Devine Scripture

Matthew 21:4

What does Matthew 21:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 21:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 21:4 means

Matthew highlights that these actions were not random but a direct fulfillment of prophecy. This verse cues the reader to recognize Jesus' entry as a divinely predetermined event, aligning His actions with the long-awaited promises of the Old Testament. It underscores Matthew's consistent theme of presenting Jesus as the Messiah who perfectly embodies and completes the scriptures, validating His claims of divine authority.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now this took place so that these words of the prophet might come true,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And all this came to pass, that it might be fulfilled that was spoken through the prophet, saying,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But all this came to pass, that that might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,

Context

This verse acts as Matthew's interpretive comment, immediately connecting Jesus' instructions and the disciples' actions to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. It prepares the reader for the specific prophetic quotation that follows, establishing the theological significance of the triumphal entry. This connection demonstrates that Jesus' actions were not accidental but part of God's unfolding plan.

v.3And if any one say aught unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

v.4This passage

v.5Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Zechariah 9:9

    Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass.

  • John 12:15

    Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

  • John 19:36

    For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

  • Matthew 1:22

    Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

  • Matthew 26:56

    But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.

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