God’s Word Translation
Matthew 21:4
4This happened so that what the prophet had said came true:
Matthew 21:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
- New International Version (NIV)This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
- English Standard Version (ESV)This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
- New King James Version (NKJV)All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
Context of Matthew 21:4
2He said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you. You will find a donkey tied there and a colt with it. Untie them, and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them. That person will send them at once.” This happened so that what the prophet had said came true: 5“Tell the people of Zion, ‘Your king is coming to you. He’s gentle, riding on a donkey, on a colt, a young pack animal.’ ” 6The disciples did as Jesus had directed them.
Read all of Matthew 21Matthew 21:4 word by word
Τοῦτο δὲ γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- ·δέde · thenG1161
- Allὅλοςholos · allG3650
- thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- was doneγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- it might be fulfilledπληρόωplēroō · to fulfillG4137
- which was spokenἐρῶereō · to sayG2046
- byδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- the prophetπροφήτηςprophētēs · prophetG4396
- sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
Cross-references for Matthew 21:4
- Matthew 1:22All this happened so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true:
- Matthew 26:56All of this has happened so that what the prophets have written would come true.” Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away.
- John 19:36This happened so that the Scripture would come true: “None of his bones will be broken.”
- Zechariah 9:9Rejoice with all your heart, people of Zion! Shout in triumph, people of Jerusalem! Look! Your King is coming to you: He is righteous and victorious. He is humble and rides on a donkey, on a colt, a young pack animal.
- John 12:15“Don’t be afraid, people of Zion! Your king is coming. He is riding on a donkey’s colt.”
Commentaries on Matthew 21:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4All this was done - The word all, in this clause, is omitted by some MSS., versions, and fathers. Which was spoken - The Spirit of God, which predicted those things that concerned the Messiah, took care to have them literally fulfilled: To show the truth of prophecy in general; and, To designate Christ as the person intended by that prophecy. See the note on Matthew 2:23.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4All this was done - The prophecy here quoted is found in Zechariah 9:9. It was always, by the Jews, applied to the Messiah. Daughter of Zion - That is, “Jerusalem.” “Zion” was one of the hills on which the city of Jerusalem was built. On this stood the city of David and some strong fortresses. The names “daughter and virgin” were given to it often, in accordance with the Oriental figurative manner of expression. See the notes at Isaiah 1:8. Compare Amos…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5This part of the Old Testament fulfillment emphasizes the Messiah's peaceful, humble, and saving work (see Matthew 11:28–30; Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9–10).Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 21:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Matthew 21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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