Gospel Writers and Colts #T

The other day we were addressing some differences in the records of the Triumphal Entry and why they might have existed.  We observed that both Matthew and John specified that the animal Jesus requested for his entry into the city was the colt of a donkey.  Mark and Luke did not specify that the colt was a donkey.  Why? I asked.

Most scholars agree that Matthew was written by an anonymous author, but one who was well-versed in Jewish tradition and the Law.  Clearly he would have been familiar with the role of the donkey in the Exodus, its position in Jewish life, and of peter chamor.  He would have recognized the importance of distinguishing the colt as that of an ass.

Similarly though his life-style differed radically from that of the writer of Matthew, John, a cousin of Jesus according to tradition, would have been thoroughly familiar with the Law.  Mark and Luke, however, had much different backgrounds.  Mark was born in North Africa and though he became one of the Four Evangelists he was probably much less familiar with Jewish tradition.  Luke was born  in a Greek city and was quite possibly a gentile, though many scholars believe he was a Hellenistic Jew.  He was no doubt highly educated, a physician.  Rather than religious studies he would have focused on such scholars as Aesclepius, Hippocrates, Aristotle, and Pythagoras,  He became a traveling companion of Paul and doubtless learned most of what he knew of Christ, his life, and associated theology, from Paul.

Now we see the likelihood that Luke and Mark considered it of small import to specify that Jesus's mode of transport was a donkey, whereas Matthew and John were careful to include that detail in their account.

To us today it is a matter of scholarly interest to pursue detail and speculate on motive of persons long gone from the scene.  As a matter of importance, it would make no difference to us had he ridden into Jerusalem in a Mercedes limousine.  Well, except for the anachronism.  What matters to us is that Jesus Christ, Creator God, assumed human flesh, lived among men and died for us; that he arose from the dead and ascended to the Father where he prepares a place for us!