21:1–5 Jesus and his disciples crossed the Jordan and traveled south through Perea in order to avoid Samaria. This brought them through Jericho and up to Jerusalem from the east. When they arrived at the village of Bethphage, Jesus sent two of his disciples ahead to secure a donkey and her colt. Bethphage was located on the Mount of Olives and considered the eastern boundary of Jerusalem (the name means “house of the country districts,” Lat. pagi). The Mount of Olives is directly east from Jerusalem across the Kidron valley and held an important place in Jewish eschatology.

The two disciples are told that, if anyone says anything to them about untying the animals, they are to indicate that the Lord needs them. If the latter part of verse 3 (and he will send them right away) is part of the…