Matthew 21:4 Meaning and Explanation
“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Matthew pauses to note that these events fulfill what was long ago spoken by the prophet.
What Does Matthew 21:4 Mean?
Matthew steps back from the narrative to interpret it. The arrangement of the donkey and colt was not coincidence but the unfolding of words spoken centuries earlier through the prophet. This is one of many places where Matthew shows Jesus as the One the Scriptures awaited.
The verse invites the reader to see a larger hand at work. What looks like a simple borrowing of an animal is woven into a promise long held in Israel's memory. God keeps His word across generations, and in Jesus the ancient hope finds its fulfillment. The careful reader is meant to lean in and listen to the prophecy that follows.
Matthew 21:4 in the Original Language
pleroo (πληρόω), 'fulfill' -- to bring to completion what was promised.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 21:4
What does Matthew 21:4 mean?
Matthew pauses to note that these events fulfill what was long ago spoken by the prophet.