What is the meaning of Matthew 21:1-3?

¹ And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 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 unto me. ³ And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. (Matthew 21:1-3 KJV)

William Burkitt’s Commentary

The former part of this chapter gives us an account of our Saviour’s solemn and triumphant riding into the city of Jerusalem.

Where observe, That in all our Saviour’s journies and travels from place to place, he constantly went like a poor man, on foot, without noise, and without train; now he goes up to Jerusalem to die for sinners, he rides, to show his great cheerfulness in that service, and his forwardness to lay down his life for us. But what doth he ride upon?

An ass, according to the manner of great persons amongst the Jews; but especially to fufil the prophecy, Zep 3:20, that the Messiah, a King of the Jews, should come riding upon an ass. But this ass was a colt, the foal of an ass, on which never man had rode before, Mr 11:2; signifying thereby, that the most unruly and untamed creatures become obedient and obsequious to him: and upon a borrowed ass, the use of which he demands, thereby manifesting his sovereign right to all the creatures; and accordingly, he bids his disciples tell the owner of the ass, That the Lord had need of him: not our Lord, but the Lord; that is, he that is the Lord of all, whose are the cattle upon a thousand hills; he that is Lord of all beasts and the owners too.

Observe farther, That notwithstanding Christ’s supreme right to the ass and the colt, he will have neither of them taken without the owner’s knowledge, or against his will; but the disciples must acquaint him with it, and by a double argument move him to it.

1. Christ’s right of dominion and sovereignty over them; he is the Lord that sends for them.
2. His present occasion for them; the Lord has need of them.

Note also here, A wonderful instance of Christ’s prescience or foreknowledge, even in the most minute and smallest matters.

1. You shall find a colt.
2. On which no man ever sat.
3. A colt tied and bound with its dam.
4. In the place where two wars met.
5. As they entered the village.
6. That the owners should be willing to let him go.

Such an exact knowledge had Christ of person and actions, even of the circumstances of actions.