And when they came nigh to Jerusalem
The Syriac and Ethiopic versions read, "when he came nigh"; that is, Jesus; though not without his disciples, nor the multitude:
unto Bethphage and Bethany;
two places so called, near Jerusalem: Bethphage began where Bethany ended, and reached to the city itself. The Vulgate Latin only makes mention of Bethany; (See Gill on Matthew 21:1).
At the Mount of Olives;
near which, the above places were:
he sendeth forth two of his disciples;
perhaps Peter and John.