Luke 19:31
And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐάν
if
G1437
ἐάν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
2 of 16
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ἐρεῖτε
shall ye say
G2046
ἐρεῖτε
shall ye say
Strong's:
G2046
Word #:
9 of 16
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
αὐτοῦ
of him
G846
αὐτοῦ
of him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
Because
G3754
ὅτι
Because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
11 of 16
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
13 of 16
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
αὐτοῦ
of him
G846
αὐτοῦ
of him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
In the Roman Empire, military and governmental officials had the right of 'angaria'—requisitioning animals or supplies for official use. Jesus exercises a higher authority, claiming the colt not by Roman law but by messianic right. The phrase would simultaneously identify Jesus to the owner (who may have been a disciple or sympathizer) while asserting His lordship.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Christ's 'need' of the colt teach about how divine sovereignty relates to ordinary human possessions?
- How should Jesus's example here shape your attitude toward lending or giving your resources for Kingdom purposes?
- In what sense does Jesus, who created all things, 'need' anything from His creatures?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Because the Lord hath need of him (ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ χρείαν ἔχει, ho kyrios autou chreian echei)—this striking phrase reveals Jesus's divine prerogative. Lord (κύριος, kyrios) is the title used for both human masters and divine sovereignty. The phrase could mean 'its master needs it' or 'the Lord needs it,' creating deliberate ambiguity that Jesus's disciples would understand christologically.
The sovereign God who owns 'the cattle on a thousand hills' (Psalm 50:10) here asserts His right to requisition what is His. Yet He does so with courtesy through His messengers, modeling how divine authority respects human property even while superseding it. This anticipates how Christ later taught His disciples to give to Caesar what is Caesar's—while implicitly claiming all things as His own.