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,

LUKE 19:29KJV
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Luke 19:29 (KJV)

What does Luke 19:29 mean?

Luke 19:29 describes Jesus approaching the villages of Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, and sending two of his disciples ahead. This sets the scene for events that will soon unfold as Jesus enters Jerusalem.

In this verse, Jesus is traveling with his followers toward Jerusalem. Bethphage and Bethany are small villages on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives, just outside the city. By mentioning these specific places and Jesus sending two disciples, the verse signals that something purposeful is about to happen as part of Jesus’s final journey.

The Greek behind Luke 19:29

  • Βηθφαγή (Bēthphagē, "Bethphage") and Βηθανία (Bēthania, "Bethany") are named as real villages, grounding the story in a specific location near Jerusalem. This detail helps the reader picture the geography and the route Jesus is taking.
  • ὄρος (oros, "mount") and ἐλαιῶν (elaiōn, "Olives") together refer to the Mount of Olives, a significant place in Jewish tradition and in the story of Jesus’s final days. The Greek highlights that this is a well-known landmark.
  • ἀπέστειλεν (apesteilen, "sent") is the Greek word for "sent," showing Jesus taking deliberate action by sending two disciples. The verb carries the sense of sending with a purpose or mission, not just casually asking them to go.

Why Luke 19:29 matters

  • This verse marks the beginning of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem, a key turning point in the Gospel narrative, often called the Triumphal Entry.
  • The mention of specific locations and the Mount of Olives connects Jesus’s actions to Old Testament prophecies and Jewish expectations about the Messiah.
  • By noting that Jesus sends two disciples, Luke emphasizes Jesus’s authority and intentional planning, setting up the events that will follow in the next verses.

Where else these words appear

“Bethphage” Greek G967 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
  • Mark 11:1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

“Bethany” Greek G963 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 21:17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
  • Mark 11:11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
  • Luke 24:50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

“Olives” Greek G1636 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
  • Mark 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
  • John 8:1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

“nigh” Greek G1448 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
  • Luke 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
  • Luke 24:28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.