Home > Jesus is God in Mark's Gospel
This event is also mentioned in Matthew 21:.1-7 which mentions two animals: a donkey and a colt (young donkey). Mathew explicitly cites Zechariah 9:9. Also mentioned in Luke 19:29–34 which is nearly word-for-word with Mark which mentions one colt Also mentioned in John 12:12–16 but does not include the fetching details but mentions a young donkey.
Mark 11:1–6:
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go.
Matthew quotes this prophecy in Zechariah as a fulfillment.
Zechariah 9:9:
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
1 vs 2 animals - Mark, Luke, and John focus on the colt that Jesus rode. Matthew mentions both animals present (the mother and the colt. Mentioning one does not deny the presence of another. This is standard historical reporting. Yet alternative interpretations exist. Some scholars suggest it’s plausible that both animals were involved, with the mother donkey accompanying the young colt, and that garments were draped over both to create a “wide throne” emphasising royal majesty.
divine preknowledge - Before entering the city, Jesus gives specific instructions about a colt that has never been ridden. Jesus knows the exact location and condition of the animal, as well as the reaction of the owners. This is the same divine "remote viewing" seen in Mark 7.
“Lord” - This is one of the rare instances where Jesus refers to Himself as "The Lord" (Ho Kyrios). In this context, it isn't just a title of respect; it is a claim of Divinity. He is the rightful owner of all