[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: Would Jesus be a greasy Uber driver today? Matthew 21:7 says no

Matthew 21:7
“And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.”
Bible says Jesus rode the ass but he did not bring the ass.

I find that people are more bothered by
"and put on them their clothes"

(I will refer to both as horses, and assume a plurality of horses, as I do not wish, at this point to wade in with authority.)

The problem is with "them". Does "and put on them their clothes" mean
(i) they (the disciples) laid their (the disciples') clothes upon both horses,
(ii) they dressed the horses in their (the disciples') own clothes,
(iii) they dressed the horses in their (the horses') clothes. (bridle/saddle, etc.),
(iv) They laid their clothes on the ground and put the ass and the colt on them,
(v) They felt certain that the ass and the colt were perfect (This verse is said to be the origin of “To put your shirt on something”, which is an expression used in horse –racing.), or
(v) something else.

The understanding is not helped by the next verse:
M't:21:8: And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

Here, the referent of “their” is clear: it is “a very great multitude”, and they all put their clothes on the ground. You can see why this might be – the streets of the town were similar to those in a Detroit ghetto, so the clothes would smooth the surface and the horses would not falter. But there would have been no need for the Disciples to put clothes on the ground if all Jesus had to do was get on a horse.

The final mystery is whether the multitude consisted of men only, or men and women. I mention this as you will remember that there are verses speaking against “seeing someone’s nakedness.” Or perhaps they had brought along some spare clothes.

[MitzaLizalor]

Re: Would Jesus be a greasy Uber driver today? Matthew 21:7 says no

If the colt had never been ridden before it would be unlikely to have "clothes" (saddle, bridle) so human clothes are more likely. The crowd would still be throwing their garments down in any event. Isn't it fairly warm in Jerusalem?

[Joanna Lytton-Vasey]

Re: Would Jesus be a greasy Uber driver today? Matthew 21:7 says no

If the colt had never been ridden before it would be unlikely to have "clothes" (saddle, bridle)

But Sister Mitza, even a newborn babe, who is born naked (if you'll excuse the vulgarity) is given his clothes. I would assume that, even if the colt had been previously un-ridden, the necessary accoutrements would have been available?

The crowd would still be throwing their garments down in any event. Isn't it fairly warm in Jerusalem?

But surely nobody would wish to smother a colt in the discarded raiment of the mob, for fear of over-heating the animal and thus causing it to collapse? This would very much have disrupted the proceedings.

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Re: Would Jesus be a greasy Uber driver today? Matthew 21:7 says no

The mystery deepens.

John 2:6
"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

Obviously not literally, if ass is available (or a colt, respectively). But Jesus is literally wanting us to be like Him. That means we should seek for others to bring us the ass. Am I stuck on the ass gag too long? So, it appears Jesus is telling us: take it but don't bring it. But then who among ye will bring the ass?

There's more - can't speak right now.

[MitzaLizalor]

Re: Would Jesus be a greasy Uber driver today? Matthew 21:7 says no

surely nobody would wish to smother a colt

I'm sorry, I may not have been clear.

verse 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

The multitude threw their clothes down on for the creatures to walk on then thronged around celebrating Jesus. Unless they brought extra clothes for the purpose, the garments spread out (like a sort of red carpet effect) would not be worn during the celebration.