Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Matthew 21:1

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Again, setting measures of sorrow, when He had need to mourn, He weeps moderately, everywhere setting us rules, as I have said, and limits how far one ought to proceed, and not any further. So for this intent now also, since it happens that some are weak and have need of beasts to carry them, in this too He fixes a measure, showing that one ought not to yoke horses or mules to be borne by them, but to use an ass, and not to proceed further, and everywhere to be limited by the want. …

Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 66 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He sat upon an ass for no other reason than to fulfill the prophecy and to show us that our means of conveyance should be humble, for He was mounted not on a horse but on a lowly ass. He fulfills the prophecy (Zech. 9:9) both literally, and in a spiritual sense. He fulfills it literally by sitting as He did in view of all. He fulfills it in a spiritual sense by sitting upon the ass, the burdened Jews, and also upon the foal, the Gentiles who were coltish, untamed and unruly (Gen. 49:10-11). …

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

And when he drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. …

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Thomas Aquinas

The Gospel of Matthew was divided above into three parts: in the first, he presents Christ's entry into the world, up to the third chapter; secondly, his progress in the world; in the third, his departure. Having completed the first two parts, here he treats of the third. And it is divided: because first he treats of certain preambles; secondly, of Christ's passion, and this in chapter 26. And first he presents the provocation of the persecutors; secondly, the strengthening of the disciples, and this in chapter 24. …

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Remigius of Rheims

The Evangelist related above that the Lord departed from Galilee, and began to go up to Jerusalem. Being now occupied with telling what He did by the way, he proceeds in his purpose, saying, And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage. Bethphage was a small village of the priests, situated on the declivity of Mount Olivet, one mile distant from Jerusalem. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