Luke 19:30

‘Saying, “Go your way into the village over against you, in which as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no man ever yet sat. Loose him, and bring him.” '

The ‘village over against you' is presumably Bethphage, which may also explain why its name is mentioned, and there they were to find an untried colt, which would be with its mother. They were then to loose it and bring it to Jesus. It is possible that the mother ass especially was available for hire by travellers. Most would not want to try to ride an untried colt. The site at the edge of the city would be seen as suitable for the hire of such animals. In the event it would be expected that the mother ass would accompany the colt, if only to keep it from becoming too nervous (Matthew 21:7).

However Jesus' intention to use the untried, unridden colt had religious significance (Numbers 19:2; Deu 21:3; 1 Samuel 6:7; 2 Samuel 6:3). It indicated either sacred use or use by royalty. Compare Genesis 49:11. There an ass's colt which is tied up is connected with the coming King. And see also Zechariah 9:9 where Israel's king comes to Jerusalem on an ass's colt. Luke in fact takes up this aspect of things for he concentrates in his account on the kingly aspects of the entry. He wants us to know that Israel's King is entering Jerusalem.