How does Matthew 21:4–7 reconcile Jesus riding both a donkey and a colt, unlike the single animal mentioned in other Gospels?

Scriptural Context

Matthew 21:4–7 states, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to the Daughter of Zion, “Look, your King is coming to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”’ So the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.” In Mark 11:7, Luke 19:35, and John 12:14, the mention of only one animal—specifically the colt—raises a question about how these passages fit together. Yet reading them in a holistic way clarifies that the alleged discrepancy can be reconciled without conflict.

Immediate Literary and Prophetic Context

Matthew highlights that the procuring of both a donkey and her colt is the direct fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. This Old Testament prophecy uses Hebrew poetic parallelism: “on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Poetic parallelism often repeats or intensifies an idea by phrasing it in two similar ways.

By including both animals, Matthew remains faithful to this prophetic texture. The mother donkey was likely there to steady the younger colt and fulfill the precise language of the prophecy in a visible, dramatic manner. The other Gospels focus on the primary animal that Jesus actually rode, which was the colt, providing a more condensed account but not contradicting Matthew’s emphasis on the prophecy’s poetic detail.

Harmony with the Other Gospels

• Mark 11:2, Luke 19:30, and John 12:14 specifically mention Jesus riding on a “colt.” As the colt was the direct focus of the action, the mother donkey naturally falls out of the foreground.

• Matthew’s mention of two animals does not negate that Jesus rode primarily on the colt; Matthew merely records the comprehensive details of the event. The disciples retrieved both animals, “and Jesus sat on them” (Matthew 21:7) clarifies that the cloaks were spread on both, though Jesus would occupy the one (the colt) suitable for riding.

Explanation of “Sat on Them”

The phrase “sat on them” (Matthew 21:7) can be understood as Jesus sitting on the garments placed on the colt, while the mother donkey was alongside. In Greek grammar, antecedents often refer to the nearest logical object. “Them” (plural) matches “the cloaks” more directly than it does the two animals.

In ancient cultures, travelers sometimes had multiple animals along (the mother and her foal) without necessarily riding both. It allowed the one being ridden (especially a young colt) to remain calm under guidance.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Historical Veracity

• Zechariah 9:9: Dead Sea Scrolls fragments (e.g., 4QXII) and other manuscript traditions verify the authentic reading of Zechariah’s prophecy. The consistency found in these ancient sources supports the trustworthiness of the detail recorded by Matthew.

• The purposeful fulfillment of this prophecy underscores the Messianic claim. During the triumphal entry, Jesus intentionally fulfilled credentials that only the Messiah could fulfill, emphasizing the thorough alignment of the Gospel accounts.

Archaeological and Documentary Evidence for Consistency

• Ancient Jewish writings and archaeological findings in regions around Jerusalem (including donkey bones, stables, and jars with inscriptions) highlight how donkeys were among the most common means of transport, which lends credence to the historicity of these accounts.

• Manuscript evidence across multiple families (Alexandrian, Byzantine, etc.) consistently preserves the text of Matthew indicating two animals, with no major textual variants that challenge the mention of the donkey and the colt. This uniformity in manuscript evidence testifies to the reliability of the Gospel accounts.

Textual and Literary Considerations

• Poetic Parallelism in Prophecy: Hebrew literature employs repetition to heighten emphasis. Matthew’s usage of the full phrase from Zechariah 9:9 is characteristic of Jewish literary style, whereas Mark, Luke, and John condense the narrative.

• No Contradiction: The differences in details between Gospel accounts frequently display the unique vantage points of each author. Ancient biographical records often focused selectively on certain aspects of an event; one writer may highlight multiple participants (in this case, the donkey and colt), and another may focus on the most essential figure or object.

Implications for Understanding the Passage

• Unity of the Gospel Message: Each Gospel writer, guided by God, presents the same Jesus from different angles, and the central teaching remains consistent.

• Authenticity Through Varied Perspectives: Apparent discrepancies that can be reasonably reconciled often attest to the genuineness of eyewitness-based accounts rather than contrived uniformity.

Conclusion

Matthew 21:4–7 reconciles smoothly with the single-animal mentions in the other Gospels when recognizing the poetic structure of Zechariah’s prophecy, the presence of the mother donkey, and the colt Jesus rode. Such details support both the prophecy’s fulfillment and the narrative’s historical reliability. Rather than presenting a genuine conflict, Matthew’s inclusion of the second animal enriches the account and confirms how carefully Scripture preserves and fulfills Old Testament prophecy.