What does Luke 19:32 mean?

Jesus and His disciples are east of Jerusalem around the area of Bethany and Bethphage. They have come for the Passover feast along with thousands of other Jews. Until this point, they have most likely walked; there's no mention of the disciples riding or even using a pack animal. Now, however, as they prepare to enter Jerusalem, Jesus tells two disciples to "Go into the village in front of you" and bring back a donkey colt. So, they walk to the village and find the colt, just as Jesus said (Luke 19:28–31).

Matthew and Mark add other details. The colt is with its mother and the disciples bring both, suggesting the colt is quite young (Matthew 21:2, 7). The donkeys are tied up outside, in the street; they aren't inside a house or in a corral in a livery (Mark 11:4).

The point isn't in the details, however. It's that Jesus knows where the colt will be and the disciples trust Him enough to get it. When they are challenged, as Jesus warns will happen, they simply repeat the words He gave them: "The Lord has need of it," and they are allowed to take the donkeys (Luke 19:30–31, 33–34). Maybe the disciples act so willingly because they've just heard or witnessed how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11). Remaining faithful during Jesus' trials and crucifixion proves to be a much harder exercise of trust (Mark 14:50).