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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 239

Acts 1:15 "And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty)..." Acts 1:15"

Day 239 – Mark 11

“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty)…” Acts 1:15

CARRYING OUT THE ORDERS OF JESUS

Only two disciples were needed to carry out this simple and straightforward order from Jesus.

“So they went their way, and found the colt tied
by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.”
MARK 11:4

GUARDING OF THE COLT

Of course, one would expect that the colt would be carefully guarded. If left unguarded, anyone could have stolen it.


“But some of those who stood there said to them,
‘What are you doing, loosing the colt?'”
MARK 11:5

It was necessary to have people guarding the colt. This was near the Feast of the Passover. The city of Jerusalem would see many extra pilgrims and traders flooding the city during this peak season.

A PRE-ARRANGED CODE

Jesus had told His disciples to anticipate a challenge from the servants of the owner of the colt. The coded answer was apt.

“And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’
Say, ‘The Lord has need of it…'”
MARK 11:3

And true enough, the two disciples were challenged. They gave the right reply promptly, and the colt was released to their safe-keeping.


“And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded.
So they let them go.”
MARK 11:6

MATTHEW’S CONTRIBUTION

The Gospel of Matthew had this to add to this story.


“Go into the village opposite you,
and immediately you will find a donkey tied,
and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.”
Matthew 21:2

What is the significance of Matthew’s addition? Two things may be highlighted:-

1. The colt, being young would have found extra comfort and confidence if its mother was beside it. The unbroken colt would have been harder to manage without its mother there beside it.

2. The tenderness of the scene is most heartwarming; Jesus would have it no other way.