Matthew 21 3

Matthew 21:3 kjv

And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

Matthew 21:3 nkjv

And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."

Matthew 21:3 niv

If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

Matthew 21:3 esv

If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once."

Matthew 21:3 nlt

If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will immediately let you take them."

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 3 Meaning

Matthew 21:3 details specific instructions given by Jesus to His disciples concerning the acquisition of a donkey and a colt. It outlines the precise reply they are to give if questioned about taking the animals: "The Lord hath need of them." This directive emphasizes Jesus' divine authority, sovereign knowledge of events, and the necessity of these animals for the fulfillment of prophetic scripture regarding His triumphal entry into Jerusalem as a humble King. The verse highlights an immediate and certain response from the animals' owner, demonstrating the irresistibility of Christ's will.

Matthew 21 3 Context

Matthew chapter 21 opens with Jesus nearing Jerusalem, specifically Bethany and Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives. This sets the stage for His pre-planned entry into the holy city for Passover. The event described in verse 3 is integral to the triumphal entry, which signals the beginning of the Passion Week. Culturally, riding a donkey, particularly an unridden colt as mentioned in parallel accounts (Mk 11:2; Lk 19:30), conveyed a message of peace and humility, as opposed to a warhorse ridden by a conquering general. This action was a deliberate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah. Historically, property ownership was well-defined, making the instruction for taking the animals and the prepared answer essential. The divine foresight and authority conveyed in Jesus' instructions affirm His unique identity, challenging both the traditional Jewish expectations of a politically aggressive Messiah and common human concepts of property.

Matthew 21 3 Word analysis

• And if any man say ought unto you (Καὶ ἐάν τις ὑμῖν εἴπῃ τι - Kai ean tis hymin eipē ti):

  • And (Kai): Connects this instruction directly to the preceding command to retrieve the animals, indicating a sequence of events and a potential challenge.
  • if any man (ean tis): Indefinite pronoun, meaning "if someone," anticipating a hypothetical, but expected, query from an unknown individual. This reveals Jesus' foreknowledge of the specific human interaction.
  • say ought (eipē ti): "say anything" or "speak something." Suggests a question or objection about the disciples taking property that isn't theirs. This preempts any natural human response of surprise or disapproval.
  • unto you (hymin): Directly to the disciples, who were the agents in this task. It instructs them how to respond when faced with interrogation.

• ye shall say (ἐρεῖτε - ereite):

  • Future indicative. This is a direct, imperative command from Jesus to His disciples on what they must declare. It signifies the authoritative nature of their response, not merely a suggestion. It also implies their unhesitating obedience.

• The Lord (Ὁ Κύριος - Ho Kyrios):

  • This is the critical element of the response. "The Lord" in the Greek (Septuagint) is often used to translate YHWH (Yahweh), the personal name for God. When applied to Jesus here, it is a significant declaration of His divine authority and rightful claim. It signifies His absolute sovereignty over creation and people, implying an owner would recognize or yield to this claim. It is not just a lord, but the Lord.

• hath need of them (χρείαν ἔχει αὐτῶν - chreian echei autōn):

  • hath need (chreian echei): Literally "has need." This does not imply destitution or dependence on the Lord's part, as if He lacks anything. Rather, it signifies divine necessity and purpose. It's a statement of His rightful claim, implying that the animals are required for a sacred, pre-ordained purpose, ultimately for His Messianic manifestation. It's a "divine summons" or requisition.
  • of them (autōn): Refers directly to the specific donkey and colt previously mentioned in verse 2, demonstrating Jesus' precise foresight of even minute details.

• and straightway he will send them (καὶ εὐθέως ἀποστελεῖ αὐτούς - kai eutheōs apostelei autous):

  • and straightway (kai eutheōs): "Immediately," "at once." This conveys the certainty and promptness of the owner's response. It implies that Jesus' name and declared "need" carry immediate and unquestionable authority, overcoming any potential human objection. It testifies to Jesus' power over hearts and circumstances.
  • he will send them (apostelei autous): Refers to the owner willingly releasing the animals. This again underscores Jesus' control and foreknowledge, not only of the owner's permission but also of their swift action. It highlights a divinely orchestrated compliance.

Matthew 21 3 Bonus section

The seemingly casual request for animals reveals several deeper truths. The owner's willingness to "send them" immediately without further questioning suggests either that the owner was a secret follower or disciple who recognized the code phrase from a pre-arrangement, or more powerfully, that the very command from "the Lord" carried such inherent authority that resistance was impossible. This hints at the divine magnetism and power inherent in Christ, capable of compelling even unforeseen circumstances. The parallel Gospel accounts (Mark 11:2 and Luke 19:30) specify that the colt had "never been sat upon" – a detail significant in ancient custom, as an animal unused by man was often designated for sacred use or rituals, making it fitting for the Messiah's entry. This adds to the verse's portrayal of Jesus' meticulous divine orchestration and proprietorship over creation, indicating that these animals were consecrated, in a sense, for His use.

Matthew 21 3 Commentary

Matthew 21:3 stands as a concise yet powerful testament to Jesus' divine attributes and His purposeful journey to Jerusalem. Far from being a mere request, Jesus' instruction is a display of His omniscience, knowing the exact location of the animals, their unridden status (from parallel accounts), the potential question, and the owner's immediate, compliant response. The core of the instruction lies in the declaration, "The Lord hath need of them." This phrase is pivotal, establishing Jesus' identity as "the Lord" (ὁ Κύριος), implying a divine prerogative that overrides ordinary human property rights and wills. His "need" is not born of a deficiency, but of His divine plan for the fulfillment of prophecy, namely His entry into Jerusalem as the King of Peace (Zech 9:9). The owner's unhesitating compliance, "straightway he will send them," affirms the irresistible nature of Jesus' divine authority, orchestrating circumstances and human hearts for His holy purpose. This short verse illustrates His sovereignty over all things, setting the stage for the dramatic events of Passion Week and challenging any notion of human autonomy apart from divine will.

For instance, this can be applied to believers today: when the Lord "has need" of something in our lives – our time, resources, or obedience – His command comes with the same divine authority and expected swift compliance, even if it seems counter-intuitive from a worldly perspective.