Matthew 21:2-7, Matthew and the donkey and the colt

[Christian2]

(Matthew 21:2-7) - "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them, and bring them to Me. 3“And if anyone says something to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them.” 4Now this took place that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 5“Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'” 6And the disciples went and did just as Jesus had directed them, 7and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid on them their garments, on which He sat."

Mark and Luke only mention the colt. Mark 11:2-7; Luke 19:30.

Matthew is citing Zechariah 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

It is my understanding that Zechariah 9:9 is an example of Hebrew parallelism. In other words, there is only one animal, not two.

Why does Matthew mention two animals? It sounds like he is unaware of Hebrew parallelism and he should since he was a Jew. Can anyone explain? Thanks.

[Canuckster1127]

Matthew is Jewish and in quoting the OT passage is providing narrative to demonstrate the fulfillment of the prophesy. It would make sense to continue using the same type of terminology. It sounds odd to us written in English from a western perspective. To the original readers it was likely just a form of idiom and readily understood.

[Swamper]

I understand Zechariah as referring to only one animal as well. It's the same idea as if I were to say, "That guy's riding on a donkey. Can you believe it? A young donkey!", which is clearly a reference to one animal.

[Christian2]

Matthew is Jewish and in quoting the OT passage is providing narrative to demonstrate the fulfillment of the prophesy. It would make sense to continue using the same type of terminology. It sounds odd to us written in English from a western perspective. To the original readers it was likely just a form of idiom and readily understood.

Thanks.

Do you think there were two animals or only one? Matthew clearly says two.

I think Mark and Luke are concentrating on the colt but it doesn't mean that there were not two. Perhaps a colt stays near its mother for a certain length of time until it has been ridden?

[Jac3510]

Note that Zech. doesn't say there is ONLY one animal. You are right, of course, about the parallelism. Further, it is obvious that there were two animals in Matthew's account. Finally, Mark and Luke don't say that there was ONLY one animal. So, it seems to me that Zech used a standard parallelism to refer to one animal, and, in the actual fulfillment of the prophecy, Jesus did sit on the one, but her mother was brought along (probably to calm her). Matthew, seeing both the "donkey" and the "colt" and expecting his readers--considering that they were Jewish--to know well Zech 9, included both to highlight the particular prophecy being fulfilled.

In other words, consider Matthew's mention of the donkey a linguistic reminder--a verbal key, if you will-- of Zech 9. Mark and Luke, not having Jewish audiences, didn't see the need to go in such detail.

[Christian2]

Note that Zech. doesn't say there is ONLY one animal. You are right, of course, about the parallelism. Further, it is obvious that there were two animals in Matthew's account. Finally, Mark and Luke don't say that there was ONLY one animal. So, it seems to me that Zech used a standard parallelism to refer to one animal, and, in the actual fulfillment of the prophecy, Jesus did sit on the one, but her mother was brought along (probably to calm her). Matthew, seeing both the "donkey" and the "colt" and expecting his readers--considering that they were Jewish--to know well Zech 9, included both to highlight the particular prophecy being fulfilled.

In other words, consider Matthew's mention of the donkey a linguistic reminder--a verbal key, if you will-- of Zech 9. Mark and Luke, not having Jewish audiences, didn't see the need to go in such detail.

Thank you, Jac.