Mark 11:5
New International Version
some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?”

New Living Translation
As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?”

English Standard Version
And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”

Berean Standard Bible
and some who were standing there asked, “Why are you untying the colt?”

Berean Literal Bible
and some of those standing there were saying to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?"

King James Bible
And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

New King James Version
But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”

New American Standard Bible
And some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”

NASB 1995
Some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”

NASB 1977
And some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”

Amplified Bible
Some of the people who were standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”

Christian Standard Bible
and some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the donkey?”

American Standard Version
And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

Contemporary English Version
some of the people standing there asked, "Why are you untying the donkey?"

English Revised Version
And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
some men standing there asked them, "Why are you untying that donkey?"

Good News Translation
some of the bystanders asked them, "What are you doing, untying that colt?"

International Standard Version
some men standing there asked them, "What are you doing untying that colt?"

Majority Standard Bible
and some who were standing there asked, “Why are you untying the colt?”

NET Bible
Some people standing there said to them, "What are you doing, untying that colt?"

New Heart English Bible
Some of those who stood there asked them, "What are you doing, untying the young donkey?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And certain of them that stood there, said to them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

Weymouth New Testament
when some of the bystanders called out, "What are you doing, untying the foal?"

World English Bible
Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing, untying the young donkey?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and certain of those standing there said to them, “What do you—loosing the colt?”

Berean Literal Bible
and some of those standing there were saying to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?"

Young's Literal Translation
and certain of those standing there said to them, 'What do ye -- loosing the colt?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And certain standing there said to them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And some of them that stood there, said to them: What do you loosing the colt?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And some of those who were standing there said to them, “What are you doing by releasing the colt?”

New American Bible
Some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”

New Revised Standard Version
some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Some of the men who stood there said to them, What are you doing, are you untying the colt?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Some among those who were standing there said to them, “What are you doing that you are untying the colt?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And some of those who were standing there, said to them: Why are you loosing the colt?

Godbey New Testament
And certain ones of those standing there said to them, What are you doing, loosing the colt?

Haweis New Testament
Then some of those who stood by, said unto them, What are ye about, untying the colt?

Mace New Testament
upon which some people there said to them, what do you mean by untying the colt?

Weymouth New Testament
when some of the bystanders called out, "What are you doing, untying the foal?"

Worrell New Testament
And some of those standing there said to them, "What do ye, loosing the colt?"

Worsley New Testament
And some of the people that stood there, said to them, What do ye mean by untying the colt?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Triumphal Entry
4So they went and found the colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. They untied it, 5and some who were standing there asked, “Why are you untying the colt?” 6The disciples answered as Jesus had instructed them, and the people gave them permission.…

Cross References
Matthew 21:2-3
saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me. / If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

Luke 19:30-31
saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. / If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

John 12:14-15
Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written: / “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion. See, your King is coming, seated on the colt of a donkey.”

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Matthew 21:6-7
So the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. / They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.

Luke 19:32-34
So those who were sent went out and found it just as Jesus had told them. / As they were untying the colt, its owners asked, “Why are you untying the colt?” / “The Lord needs it,” they answered.

John 12:16
At first His disciples did not understand these things, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered what had been done to Him, and they realized that these very things had also been written about Him.

Matthew 21:4-5
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: / “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Luke 19:35-36
Then they led the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks over it, and put Jesus on it. / As He rode along, the people spread their cloaks on the road.

John 12:12-13
The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. / They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”

2 Kings 9:13
Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. Then they blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”

Genesis 49:11
He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.

Isaiah 62:11
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”

Psalm 118:25-26
O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper! / Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.

Matthew 21:8-9
A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. / The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”


Treasury of Scripture

And certain of them that stood there said to them, What do you, loosing the colt?

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Ass Bystanders Colt Donkey Foal Loosing Standing Stood Untying Young
Mark 11
1. Jesus rides with triumph into Jerusalem;
12. curses the fruitless fig tree;
15. purges the temple;
20. exhorts his disciples to steadfastness of faith, and to forgive their enemies;
27. and defends his actions by the witness of John, who was a man sent of God.














and some who were standing there
This phrase sets the scene in a bustling environment, likely near the entrance to Jerusalem. The Greek word for "standing" (ἑστῶτες, hestōtes) implies a stationary position, suggesting these individuals were observers or bystanders. Historically, Jerusalem was a hub of activity, especially during Passover, when pilgrims from all over would gather. The presence of these bystanders highlights the public nature of Jesus' actions and the communal atmosphere of the time.

asked
The Greek word used here is ἔλεγον (elegon), which can mean to ask or to say. This indicates a verbal inquiry, reflecting the curiosity or concern of the bystanders. In the cultural context, questioning was a common way to seek understanding or clarification, especially in a society where oral communication was primary. This question sets the stage for the unfolding of a significant prophetic act.

Why are you untying the colt?
The act of untying the colt is central to this passage. The Greek word λύετε (lyete) for "untying" suggests releasing or setting free. This action is symbolic, as it fulfills the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 about the Messiah entering Jerusalem on a colt. The colt, a young donkey, represents humility and peace, contrasting with the war horses of earthly kings. The question posed by the bystanders reflects a natural curiosity but also serves to emphasize the fulfillment of prophecy. In a broader scriptural context, this moment signifies Jesus' deliberate and prophetic entry into Jerusalem, marking the beginning of the Passion Week. The colt's untying is a metaphor for liberation and the ushering in of a new covenant through Christ.

(5) And certain of them that stood there.--This again, though perhaps implied in our Lord's words, is not reported by St. Matthew.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
and
καί (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

some
τινες (tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

who were
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

standing
ἑστηκότων (hestēkotōn)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

there
ἐκεῖ (ekei)
Adverb
Strong's 1563: (a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither.

asked,
ἔλεγον (elegon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Why
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

are you
ποιεῖτε (poieite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

untying
λύοντες (lyontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3089: A primary verb; to 'loosen'.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

colt?”
πῶλον (pōlon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4454: A colt, young ass, foal. Apparently a primary word; a 'foal' or 'filly', i.e., a young ass.


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NT Gospels: Mark 11:5 Some of those who stood there asked (Mar Mk Mr)
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