SEV Biblia, Chapter 21:1
¶ Y como se acercaron a Jerusaln, y vinieron a Betfag, al monte de las Olivas, entonces Jess envi dos discípulos,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 21:1
Verse 1. Bethphage] A place on the west declivity of Mount Olivet, from which it is thought the whole declivity and part of the valley took their name. It is supposed to have derived its name from the fig-trees which grew there; tyb beeth, signifying a region as well as a house, and gp phag, a green fig.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem , etc.] The Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, when he drew nigh, or was near; but not alone, his disciples were with him, and a multitude of people also; as is evident from the following account. They might well be said to be near to Jerusalem, since it is added, and were come to Bethphage ; which the Jews say was within the walls of the city of Jerusalem, and was in all respects as the city itself, and was the outermost part of it f1073 ; and that all within the outward circumference of the city of Jerusalem was called Bethphage f1074 : it seems to me to be part of it within the city, and part of it without, in the suburbs of it, which reached to Bethany, and that to the Mount of Olives. Various are the derivations and etymologies of this place: some say it signifies the house, or place of a fountain, from a fountain that was in it; as if it was a compound of Beth, an house, and phgh , pege, a fountain: others, the house of the mouth of a valley; as if it was made up of those three words, ayg yp tyb , because the outward boundary of it was at the foot of the Mount of Olives, at the entrance of the valley of Jehoshaphat: others say, that the ancient reading was Bethphage, the house of slaughter; and Jerom says f1075 , it was a village of the priests, and he renders it, the house of jaw bones: here indeed they might bake the showbread, and eat the holy things, as in Jerusalem f1076 ; but the true reading and signification of it is, ygap tyb , the house of figs; so called from the fig trees which grew in the outward limits of it, near Bethany, and the Mount of Olives; hence we read of ynyh tyb ygp , the figs of Bethany; which place is mentioned along with, Bethphage, both by Mark and Luke, where Christ, and those with him, were now come: the latter says, they were come nigh to these places, for they were come to the Mount of Olives ; near to which were the furthermost limits of Bethany, and Bethphage, from Jerusalem. This mount was so called from the abundance of olive trees which grew upon it, and was on the east side of Jerusalem f1078 ; and it was distant from it a sabbath days journey, ( Acts 1:12) which was two, thousand cubits, or eight furlongs, and which made one mile: then sent Jesus two disciples ; who they were is not certain, perhaps Peter and John, who were afterwards sent by him to prepare the passover, ( Luke 22:8).
Matthew Henry Commentary
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 outwar poverty were fully seen in Zion's King, and marked his triumpha entrance to Jerusalem, how wrong covetousness, ambition, and the prid of life must be in Zion's citizens! They brought the ass, but Jesus di not use it without the owner's consent. The trappings were such as cam to hand. We must not think the clothes on our backs too dear to par with for the service of Christ. The chief priests and the elder afterwards joined with the multitude that abused him upon the cross but none of them joined the multitude that did him honour. Those tha take Christ for their King, must lay their all under his feet. Hosann signifies, Save now, we beseech thee! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! But of how little value is the applause of the people! The changing multitude join the cry of the day, whether it be Hosanna, or Crucify him. Multitudes often seem to approve the gospel but few become consistent disciples. When Jesus was come into Jerusale all the city was moved; some perhaps were moved with joy, who waite for the Consolation of Israel; others, of the Pharisees, were move with envy. So various are the motions in the minds of men upon the approach of Christ's kingdom.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ οτε 3753 ADV ηγγισαν 1448 5656 V-AAI-3P εις 1519 PREP ιεροσολυμα 2414 N-ASF και 2532 CONJ ηλθον 2064 5627 V-2AAI-3P εις 1519 PREP βηθφαγη 967 N-PRI προς 4314 PREP το 3588 T-ASN ορος 3735 N-ASN των 3588 T-GPF ελαιων 1636 N-GPF τοτε 5119 ADV ο 3588 T-NSM ιησους 2424 N-NSM απεστειλεν 649 5656 V-AAI-3S δυο 1417 A-NUI μαθητας 3101 N-APM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. Bethphage. House of figs.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
21:1 {Unto Bethphage} (eis Bethphag). An indeclinable Aramaic name here only in O.T. or N.T. (#Mr 11:1; Lu 19:29). It means "house of unripe young figs." It apparently lay on the eastern slope of Olivet or at the foot of the mountain, a little further from Jerusalem than Bethany. Both Mark and Luke speak of Christ's coming "unto Bethphage and Bethany" as if Bethphage was reached first. It is apparently larger than Bethany. {Unto the Mount of Olives} (eis to oros twn elaiwn). Matthew has thus three instances of eis with Jerusalem, Mount of Olives. Mark and Luke use pros with Mount of Olives, the Mount of Olive trees (elai"n from elaia, olive tree), the mountain covered with olive trees.
