Luk 19:29-38 | TNotes | STEP | 19:29 Bethany was on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, two miles east of Jerusalem; it was the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha (John 11:1 , 18 ; 12:1 ; see Luke 10:38 ). The location of Bethphage is uncertain, but it was probably near Bethany on the same road from Jericho. • The Mount of Olives overlooks Jerusalem from the east and has significance at the return of Christ (see Acts 1:11 ; Zech 14:4 ).

19:29 ^a Bethany was on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, two miles east of Jerusalem; it was the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha (John 11:1 ^b, 18 ^c; 12:1 ^d; see Luke 10:38 ^e). The location of Bethphage is uncertain, but it was probably near Bethany on the same road from Jericho.

• The Mount of Olives overlooks Jerusalem from the east and has significance at the return of Christ (see Acts 1:11 ^f; Zech 14:4 ^g).
19:30 ^h you will see a young donkey: It is unclear whether Jesus had arranged for the donkey ahead of time, or whether he used divine insight. Either way, Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was a symbolic action. He rode a humble donkey rather than a war horse to confirm that he was fulfilling the role of the Messiah by bringing reconciliation and peace (Zech 9:9-10 ⁱ).
19:31 ^j The Lord needs it: Subjects of a king were expected to make resources available for his use (see 1 Sam 8:16 ^k). The donkey’s colt had never been ridden, so it was pure and suitable for a king.
19:36 ^l The crowds spread out their garments to show honor and homage to this royal figure (see 2 Kgs 9:13 ^m).
19:38 ⁿ Blessings on the King ... glory in highest heaven! See Pss 118:26 ^o; 148:1 ^p. Psalm 118 ^q was one of the psalms sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for one of the festivals (Pss 113–118 ^r).

• Jesus brought peace in heaven—reconciliation between God and human beings—but peace on earth awaits the future (cp. Luke 2:14 ^s; see 12:51-53 ^t; 19:41-44 ^u).