Luke 19 33

Luke 19:33 kjv

And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?

Luke 19:33 nkjv

But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, "Why are you loosing the colt?"

Luke 19:33 niv

As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"

Luke 19:33 esv

And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?"

Luke 19:33 nlt

And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, "Why are you untying that colt?"

Luke 19 verses

Luke 19 33 Meaning

Luke 19:33 describes the moment the owners of a donkey colt directly questioned Jesus' disciples as they began to untie it for His use. This simple yet profound query highlights the initial challenge to the disciples' seemingly unauthorized action, setting the scene for the fulfillment of prophecy and the display of Christ's divine foresight and sovereignty over all things, including material possessions.

Luke 19 33 Context

Luke 19:33 occurs within the narrative of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40), often referred to as Palm Sunday. Having finished His journey from Jericho, Jesus is approaching Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem. Conscious of the approaching Passover and His destined suffering, Jesus orchestrates His entry according to prophetic scripture (Zech 9:9). Prior to this verse, Jesus had given His disciples very specific instructions (Luke 19:30-31) about finding a tied colt that had never been ridden and how to respond if questioned by its owners. This immediate verse describes the exact moment that challenge materialized. Historically, entering Jerusalem on a donkey signified a peaceful king, unlike military conquerors who rode warhorses, thus aligning with the Messianic expectation of humility and peace, contrasting Roman imperial displays.

Luke 19 33 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A common Greek conjunction meaning "and," "but," "then." It serves as a narrative connector, continuing the sequence of events from the previous verse, indicating an immediate consequence or progression of action.
• as they were untying (ἀπολύοντων - apolyontōn): This is a present active participle in the genitive plural. The use of the present participle emphasizes an ongoing action: the disciples were in the act of untying the colt when they were addressed. It shows their immediate obedience to Jesus' command. The verb ἀπολύω (apolyō) means "to release," "untie," or "let go."
• it, (αὐτὸν - auton): Refers directly to "the colt" mentioned in the previous verses (Luke 19:30). It indicates the specific object of the disciples' action.
• its owners (οἱ κύριοι αὐτοῦ - hoi kyrioi autou):
  • οἱ (hoi): "the," definite article, plural nominative.
  • κύριοι (kyrioi): Plural of κύριος (kyrios), meaning "lord," "master," or "owner." This term explicitly identifies the individuals with legitimate possessive rights over the colt. The plural suggests more than one owner or a family/household collective.
  • αὐτοῦ (autou): "its," genitive pronoun, possessive.
  • This phrase clearly establishes the legal or customary authority of the people who are speaking, validating their right to ask the question that follows.
• said to them, (εἶπαν πρὸς αὐτούς - eipan pros autous):
  • εἶπαν (eipan): Third person plural aorist active indicative of λέγω (legō), "to say." This is a straightforward reporting of their verbal action.
  • πρὸς αὐτούς (pros autous): "to them," indicating the disciples were the direct recipients of the question.
• 'Why (Τί - Ti): An interrogative pronoun meaning "What?" or "Why?" In this context, it functions as a question of reason or justification. It expresses their bewilderment, concern, or possibly suspicion about why strangers are interfering with their property.
• are you untying (λύετε - lyete): Present active indicative, second person plural of λύω (lyō), "to untie," "to release." The present tense, like the participle earlier, signifies that the action is ongoing and witnessed by the owners. It highlights the direct observation of the unauthorized act. Note the slight difference from ἀπολύω earlier; both mean untying, but λύω is the simpler, direct form used here in the question.
• the colt?' (τὸν πῶλον - ton pōlon):
  • τὸν (ton): "the," definite article, masculine accusative singular.
  • πῶλον (pōlon): "colt," "foal," specifically a young donkey. This emphasizes the value and potential use of the animal, making the owners' concern entirely natural.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And as they were untying it,": This phrase emphasizes the immediate context of the questioning. The disciples are actively engaged in the task Jesus commanded, which is clearly visible and draws the owners' attention. It highlights the tangible fulfillment of Jesus' instructions.
• "its owners said to them,": This establishes the identity and right of the questioners. Their title, "owners," underscores their legitimate claim to the property and thus their right to challenge the disciples' actions, setting up a situation where Christ's authority will be directly or indirectly asserted.
• "'Why are you untying the colt?'": This question encapsulates the central challenge of the verse. It's not a hostile accusation but a fundamental inquiry into the justification behind an act that appears to be theft or unauthorized appropriation. It seeks explanation for the disciples' perceived trespassing on private property and sets the stage for the divinely provided answer from Luke 19:34.

Luke 19 33 Bonus section

• The event signifies a deliberate, pre-planned fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, showcasing Jesus as the promised Messiah entering Jerusalem not as a conquering warrior but as a humble, peaceful King.
• The colt "on which no one has ever sat" (Luke 19:30) symbolically echoes Old Testament requirements for animals used for sacred purposes (e.g., Num 19:2, Deut 21:3), signifying its purity and singular dedication to divine service, fit only for the Lord.
• The entire exchange, though brief, sets a powerful example of trusting and obeying Jesus' instructions, even when they seem unusual or could lead to difficult questions. The disciples' faith in following a directive to simply say "The Lord needs it" underscores their developing understanding of His divine authority.
• This verse subtly highlights that even common, owned possessions are subject to God's ultimate dominion. When "the Lord has need of it," even earthly claims give way.

Luke 19 33 Commentary

Luke 19:33 serves as a pivotal, concise moment in the Triumphal Entry narrative, demonstrating Jesus' pre-ordained plan and divine foreknowledge. The owners' natural query, "Why are you untying the colt?", reflects the real-world implications of the disciples' seemingly unauthorized action. This seemingly mundane interaction perfectly tests the disciples' obedience and allows for the fulfillment of Jesus' prior instruction: that simply stating "The Lord needs it" (Luke 19:34) would suffice. The brevity and immediate resolution of this challenge highlight Christ's quiet authority and the divine sovereignty behind even the most practical details of His ministry. It assures us that every aspect of God's plan, down to securing a colt, is orchestrated and within His knowledge, anticipating and providing for all circumstances.