Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.

LUKE 19:30KJV
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Luke 19:30 (KJV)

What does Luke 19:30 mean?

Luke 19:30 records Jesus giving two of his followers a specific task as he approaches Jerusalem. He tells them where to find a young animal and instructs them to untie it and bring it to him.

The colt is already tied when they arrive, and Jesus says that no one has ever ridden it. The instructions prepare for Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, when his followers place him on the animal (Luke 19:35).

The Greek behind Luke 19:30

  • “colt” — πῶλος (pōlos): This means a young horse or donkey. The word itself does not specify which kind of animal Luke has in view.
  • “against” — κατέναντι (katenanti): This carries the sense of “opposite” or “across from.” Jesus is pointing the two followers toward a village facing their present location, not describing a village hostile to them.

Why Luke 19:30 matters

  • Jesus gives the followers a way to recognize the animal. They are to find it tied near the entrance to the village, and it is one that has never been ridden.
  • The instructions include what the followers should do if questioned. In the next verse, Jesus tells them to say, “The Lord hath need of him,” and Luke later records the owners asking why they are untying the colt.
  • The colt becomes the animal Jesus rides as he approaches Jerusalem. The followers put their garments on it before setting Jesus on it, connecting the search in verse 30 with the arrival that follows.

Where else these words appear

“against” Greek G2713 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 11:2 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.
  • Mark 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
  • 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,

“sat” Greek G4455 · used in 6 verses

  • John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
  • John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
  • John 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

“colt” Greek G4454 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 21:2 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.
  • Mark 11:2 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.
  • Mark 11:7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

“entering” Greek G1531 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
  • Mark 7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
  • Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.