Matthew 21:1
New International Version
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

New Living Translation
As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.

English Standard Version
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Berean Standard Bible
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples,

Berean Literal Bible
And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

King James Bible
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

New King James Version
Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

New American Standard Bible
When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples,

NASB 1995
When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

NASB 1977
And when they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Legacy Standard Bible
And when they had approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Amplified Bible
When they approached Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples [ahead],

Christian Standard Bible
When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples,

American Standard Version
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Contemporary English Version
When Jesus and his disciples came near Jerusalem, he went to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives and sent two of them on ahead.

English Revised Version
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When they came near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead of him.

Good News Translation
As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives. There Jesus sent two of the disciples on ahead

International Standard Version
When they came near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples on ahead and

Majority Standard Bible
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples,

NET Bible
Now when they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

New Heart English Bible
When they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem, and had come to Bethphage, to the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Weymouth New Testament
When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front,

World English Bible
When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And when they came near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Berean Literal Bible
And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Young's Literal Translation
And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, unto the mount of the Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Smith's Literal Translation
And when they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, to the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, saying to them,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
AND when they drew nigh to Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto mount Olivet, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when they had drawn near to Jerusalem, and had arrived at Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

New American Bible
When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

New Revised Standard Version
When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
WHEN he came near to Jerusalem, he came to Bethphage on the side of the Mount of Olives. Jesus then sent two of his disciples,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And then as he approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, by the side of the Mount of Olives, Yeshua sent two of his disciples,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And when they drew near to Jerusalem, and had come to Bethphage, to the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Godbey New Testament
When they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent away two disciples,

Haweis New Testament
AND when they drew nigh to Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage to the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Mace New Testament
When they drew nigh to Jerusalem, and were come to Bepthphage, to the mount of Olives, Jesus dispatched two disciples,

Weymouth New Testament
When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front,

Worrell New Testament
And, when they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, to the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples.

Worsley New Testament
And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem and were come to Bethphage at the mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Triumphal Entry
1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me.…

Cross References
Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Mark 11:1-10
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two of His disciples / and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. / If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’” ...

Luke 19:29-38
As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent out two of His disciples, / saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. / If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” ...

John 12:12-16
The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. / They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” / Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written: ...

Isaiah 62:11
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”

Genesis 49:10-11
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his. / He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.

2 Kings 9:13
Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. Then they blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”

Psalm 118:25-26
O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper! / Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.

Isaiah 40:9
Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news. Raise your voice loudly, O Jerusalem, herald of good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.

Jeremiah 33:15
In those days and at that time I will cause to sprout for David a righteous Branch, and He will administer justice and righteousness in the land.

Ezekiel 17:22-23
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take a shoot from the lofty top of the cedar, and I will set it out. I will pluck a tender sprig from its topmost shoots, and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. / I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches.

Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.

Malachi 3:1
“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.


Treasury of Scripture

And when they drew near to Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, to the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

when.

Mark 11:1
And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

Luke 19:28
And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

Bethphage.

the mount.

Matthew 24:3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Matthew 26:30
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Zechariah 14:4
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

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Approached Arrived Bethphage Beth'phage Beth-Phage Bethsphage Disciples Drew Front Jerusalem Jesus Mount Mountain Nigh Olives
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Matthew 21
1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey
12. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;
17. curses the fig tree;
23. puts to silence the priests and elders,
28. and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,
33. and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.














As they approached Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the central city in Jewish religious life, the location of the Temple, and the destination for Jewish pilgrims during major feasts. This approach signifies the culmination of Jesus' ministry and His impending passion. Jerusalem is often seen as a symbol of God's presence and the center of His redemptive work. The city's significance is highlighted in prophecies such as Zechariah 9:9, which foretells the coming of a king to Jerusalem.

and came to Bethphage
Bethphage is a small village on the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem. Its name means "house of unripe figs," indicating its agricultural nature. This location is significant as it is the starting point for Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Bethphage's proximity to Jerusalem makes it a strategic location for Jesus to prepare for His entry.

on the Mount of Olives
The Mount of Olives is a ridge east of Jerusalem, significant in both Jewish and Christian eschatology. It is associated with the Messiah's coming and is the site of Jesus' ascension (Acts 1:9-12). The Mount of Olives provides a panoramic view of Jerusalem, symbolizing the connection between Jesus' ministry and the city. It is also a place of prayer and reflection for Jesus, as seen in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus sent out two disciples
Jesus' sending of two disciples reflects His authority and the importance of the task. The number two is significant in Jewish law, where two witnesses are required to establish a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15). This act demonstrates Jesus' intentional fulfillment of prophecy and His preparation for the events leading to His crucifixion. The disciples' obedience highlights the theme of discipleship and trust in Jesus' instructions.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
Central figure in the New Testament, the Messiah, who is preparing to enter Jerusalem for what will be His final week before the crucifixion.

2. Disciples
Followers of Jesus who are being sent on a specific mission to fulfill a prophecy and prepare for Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.

3. Jerusalem
The holy city, significant in Jewish history and prophecy, where Jesus will fulfill His mission of salvation.

