Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

The Roman military road from Jericho to Jerusalem was about seventeen miles long and climbed three thousand feet. It passed through Bethany (where Jesus stayed six days before the Passover, Jn 12:1-10) and nearby Bethphage (“house of figs”), which lay on the southeast slope of the Mount of Olives, then crossed over the mount and the Kidron Valley and entered Jerusalem (v.1).

Jesus sent two disciples ahead to Bethphage to fetch the animals. The ride on a colt, because it was planned by Jesus, could only be an acted parable, a deliberate act of symbolic self-disclosure for those with eyes to see. Secrecy was being lifted.