Bethphage

Then the Saviour went thence to Jerusalem, and when they saw that, they took blooming palm twigs, and bore them before him, and bowed down to him, and honoured him, as is befitting a king.

When that he drew nigh to Jerusalem, then came he first to the town of Bethphage near Mount Olivet.

The Saviour then said to his two disciples, to Peter and John, Go now into this village that standeth over against you, then ye shall find me there an ass tied and her foal, unloose them and bring them to me and if any one forbiddeth you say that the lord hath need thereof then forthwith they shall let them go for me this came to pass that the prophecy might be fulfilled which was previously spoken say to the daughters of sion that their king cometh meek and humble sitting upon an ass even the foal of the animal His disciples then did as he bade them and brought him the ass and made him sit thereon.

All the people that went before him strew their garments before him.

the holy church is never without the poor those men alone have christ in their hearts who are decreed to eternal life christ himself said ye have me ever present among believing men through the glory of my divine nature and nevertheless the hidden presence hath not departed from us many men have him through the holy baptism and through the true belief of christ's sacrifice that we receive at the altar But those men who live wickedly have not Christ in their hearts, but they prepare a habitation for devils and eternal punishment for themselves.

The evangelist said, The elders of the priests determined to slay Lazarus, and those wicked ones would not think that the Lord might again raise him as he had previously raised him from Saul's death through his divine power.

Matthew the evangelist said, When the Savior would draw near to Jerusalem, he first came to Bethphage, This was very fitting, when he had come from heaven to earth, that he would suffer for mankind, and should draw near to the time of our redemption.

The town of Bethphage betokeneth holy church, in which are sung the holy mysteries or sacraments, and where men confess their sins, and there pray to God for forgiveness.

And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat.

Untie it and bring it here.

If anyone asks you, Why are you untying it? You shall say this, The Lord has need of it.

You will notice in verse 1 that three places are mentioned, four in fact.

It says, and when they came to Jerusalem, we know where that is, unto Bethphage, that's the second place, and Bethany, and then we have reference to the Mount of Olives.

So the Bible is not a fairy story book that deals with fairy story, fairy fictitional characters and fictitional locations.

It is a book that deals with real people, real history, real places.

It was just a short distance from So just a short walk away.

The town of Bethany, or the village of Bethany, was situated on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives, so not very far from that location.

Then we have the mention of Bethphage.

Bethphage, the exact location is unknown, but it was clearly close to Bethany and the Mount of Olives because verse 1 says Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives.

Let's go to Mark's Gospel, Mark chapter 11.

In Mark chapter 11, we see here in verse 1, And it says, and when they came nine to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent for two of his disciples and he said to them, go your way unto the village over against you.

And as soon as you be entered into it, you shall find a coat tied.

wherein never a man sat.

Matthew 21, verses 1 to 11.

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples saying to them, go into the village in front of you and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her.

Untie them and bring them to me.

If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, the Lord needs them, and he will send them at once.

Okay, here we go, Mark 11, verse one.

Now when they drew near Jerusalem to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he, Jesus, sent two of his disciples and he said to them, go into the villages opposite you and as you, excuse me, and as soon as you have entered it, you will find a colt tied on which, this is a donkey now, you will find a colt tied on which no one has sat.

Loose it and bring it.

And if anyone says to you, why are you doing this? Say, the Lord has need of it, and immediately he will send it here.

Chapter 21.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples saying to them, "'Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there with her colt by her.

Untie them and bring them to me.'" If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them and he will send them right away.

This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet.

So Mark chapter 11, starting at verse 1, hear the word of the Lord.

Now, when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethpage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied on which no one has ever sat.

And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go.

And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it.