Lexical Summary pólos: Axis, pole, or pivot Original Word: πόλος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance colt. Apparently a primary word; a "foal" or "filly", i.e. (specially), a young ass -- colt. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a foal NASB Translation colt (12). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4454: πῶλοςπῶλος, πωλου, ὁ (in classical Greek ἡ also) (Latinpullus, O. H. G. folo, English foal; perhaps allied with παῖς; cf. Curtius, § 387); 1. a colt, the young of the horse: so very often from Homer down. 2. universally, a young creature: Aelian v. h. 4, 9; specifically, of the young of various animals; in the N. T. of a young ass, an ass's colt: Matthew 21:2, 5, 7; Mark 11:2,(3 L marginal reading),4,5,7; Luke 19:30, 33, 35; John 12:15 (also in Geoponica); the Sept. several times for עַיִר; for יַעֲלָה a female ibex, Proverbs 5:19. Greek 4454 occurs twelve times, all within the fourfold record of the Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12). In every instance the term designates the young, never-ridden donkey on which Jesus entered Jerusalem. No other New Testament scene employs the word, underscoring its tight connection to a single prophetic moment. Prophetic Background Zechariah 9:9 had long promised, “See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”. By choosing precisely such an animal, the Lord purposely presented Himself as the Messianic King foretold. The evangelists point to that prophecy either by direct quotation (Matthew 21:5; John 12:15) or by clear allusion (Mark 11; Luke 19), showing that the event was not incidental but orchestrated fulfillment. Messianic Humility and Peace Kings customarily rode war-horses. Scripture’s King enters on a colt, signaling humility and peace. The animal’s youth adds a note of vulnerability; the crowd’s acclaim (“Hosanna to the Son of David!” Matthew 21:9) confirms that the lowly mount in no way diminished His royal status. Instead, it revealed the character of His reign: gentle, saving, yet authoritative (cf. Zechariah 9:10, where the peace extends “to the ends of the earth”). Sanctified for Divine Use Mark 11:2 and Luke 19:30 stress that the colt was one “on which no one has ever sat.” According to Numbers 19:2 and Deuteronomy 21:3, animals never before employed in common labor could be set apart for sacred purposes. The unbroken colt thus parallels other consecrated animals and subtly hints at Christ Himself—holy, unstained, uniquely suited to bear the saving purposes of God. Obedience of Disciples and Owners When the disciples untied the colt, bystanders asked, “Why are you untying the colt?” (Luke 19:33). The simple answer, “The Lord needs it,” satisfied them. The episode illustrates willingness to release possessions for Kingdom service, reinforcing a broader New Testament pattern (Acts 2:45; Philippians 4:14-18). It also points to Christ’s lordship over all creation: even an animal never ridden responds docilely when the true King sits upon it. Unity of the Gospel Witness Matthew mentions both the donkey and the colt, reflecting the full wording of Zechariah; Mark, Luke, and John focus on the colt alone. None conflict—each highlights a different facet. Taken together, they provide a harmonized, multi-angled testimony that strengthens rather than weakens confidence in Scripture’s reliability. Christological Significance The colt episode bridges the public acclamation of Palm Sunday and the suffering of Good Friday. The same crowd that shouts “Hosanna” shortly afterward cries “Crucify Him!” (Matthew 27:22-23). The humble mount therefore anticipates Philippians 2:6-8, where the eternal Son “emptied Himself” and “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death.” The colt is both throne and visual sermon: the King conquers by meekness, not by military force. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Availability: Ordinary resources, when yielded to Christ (“The Lord needs it”), become vehicles of divine purpose. Historical and Cultural Note In first-century Judea the donkey was a symbol of peaceful rule (contrast the horse, symbol of war). Solomon likewise rode David’s mule at his coronation (1 Kings 1:33-44). By selecting a colt, Jesus deliberately evoked royal precedent while distinguishing His kingdom from the militant nationalism many expected. Thematic Links in Salvation History • Promise: Zechariah 9 announces a coming King of peace. Summary Greek 4454 points the reader to the colt of Palm Sunday—a small detail with immense theological weight. Its twelvefold New Testament appearance ties together prophecy, Christ’s character, discipleship, and the unity of the Gospel record, all converging on the truth that the King “gentle and mounted on a colt” is the very Lord who saves. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 21:2 N-AMSGRK: δεδεμένην καὶ πῶλον μετ' αὐτῆς NAS: tied [there] and a colt with her; untie KJV: tied, and a colt with her: INT: tied and a colt with her Matthew 21:5 N-AMS Matthew 21:7 N-AMS Mark 11:2 N-AMS Mark 11:4 N-AMS Mark 11:5 N-AMS Mark 11:7 N-AMS Luke 19:30 N-AMS Luke 19:33 N-AMS Luke 19:33 N-AMS Luke 19:35 N-AMS John 12:15 N-AMS |
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