Mark 11 3

Mark 11:3 kjv

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.

Mark 11:3 nkjv

And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it,' and immediately he will send it here."

Mark 11:3 niv

If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'?"

Mark 11:3 esv

If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.'"

Mark 11:3 nlt

If anyone asks, 'What are you doing?' just say, 'The Lord needs it and will return it soon.'"

Mark 11 verses

Mark 11 3 Meaning

Mark 11:3 succinctly reveals Jesus' divine foreknowledge, sovereign authority, and purpose as He orchestrates His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It conveys that Christ is the rightful "Lord" (Kyrios), possessing the ultimate claim over all creation, and that the fulfillment of His divine plan is not subject to human interference but unfolds precisely according to His "need." This brief statement demonstrates the ease with which creation, through the owner's immediate compliance, submits to the divine will, ensuring His arrival as the promised King, not by force, but by pre-ordained consent.

Mark 11 3 Context

Mark 11:3 is set in the immediate lead-up to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, often referred to as Palm Sunday. Chapter 11 opens with Jesus and His disciples nearing Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. This event marks a crucial shift in Jesus' public ministry; it is His deliberate presentation of Himself as the Messiah, the King, predicted by the prophets, entering His capital city. The previous verse (Mark 11:2) instructs the disciples to find a colt "on which no one has ever sat," signifying its dedication for a special, sacred purpose. The historical and cultural context involves the expectation of a Messiah-King by the Jewish people, yet their vision often involved a conquering hero. Jesus' entry on a humble colt, rather than a warhorse, quietly fulfills Zechariah 9:9, signaling a King of peace and humility, yet one with divine authority. The interaction concerning the colt also highlights a moment where mundane resources become consecrated for God's redemptive plan.

Mark 11 3 Word analysis

• And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?'

  • And if anyone (καί ἐάν τις / kai ean tis): This anticipates a predictable, immediate objection, suggesting a real-world scenario of potential inquiry or accusation for taking someone else's property.
  • says (εἴπῃ / eipē): Future active indicative, "should say," conveying a potential yet expected challenge.
  • to you (ὑμῖν / hymin): Plural, referring to the two disciples sent (Mark 11:1).
  • 'Why (τί / ti)': Direct question challenging the action.
  • 'are you doing this (ποιεῖτε τοῦτο / poieite touto)?': Indicates concern or challenge regarding the legality or morality of untying an unowned or temporarily unused animal.

• say, 'The Lord has need of it,'

  • say (εἴπατε / eipate): Imperative, a direct command to the disciples.
  • 'The Lord (Ὁ Κύριος / Ho Kyrios)':
    • Ὁ (Ho): The definite article "The," specifically identifies Jesus as the Lord, not just "a lord" or master. This is a profound claim of divine authority.
    • Κύριος (Kyrios): Greek term meaning "Lord," "Master," or "Owner." In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), it frequently translates YHWH. Here, it signifies Jesus' divine nature, supreme authority, and ownership over all creation. It implies not just ownership but a rightful claim.
  • has need of it (χρείαν ἔχει / chreian echei):
    • χρείαν (chreian): "Need" or "necessity." It's not a polite request but a statement of divine necessity for His sovereign purpose.
    • ἔχει (echei): "Has." Present tense, conveying an immediate and ongoing divine requirement.

• and immediately he will send it back here.

  • and immediately (καί εὐθέως / kai eutheōs):
    • καί (kai): "And," connecting the compliance directly to the divine declaration.
    • εὐθέως (eutheōs): "Immediately," "at once." This is a characteristic Markan adverb emphasizing urgency, certainty, and swift action. It highlights the divine orchestrating, demonstrating the power and authority of Jesus' word. The owner's compliance is instant.
  • he will send (ἀποστέλλει / apostellei - note: Some MSS/translations read this as present indicative with future sense, others a clear future tense like pempsei as in parallels): This confirms the temporary nature of the use. The colt is not being stolen, but consecrated for a specific divine purpose and then returned. It speaks to Jesus' integrity and divine stewardship.
  • it back here (πάλιν ὧδε / palin hōde):
    • πάλιν (palin): "Again" or "back," emphasizing the return.
    • ὧδε (hōde): "Here," specifying its return to the place of origin.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Why are you doing this?" vs. "The Lord has need of it": This juxtaposition showcases the contrast between human questioning, limited perspective, and the undeniable declaration of divine authority. The answer transcends simple explanation and appeals to an unassailable claim.
  • "The Lord has need of it, and immediately he will send it back here": This phrase functions as a concise divine command and guarantee. It demonstrates Jesus' absolute authority (owner's immediate compliance) and His perfect foreknowledge (knowing the colt's whereabouts, its being untied, and its certain return). It is a testimony to His lordship and integrity.

Mark 11 3 Bonus section

The colt "on which no one has ever sat" (from Mark 11:2) is significant because, in ancient Near Eastern customs and Old Testament sacrificial laws (e.g., Num 19:2; Deut 21:3; 1 Sam 6:7), an unyoked or unridden animal was considered ceremonially clean and set apart for sacred purposes. This detail underscores the purity and consecrated nature of the animal chosen to bear the Messiah, reflecting His own holiness and the sacredness of His kingly entry. This unridden colt highlights that this was not merely any animal, but one uniquely suitable for carrying the King of Kings, who was both divine and a sacrificial lamb. The swiftness of the owner's response upon hearing "The Lord has need of it" speaks volumes about the recognized authority associated with this title, or the sovereign power of Christ influencing the owner's will, paving the way for the Messianic procession without resistance.

Mark 11 3 Commentary

Mark 11:3 is a miniature revelation of Jesus' nature and power at the very threshold of His Passion week. His detailed instructions to the disciples concerning an "unowned" animal underscore His supernatural foreknowledge, confirming His omniscience. More profoundly, the specified reply, "The Lord has need of it," serves not as a mere explanation but as an authoritative declaration. The definite article "the" before "Lord" (Greek Ho Kyrios) is crucial; it implicitly asserts Jesus' divine identity as the one to whom ultimate authority and ownership belong, invoking a name often applied to God Himself in the Old Testament. The phrase "has need of it" is not a plea or a request, but a statement of sovereign necessity – a divine mandate. The subsequent "immediately he will send it back here" further reinforces Jesus' authority, illustrating His ability to command events and minds, and His unwavering integrity, assuring the rightful return of the property. This brief exchange encapsulates Jesus as the sovereign Lord, perfectly executing God's prophetic plan with unwavering control and profound purpose.