Luke 19:33
And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
Original Language Analysis
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 15
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
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριοι
the owners
G2962
κύριοι
the owners
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
8 of 15
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 15
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
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
10 of 15
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 15
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
Τί
Why
G5101
Τί
Why
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
12 of 15
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
Historical Context
Property rights were sacred in Jewish law (Exodus 20:15). Taking someone's animal without permission constituted theft. The disciples were in a legally and socially awkward position, relying entirely on the authority of Jesus's name. This scenario would test whether they truly believed He was the Messiah with authority to requisition property.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when your obedience to Christ is questioned or challenged by others?
- What does this interaction teach about Jesus's concern to respect human ownership even while asserting His ultimate lordship?
- In what situations might you need to use the simple explanation 'The Lord has need of it' to justify seemingly unusual obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? (λυόντων...τῶν κυρίων αὐτοῦ, lyontōn...tōn kyriōn autou). The verb loose (λύω, lyō) will become thematically significant—Christ came to 'loose' (same root) those bound by sin. The owners (κύριοι, kyrioi—plural of 'lord') challenge the disciples, creating potential conflict that Jesus had foreseen and prepared them to navigate.
This seemingly mundane encounter reveals Christ's meticulous preparation. He arranged this beforehand, either supernaturally or through prior contact with sympathetic disciples in Bethany. The owners' question tests whether the disciples will faithfully deliver the message exactly as instructed. Their obedience to Christ's word, even when challenged, models faithful discipleship under pressure.