In biblical terms, a "colt" refers to a young male donkey or horse. The term is most notably associated with the New Testament account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event that holds significant theological importance in Christian teachings.

Old Testament References

While the term "colt" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, donkeys and horses are mentioned numerous times, often symbolizing peace, service, and humility. In the ancient Near Eastern context, donkeys were considered valuable animals for transportation and labor. The use of a colt, particularly a donkey's colt, in biblical narratives often underscores themes of humility and service.

New Testament Significance

The most prominent mention of a colt in the New Testament is found in the accounts of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event celebrated on Palm Sunday. This event is recorded in all four Gospels, with specific mention of the colt in Matthew 21:1-7, Mark 11:1-7, Luke 19:29-35, and John 12:14-15.

In Mark 11:2-3 , Jesus instructs His disciples: "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.’"

This act fulfills the prophecy found in 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."

The choice of a colt, specifically one that had never been ridden, is significant. In Jewish tradition, an animal that had not been used for ordinary purposes was considered suitable for sacred purposes. Jesus' use of the colt symbolizes His role as the peaceful Messiah, contrasting with the expectations of a militant king. The colt, therefore, becomes a symbol of Jesus' humility and the nature of His kingdom, which is not of this world.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The colt in the triumphal entry narrative is rich with symbolic meaning. It represents the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and highlights the nature of Jesus' mission. Unlike earthly kings who might enter a city on a warhorse, Jesus chooses a humble colt, emphasizing peace and servitude. This act serves as a powerful message about the kingdom of God, which is characterized by humility, peace, and righteousness.

In Christian theology, the colt is often seen as a representation of the believer's call to service and humility. Just as the colt was chosen for a sacred purpose, believers are called to serve Christ with humility and dedication.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, the use of a colt would have been a familiar sight, as donkeys were common animals used for transportation and labor. The specific mention of a colt "on which no one has ever sat" underscores its purity and suitability for a holy task, aligning with Jewish customs regarding animals used for sacred purposes.

The narrative of the colt in the triumphal entry is a profound illustration of Jesus' fulfillment of messianic prophecy and His establishment of a kingdom that defies worldly expectations. Through this humble act, Jesus communicates the nature of His reign and the values of His kingdom, inviting believers to follow in His footsteps of humility and service.1. (n.) The young of the equine genus or horse kind of animals; -- sometimes distinctively applied to the male, filly being the female. Cf. Foal.

2. (n.) A young, foolish fellow.

3. (n.) A short knotted rope formerly used as an instrument of punishment in the navy.

4. (v. i.) To frisk or frolic like a colt; to act licentiously or wantonly.

5. (v. t.) To horse; to get with young.

6. (v. t.) To befool.

COLT; FOAL

kolt (`ayir, ben; polos, huios, with some word such as hupozugiou, understood; huios alone = "son"): The English words "colt" and "foal" are used in the Bible of the ass everywhere except in Genesis 32:15, where the word "colt" is used of the camel in the list of animals destined by Jacob as presents for Esau. In most cases `ayir (compare Arabic `air, "ass") means "ass's colt," but it may be joined with ben, "son," as in Zechariah 9:9, where we have: `al-chamor we`al-`ayir ben-'athonoth, literally, "on an epi onon kai epi polon huion hupozugiou", "upon an ass, and upon a colt ass, and on an ass's colt, the son of the she-asses"; compare Matthew 21:5 epi onon kai epi polon huion hupozugiou, "upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." In John 12:15 we have epi polon onou, and in the previous verse the diminutive, onarion. The commonest New Testament word for "colt" is polos, akin to which is German Fohle and English "foal" and "filly." The Latin pullus signifies either "foal" or "chicken," and in the latter sense gives rise to French poulet and English "pullet."

In view of the fact that horses are but little mehtioned in the Bible, and that only in connection with royal equipages and armies, it is not surprising that "colt" does not occur in its ordinary English sense.