4. Bethphage
A small village near Jerusalem, located on the Mount of Olives, significant as the starting point for Jesus' triumphal entry.

5. Mount of Olives
A ridge east of Jerusalem, often associated with significant events in Jesus' ministry and eschatological prophecies.
Teaching Points
Prophetic Fulfillment
Jesus' actions are deliberate and fulfill Old Testament prophecies, demonstrating God's faithfulness and the divine plan of salvation.

Obedience and Trust
The disciples are tasked with a seemingly unusual mission, yet they obey without question, illustrating the importance of trusting Jesus' instructions.

Preparation for Worship
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is a prelude to His ultimate sacrifice. Believers are called to prepare their hearts for worship and recognize Jesus as King.

Significance of Place
The locations mentioned are not random; they hold historical and prophetic significance, reminding us of God's sovereignty over time and events.

Role of Discipleship
The disciples' role in this event underscores the importance of being active participants in God's work, ready to serve and follow His lead.XXI.

(1) And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem.--Here again we have, as far as we can, to fill up a gap in St. Matthew's Gospel. We have to think of the journey up the narrow valley that leads from Jericho to Jerusalem. Our Lord, as before, was followed by the disciples, and they in their turn were followed by the crowds of pilgrims who were drawn to the Holy City either by the coming Passover or by wonder and curiosity to see what part the Prophet of Nazareth would take. Throughout the multitude, including the disciples, there was a feverish expectation that He would at last announce Himself as the Christ, and claim His kingdom (Luke 19:11). They reach Bethany "six days before the Passover," probably, i.e., on the Friday afternoon (John 12:1). They remain there for the Sabbath, probably in the house of Lazarus or Simon the leper (Matthew 26:6; John 12:2; and in that of the latter we have the history of the anointing, which St. Matthew relates, out of its chronological order, in Matthew 26:6-13). The point of time with which the narrative, which now becomes more continuous, opens, may be fixed at the dawn of the first day of the week, the daybreak of Palm Sunday. . . .

Verses 1-11. - Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19.) Verse 1. - We have come to the last week of our Lord's earthly life, when he made his appearance in Jerusalem as Messiah, and suffered the penalty of death. If, as is believed, his crucifixion took place on the fourteenth day of the month Nisan, the triumphal entry must be assigned to the ninth, which day was reckoned to commence at one sunset and to continue till the follow-lug evening. This is regarded as the first day of the Holy Week, and is called by Christians from very early times Palm Sunday (see on ver. 10). He had probably gone straight from Jericho to Bethany. and spent the sabbath there with his friends (Matthew 26:6; John 12:1). Bethphage. The name means House of figs, and was appropriate to a locality where such trees grew luxuriantly. The village has not been identified with certainty, though it is considered with great probability to be represented by Kefr-et-Tur, on a summit of Olivet, within the bounds of Jerusalem, i.e. two thousand cubits' distance from the city walls. Bethany is below the summit, in a nook on the western slope and somewhat further from the city. The Mount of Olives is separated from Jerusalem by the valley of the Kedron, and has three summits, the centre one being the highest; but though it is of no great elevation in itself, it stands nearly four thousand feet above the Dead Sea, from which it is distant some thirteen miles. Then sent Jesus two disciples. Their names are not given, and it is useless to conjecture who they were, though probably Peter was one of them. Alford suggests that the triumphal entry in Mark 11. is related a day too soon, and that our Lord made two entries into Jerusalem - the first a private one (Mark 11:11), and the second, public, on the morrow But there is no sufficient reason to discredit the common tradition, and St. Mark's language can be otherwise explained. The deliberate preparation for t. he procession, and the intentional publicity, so contrary to Christ's usual habits, are very remarkable, and can be explained only by the fact that he was now assuming the character and claims of Messiah, and putting himself forward in his true dignity and office as "King of the Jews." By this display he made manifest that in him prophecy was fulfilled, and that the seeing eye and the believing heart might now find all that righteous men had long and wearily desired. This was the great opportunity which his mercy offered to Jerusalem, if only she would accept it and turn it to account. In fact, she acknowledged him as King one day, and then rejected and crucified him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
As
ὅτε (hote)
Adverb
Strong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.

they drew near
ἤγγισαν (ēngisan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1448: Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Jerusalem
Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosolyma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2414: The Greek form of the Hebrew name: Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Hierosolyma

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

came
ἦλθον (ēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Bethphage
Βηθφαγὴ (Bēthphagē)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 967: Of Chaldee origin; fig-house; Beth-phage, a place in Palestine.

on
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Mount
ὄρος (oros)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3735: A mountain, hill. Probably from an obsolete oro; a mountain: -hill, mount(-ain).

of Olives,
Ἐλαιῶν (Elaiōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 1636: An olive tree; the Mount of Olives. Feminine of a presumed derivative from an obsolete primary; an olive.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

sent out
ἀπέστειλεν (apesteilen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 649: From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.

two
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

disciples.
μαθητὰς (mathētas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 21:1 When they drew near to Jerusalem (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 20:34
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