Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 21:1

"And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples," — Matthew 21:1 (ASV)

And when they drew near to Jerusalem — Here again, we must fill a gap in St. Matthew’s Gospel. We have to imagine the journey up the narrow valley that leads from Jericho to Jerusalem. As before, our Lord was followed by the disciples, who were in turn followed by crowds of pilgrims. These crowds were drawn to the Holy City either by the coming Passover or by a curious wonder to see what role the Prophet of Nazareth would take. Throughout the multitude, including the disciples, there was a feverish expectation that He would at last announce Himself as the Christ and claim His kingdom (Luke 19:11).

They reached Bethany “six days before the Passover,” likely on Friday afternoon (John 12:1). They remained there for the Sabbath, probably in the house of Lazarus or Simon the leper (Matthew 26:6; John 12:2). In Simon's house, we find the story of the anointing, which St. Matthew relates out of chronological order in Matthew 26:6-13. The narrative, which now becomes more continuous, opens at this point: the dawn of the first day of the week, the daybreak of Palm Sunday.

Bethphage — The village is named with Bethany in Luke 19:29 and in many manuscripts of Mark 11:1. Since it is mentioned before Bethany, it seems probable that it lay on the road from Jericho and was therefore east of Bethany. The traditional site, however, followed in most maps, places it west of Bethany and nearer the summit of the hill. The name meant “the house of unripe figs,” just as Bethany meant “the house of dates,” and Gethsemane “the oil-press.” These three names obviously indicate local features that gave the sites their distinctiveness.

All three locations were on the Mount of Olives. Bethany is identified with the modern El-’Azariyeh, or Lazarieh (a name connected to the story of Lazarus), which lies about a mile below the summit on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. It is situated in a woody hollow planted with olives, almonds, pomegranates, and figs. The palms implied by the name of Bethany and by the story of the entry into Jerusalem (John 12:13) have since disappeared.

Two disciples — The messengers are not named in any of the Gospels. The fact that Peter and John were sent on a similar errand in Luke 22:8 makes it probable that they were the ones sent in this instance as well.