CONTENTS.
The LORD JESUS entereth Jerusalem in triumph. The barren Fig Tree. CHRIST's Conversation with the Chief Priests.
A ND when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, (2) And saith unto them, Go your way into the, village over against you; and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon, never man sat; loose him, and bring him. (3) And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. (4) And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. (5) And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? (6) And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. (7) And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. (8) And many spread their garments in the way; and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. (9) And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: (10) Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in, the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the Highest. (11) And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple; and when be had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
Bethphage and Bethany, seem to have been somewhat like suburbs to Jerusalem; two little straggling villages joining to the city, the one ending like streets where the other began. From hence, and through these, the LORD was pleased to make a public entry into Jerusalem. The Prophet Zechariah foretold this; and as no king but Zion's King ever made such an entry, there can be no question concerning the prophecy, and the accomplishment of it. Zechariah 9:9.
I venture to think, that the disciples never gave a more decided token of their faith; perhaps none equal to it, during our LORD's ministry, than in thus going without hesitation, to take the colt according to his bidding. For, as the act itself was taking what was not their own, one might have expected that the disciples would have said so, when Jesus commanded them. But the manner in which he gave the order: his foretelling where they should find the colt, and the answer they were to give to the owners; the LORD hath need of him; as if intimating the LORD and proprietor of all things. These circumstances over-ruled their minds to an instant obedience. And it is probable, I think, that as the disciples never gave over, even till CHRIST's death, their expectation of a temporal Kingdom, they might have been inclined to hope, that the LORD was now about to assume the government.
It is well worthy the Reader's remark, that the LORD JESUS went not to the Court, but to the Temple, as if to shew, that his kingdom was not of this world. Sweet consideration to the heart of the believer! So the Prophet described him; and so the LORD JESUS fulfilled the prophecy. Malachi 3:1-39. Nothing can be more decided in confirmation of CHRIST's character, than the over-ruling the minds of those little children to proclaim him for the CHRIST! And what could be more in point, in thus fulfilling that memorable prophecy. Psalms 8:2. Surely, never did the LORD more signally silence the malice of his enemies, than when out of the mouths of unconscious children the GODHEAD and CHRISTSHIP of the Redeemer was thus acknowledged! If my Poor Man's Commentary should happen to fall into the hands of children; yea, even little children, or should be read in their hearing, I would beg the little ones of CHRIST's fold to notice this account; and I would beg the elders present to notice it to them. JESUS took delight in their testimony then, and so JESUS doth now. What can be more lovely than to hear the glory of the LORD out of the mouth of babes and sucklings. Mark 10:13-16; 2 Timothy 3:15.