Mark 11:3
And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
In first-century Palestine, temporary requisition of animals by traveling rabbis or officials was not uncommon, especially during Passover when Jerusalem swelled with pilgrims. However, the phrase "the Lord has need" would have carried profound theological weight. The owner's immediate compliance (v. 6) suggests he may have been a disciple or sympathizer who recognized Jesus' authority. Alternatively, Jesus' supernatural foreknowledge may have so precisely predicted the situation that events unfolded exactly as He said. The trilingual inscription on Jesus' cross (John 19:19-20) later proclaimed Him "King" in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek—here His messianic claim begins subtly with the title "Lord." Early Christians used Kyrios as their primary christological confession: "Jesus is Lord" (Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 2:11).
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus' use of the title 'Lord' reveal about His self-understanding and His claim to divine authority?
- How does the owner's immediate compliance illustrate God's sovereign orchestration of events to fulfill His redemptive purposes?
- In what ways does this passage demonstrate that Jesus' crucifixion was not an accident but a carefully orchestrated divine plan?
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Analysis & Commentary
If any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him (ὁ Κύριος αὐτοῦ χρείαν ἔχει)—the title Kyrios (Κύριος, "Lord") is pivotal. In the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), Kyrios translates the divine name Yahweh. By instructing the disciples to say "the Lord has need," Jesus makes a veiled claim to divine authority. The phrase also reveals the incarnational paradox: the Lord of heaven and earth "has need" of a donkey—divinity embracing the limitations of humanity.
And straightway he will send him hither (εὐθὺς αὐτὸν ἀποστέλλει πάλιν ὧδε)—Jesus predicts the owner's immediate compliance. The adverb euthys (εὐθύς, "straightway") appears frequently in Mark's Gospel, emphasizing urgency and immediacy. The owner's unhesitating cooperation suggests either prior arrangement or, more likely, divine sovereignty moving human hearts to accomplish prophetic purposes. Reformed theology emphasizes God's providence: nothing happens by chance, and human decisions fulfill divine plans without violating human agency.