Luke 19:33
As they were untying the colt, its owners asked, "Why are you untying the colt?"
As they were untying the colt
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The act of untying the colt is symbolic, representing the fulfillment of prophecy and the release of something significant for God's purpose. The Greek word for "untying" is λύω (luo), which can also mean to release or set free. This act signifies the preparation for Jesus' entry as the prophesied King, echoing Zechariah 9:9, where a king comes "righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey." The colt, a young donkey, is a humble creature, emphasizing Jesus' approachability and His kingdom's nature, which contrasts with worldly power and pride.

its owners asked
The mention of "owners" introduces a human element into the divine plan. The Greek term used here is κύριοι (kurioi), which can mean lords or masters. This highlights the authority and possession they have over the colt. However, their willingness to let the colt go upon hearing the disciples' explanation (as seen in the following verses) suggests a divine orchestration and readiness to participate in God's plan. It reflects the broader theme of stewardship and the call to recognize God's ultimate ownership over all creation. Historically, this moment underscores the communal life in first-century Judea, where property and resources were often shared for the greater good, especially in fulfilling religious duties.

Why are you untying the colt?
This question reflects a natural human curiosity and concern for property. It also serves as a narrative device to highlight the obedience and faith of the disciples, who act on Jesus' instructions without hesitation. The question posed by the owners is an opportunity for the disciples to declare the Lord's need, which they do in the subsequent verse. This interaction is a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's call, even when it involves stepping into uncertain or potentially confrontational situations. Theologically, it invites believers to trust in God's provision and timing, knowing that He prepares hearts and circumstances for His purposes. The historical context of this event, occurring during the Passover season, a time of heightened religious activity and expectation, adds to the urgency and significance of the disciples' mission.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure of the Gospel, who is about to enter Jerusalem in fulfillment of prophecy.

2. The Disciples
Followers of Jesus who are tasked with fetching the colt for His entry into Jerusalem.

3. The Owners of the Colt
Individuals who question the disciples about untying the colt, demonstrating a moment of potential conflict or misunderstanding.

4. The Colt
A young donkey that Jesus rides into Jerusalem, symbolizing peace and fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.

5. Jerusalem
The city where Jesus is heading, significant as the center of Jewish worship and the place of His impending crucifixion.
Teaching Points
Obedience to Christ's Commands
The disciples demonstrate obedience by following Jesus' instructions without question. This teaches us the importance of trusting and obeying God's directives, even when they may not make immediate sense to us.

Fulfillment of Prophecy
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a colt fulfills Zechariah's prophecy, underscoring the reliability of God's Word. Believers can find assurance in the fulfillment of biblical prophecies as evidence of God's sovereign plan.

Divine Provision and Authority
The situation with the colt's owners shows God's provision and authority over circumstances. When God calls us to a task, He also provides the means and authority to accomplish it.

Peaceful Kingship
Jesus riding a colt, rather than a warhorse, symbolizes His peaceful mission. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody and promote peace in our interactions and relationships.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the obedience of the disciples in this passage challenge us in our daily walk with Christ?

2. In what ways does the fulfillment of prophecy in this event strengthen your faith in the reliability of Scripture?

3. How can we apply the concept of divine provision and authority in our current life situations?

4. What does Jesus' choice of a colt instead of a warhorse teach us about His mission and character?

5. How can we, as modern-day believers, promote peace in our communities, following the example of Jesus' peaceful entry into Jerusalem?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Zechariah 9:9
This Old Testament prophecy foretells the coming of a king riding on a donkey, which Jesus fulfills in this passage.

Matthew 21:1-11
Provides a parallel account of the triumphal entry, offering additional details and perspectives.

Mark 11:1-10
Another synoptic account that aligns with Luke's account, emphasizing the fulfillment of prophecy.

