“in front of.” Jesus was traveling from Jericho on what is known as “the Jericho Road,” the road from Jericho to Jerusalem. It is only about a 15-mile journey, and thus a person can walk it in one long day, however, it is a steep climb. Jericho is more than 800 feet below sea level, and the Mount of Olives, which Jesus had to climb and from which he would get the view of Jerusalem (Luke 20:41) is over 2,500 feet high, making the ascent well over 3,000 feet. Jesus would reach Bethphage and Bethany before he reached the summit of the Mount of Olives.

“colt.” This “colt” is not a young horse, but a young donkey (Matt. 21:2-5; cp. Zech. 9:9).