Matthew 21 · Verse 4

Matthew 21:4

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Matthew 21:4, King James Version

Matthew 21:4 in other translations

BSBThis took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
WEBAll this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
ASVNow this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
YLTAnd all this came to pass, that it might be fulfilled that was spoken through the prophet, saying,
DARBYBut all this came to pass, that that might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
BBENow this took place so that these words of the prophet might come true,
WebsterAll this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

What does Matthew 21:4 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verses 4,5. All this was done, etc. The prophecy here quoted is found in Zech 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. Isa 1:8; Amos 5:2; Ps 137:8; Isa 47:1. It was given to them as an expression of their beauty or comeliness.

Meek. Mt 5:5. The expression here rather denotes peaceful, not warlike; not with pomp, and state, and the ensigns of ambition. He came in the manner in which kings were accustomed to ride, but with none of their pride and ambitious feeling.

Sitting upon an ass, etc. He rode on the colt, (Mark and Luke.) This expression in Matthew is one which is common with all writers.

(x) "prophet" Zech 9:9

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 All 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: 1. To show the truth of prophecy in general; and, 2. To designate Christ as the person intended by that prophecy. See the note on Mat 2:23.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 21:1-11

The barren fig-tree cursed. (18-22) Jesus' discourse in the temple. (23-27) The parable of the two sons. (28-32) The parable of the wicked husbandmen. (33-46) Verses 1-11 This coming of Christ was described by the prophet Zechariah, Zec 9:9. When Christ would appear in his glory, it is in his meekness, not in his majesty, in mercy to work salvation. As meekness and outward poverty were fully seen in Zion's King, and…

Read the full comment on Matthew 21:1-11 →

Matthew 21:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤοῦτοToutoThisG3778
δὲdethenG1161
γέγονενgegonenhas come to passG1096
ἵναinathatG2443
πληρωθῇplērōthēait may be fulfilledG4137
τὸtothatG3588
ῥηθὲνrhēthenhaving been spokenG2046
διὰdiathroughG1223
τοῦtoutheG3588
προφήτουprophētouprophetG4396
λέγοντος·legontossaying;G3004

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 21:4

  • Zechariah 9:9

    Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

  • John 12:15

    Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

  • Matthew 1:22

    Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

  • Matthew 26:56

    But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

  • John 19:36-37

    For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
this.
1:22; 26:56; Joh 19:36,37
saying.
Zec 9:9; Joh 12:15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 21:3

    And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

  • Matthew 21:4

    All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

  • Matthew 21:5

    Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

Read all of Matthew 21

Matthew 21:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y todo esto fué hecho, para que se cumpliese lo que fué dicho por el profeta, que dijo:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et tout cela arriva, afin que fût accompli ce qui avait été dit par le prophète, disant:
German
Elberfelder 1871		Dies alles aber ist geschehen, auf daß erfüllt würde, was durch den Propheten geredet ist, welcher spricht:
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Hoc autem totum factum est, ut adimpleretur quod dictum est per prophetam dicentem: