King James Version

What Does Luke 19:30 Mean?

Luke 19:30 in the King James Version says “Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet ne... — study this verse from Luke chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat : loose him, and bring him hither.

Luke 19:30 · KJV


Context

28

And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

29

And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

30

Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat : loose him, and bring him hither.

31

And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.

32

And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat (πῶλον δεδεμένον, ἐφ᾽ ὃν οὐδεὶς πώποτε ἀνθρώπων ἐκάθισεν, pōlon dedemenon, eph' hon oudeis pōpote anthrōpōn ekathisen)—Christ's supernatural knowledge is on display. The colt (πῶλος, pōlos) refers to a young donkey, and its never-ridden status marks it as fitting for sacred use (Numbers 19:2, Deuteronomy 21:3). An untrained animal would normally be difficult to control, yet this colt submits to Christ—a sign of creation's recognition of its Creator.

This detail fulfills Zechariah 9:9 precisely: 'Behold, thy King cometh unto thee...lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.' Jesus deliberately stages a messianic claim that any Torah-literate Jew would recognize. The peaceful donkey contrasts with the warhorse Roman emperors rode, signaling a different kind of kingdom.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, kings rode donkeys during peacetime and horses during war. Solomon rode David's mule to his coronation (1 Kings 1:33). An unblemished, never-ridden animal was required for sacred purposes. Jesus's choice of a humble donkey rather than a royal stallion subverted expectations of a political-military messiah who would overthrow Rome.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the untrained colt's submission to Jesus reveal about Christ's authority over creation?
  2. How does Jesus's choice of a donkey rather than a warhorse redefine what messianic kingship means?
  3. In what ways do you resist Christ's claim to be the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
εἰπὼν,1 of 21

Saying

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ὑπάγετε2 of 21

Go ye

G5217

to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively

εἰς3 of 21

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν4 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κατέναντι5 of 21

over against

G2713

directly opposite

κώμην6 of 21

the village

G2968

a hamlet (as if laid down)

ἐν7 of 21

you in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὃν8 of 21

the which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

εἰσπορευόμενοι9 of 21

at your entering

G1531

to enter (literally or figuratively)

εὑρήσετε10 of 21

ye shall find

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

πῶλον11 of 21

a colt

G4454

a "foal" or "filly", i.e., (specially), a young ass

δεδεμένον12 of 21

tied

G1210

to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

ἐφ'13 of 21

whereon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ὃν14 of 21

the which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐδεὶς15 of 21

yet never

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

πώποτε16 of 21
G4455

at any time, i.e., (with negative particle) at no time

ἀνθρώπων17 of 21

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐκάθισεν18 of 21

sat

G2523

to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)

λύσαντες19 of 21

loose

G3089

to "loosen" (literally or figuratively)

αὐτὸν20 of 21

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀγάγετε21 of 21

and bring

G71

properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 19:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 19:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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