-sat atop them.”

A new word, found only here in Scripture, is seen, epikathizó, to sit upon. It is from epi, upon, and kathizó, to sit down. Jesus is the subject, going back to the previous verse –

Having gone, also, the disciples, and having done just as He commanded them, the ‘Jesus’ ... and He upon-sat atop them. But the word “them” then further confuses scholars, as if it is referring to the donkeys, meaning Jesus sat on two donkeys. That makes no sense because the nearest antecedent is the cloaks –

“and they upon-set atop them the ‘cloaks, theirs’, and He upon-sat atop them.”

Others argue that because the cloaks were placed on both donkeys, it does refer to the cloaks, but it would still mean he had to sit atop both donkeys. Again, that has to be read into the words.

For all we know, he sat upon the cloaks on one of the donkeys, and someone else sat on the cloaks on another donkey to help keep the younger, previously unridden donkey, content to walk by its mother. It would take much more to assume Jesus sat on two donkeys than it would to figure someone else sat on the mother to keep the newly broken colt steady.

Life application: Without getting too bogged down in an overly complicated commentary, a note from Myer’s New Testament Commentary finishes the thought, saying, “it would appear that it was the dam on which Jesus rode, with the foal walking by her side.”

Why they would come to this conclusion, regardless of which source text is used, is unthinkable. Mark, Luke, and John never mention a second donkey. All of them agree that Jesus rode on the colt.

To change that because of a botched text or someone’s botched analysis, would cause a real contradiction between the gospels.

Be sure that when you read commentaries to check out several others if something seems wrong about the one you are reading. At the same time, remember that there are different texts that people use for their translations.

Little differences can cause confusion in the text. Don’t assume something is wrong in God’s word just because of something you have read or heard. Be diligent to check and then think things through, or do further study. In the end, you will inevitably find that what seemed incorrect has a reasonable explanation.

Lord God, Your word is a true treasure of delight and wonder. Help us to carefully consider it and to cherish its contents all the days of our lives. To Your glory we pray. Amen.