Alfred Ely Day

4454. polos -- a foal
... a foal. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: polos Phonetic Spelling:
(po'-los) Short Definition: a colt, young ass Definition: a colt, young ass ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4454.htm - 6k5895. ayir -- a male donkey
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a male donkey NASB Word Usage colt
(1), donkeys (3), foal (2), male donkeys (1), young donkeys (1). ...
/hebrew/5895.htm - 6k

1121. ben -- son
... children and their grandchildren (1), children and your children's (1), children
and children's (1), children's (2), children's children (5), colt (1), colts (1 ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

The Ass and the Colt are the Old and the New Testament. Spiritual ...
... Tenth Book. 18. The Ass and the Colt are the Old and the New Testament.
Spiritual Meaning of the Various Features of the Story. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/18 the ass and the.htm

Of the Colt of the Ass which is Mentioned by Matthew, and of the ...
... Chapter LXVI."Of the Colt of the Ass Which is Mentioned by Matthew, and of the
Consistency of His Account with that of the Other Evangelists, Who Speak Only ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter lxvi of the colt of.htm

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
... Bethphage, for Jesus started from Bethany] ^a that is over against you, ^b and
straightway as ye enter into it, ^a ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt ^b tied ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cv jesus triumphal entry into.htm

The Triumphant Entry
... disciples, and saith unto them, Go your way into the village that is over against
you: and straightway as ye enter into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 11 1-11 the triumphant entry.htm

The Triumphal Entry. Ch. 19:29-48
... called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, Go your way into the village
over against you; in which as ye enter ye shall find a colt tied, whereon ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the triumphal entry ch.htm

Discrepancy of the Gospel Narratives Connected with the Cleansing ...
... Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying unto them, Go ye into the village
over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied and a colt with her ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/15 discrepancy of the gospel.htm

Matthew's Story of the Entry into Jerusalem. Difficulties Involved ...
... them." By these incidents Matthew declares that the prophecy was fulfilled which
says, "Behold, the King cometh, meek and sitting on an ass and a colt the foal ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/17 matthews story of the.htm

Writings of Rufinus. Preface to the Commentary on the Benedictions ...
... in it which are worth knowing but hard to understand, impart to me also the knowledge
of them; especially of that passage which says: "Binding his colt to the ...
/.../writings of rufinus preface to.htm

Palm Sunday --The Day of Triumph.
... disciples, and saith unto them, "Go your way into the village that is over against
you: and straightway as ye enter into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/palm sundaythe day of triumph.htm

Introduction
... That colt-trainer is at hand when the colt is foaled, and before it rises to its
feet has rubbed down its head and put a halter upon it, so that from birth it ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/introduction.htm

Colt (15 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To frisk or frolic like a colt; to act licentiously or wantonly. 5. (vt)
To horse; to get with young. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COLT; FOAL. ...
/c/colt.htm - 12k

Foal (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The young of any animal of the Horse family (Equidae); a colt; a filly.
2. (vt) To bring forth (a colt); -- said of a mare or a she ass. ...COLT; FOAL. ...
/f/foal.htm - 11k

Loose (219 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway
ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them ...
/l/loose.htm - 38k

Over-against (156 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:2 saying to them, 'Go on to the village over-against you, and immediately
ye shall find an ass bound, and a colt with her -- having loosed, bring ye ...
/o/over-against.htm - 38k

Loosing (7 Occurrences)
... Loosing (7 Occurrences). Mark 11:5 And certain of them that stood there said
unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/l/loosing.htm - 8k

Loosed (41 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:2 saying to them, 'Go on to the village over-against you, and immediately
ye shall find an ass bound, and a colt with her -- having loosed, bring ye ...
/l/loosed.htm - 19k

Donkey's (7 Occurrences)
... Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey's colt." (WEB NAS NIV). ... Job 11:12 An
empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt. ...
/d/donkey's.htm - 8k

Ass's (7 Occurrences)
... here. (WEY). John 12:15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh,
sitting on an ass's colt. (KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS RSV). ...
/a/ass's.htm - 8k

Riding (30 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble,
and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (WEB ASV NIV). ...
/r/riding.htm - 16k

Bound (175 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:2 saying to them, 'Go on to the village over-against you, and immediately
ye shall find an ass bound, and a colt with her -- having loosed, bring ye ...
/b/bound.htm - 41k

What is Palm Sunday? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the triumphal/triumphant entry? | GotQuestions.org

What were the key events in the life of Jesus Christ? (Part 2) | GotQuestions.org

Colt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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