John 12:12-19
Highlights the reaction of the crowd and the significance of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.
Christ's RoyaltyW. Clarkson Luke 19:28-38
All Ought to Praise GodJ. Parker, D. D.Luke 19:28-40
Christ Journeying to JerusalemExpository OutlinesLuke 19:28-40
Enthusiasm in ReligionDavid Gregg.Luke 19:28-40
Every Good Man is Needful to Complete God's DesignAustin Phelps.Luke 19:28-40
Guilty Silence in Christ's CauseW. Jay.Luke 19:28-40
He Went BeforeP. B. Power, M. A.Luke 19:28-40
Hosannas to JesusN. H. Van Arsdale.Luke 19:28-40
Jesus Our Meek and Humble KingStauss.Luke 19:28-40
One LordLuke 19:28-40
OwnershipJ. Bolton, B. A.Luke 19:28-40
Praise Thy God, O ZionC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 19:28-40
The Coming KingJ. Treanor, B. A.Luke 19:28-40
The Lord's NeedJ. B. Meharry, B. A.Luke 19:28-40
The Triumphal EntryDavid Gregg.Luke 19:28-40
Thefulfilment of Minute PropheciesJ. Parker, D. D.Luke 19:28-40
Why We are Needful to GodChristian AgeLuke 19:28-40
The Advent of the Humble KingR.M. Edgar Luke 19:28-48
People
Jesus, Zacchaeus
Places
Bethany, Bethphage, Jericho, Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Olivet
Topics
Ass, Colt, Getting, Loose, Loosing, Masters, Owners, Taking, Thereof, Untying
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 19:33

     5395   lordship, human and divine

Luke 19:28-38

     7241   Jerusalem, significance

Luke 19:29-34

     2590   Christ, triumphal entry

Luke 19:29-44

     2590   Christ, triumphal entry

Luke 19:30-35

     4621   colt

Library
August 31 Evening
Occupy till I come.--LUKE 19:13. The Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.--Unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.--Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?--Leaving
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

October 28. "Thou Good Servant, Because Thou Hast Been Faithful in a Very Little, have Thou Authority Over Ten Cities" (Luke xix. 17).
"Thou good servant, because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities" (Luke xix. 17). It is not our success in service that counts, but our fidelity. Caleb and Joshua were faithful and God remembered it when the day of visitation came. It was a very difficult and unpopular position, and all of us are called in the crisis of our lives to stand alone and in this very matter of trusting God for victory over sin and our full inheritance in Christ we have all to be
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Kingdom of Christ
LUKE xix. 41. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it. Let us think awhile what was meant by our Lord's weeping over Jerusalem. We ought to learn thereby somewhat more of our Lord's character, and of our Lord's government. Why did he weep over that city whose people would, in a few days, mock him, scourge him, crucify him, and so fill up the measure of their own iniquity? Had Jesus been like too many, who since his time have fancied themselves saints and prophets, would
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

Melted by Kindness
'And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house.' --LUKE xix. 5. It is characteristic of Luke that only he tells the story of Zacchaeus. He always dwells with special interest on incidents bringing out the character of Christ as the Friend of outcasts. His is eminently the Gospel of forgiveness. For example, we owe to Him the three supreme parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Trading Servants
'Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.... And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.' --LUKE xix.16, 18. The Evangelist, contrary to his usual practice, tells us what was the occasion of this parable. It was spoken at Jericho, on our Lord's last journey to Jerusalem, Bethany was but a day's march distant; Calvary but a week ahead. An unusual tension of spirit marked our Lord's demeanour, and was noticed by the disciples with awe. It infected
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Rewards of the Trading Servants
'Because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities... Be thou also over five cities.'--LUKE xix. 17, 19. The relation between this parable of the pounds and the other of the talents has often been misunderstood, and is very noteworthy. They are not two editions of one parable variously manipulated by the Evangelists, but they are two parables presenting two kindred and yet diverse aspects of one truth. They are neither identical, as some have supposed, nor contradictory,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

A New Kind of King
'And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38. Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 38. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto Him, Master, rebuke Thy disciples. 40. And He answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

December the Eighteenth the Sinner's Guest
"He is gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner." --LUKE xix. 1-10. It was hurled as an accusation; it has been treasured as a garland. It was first said in contempt; it is repeated in adoration. It was thought to reveal His earthliness; it is now seen to unveil His glory. Our Saviour seeks the home of the sinner. The Best desires to be the guest of the worst. He spreads His kindnesses for the outcasts, and He offers His friendship to the exile on the loneliest road. He waits to befriend the
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

August the Twenty-Sixth Missing the Lord
"Thou knowest not the time of thy visitation." --LUKE xix. 37-44. Yes, that has been my sad experience. I have wasted some of my wealthiest seasons. I have treated the hour as common and worthless, and the priceless opportunity has passed. There have been times when my Lord has come to me, and I have turned Him away from my door. He so often journeys "incognito," and if I am thoughtless I dismiss Him, and so lose the privilege of heavenly communion and benediction. He knocks at my door as a Carpenter,
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Effectual Calling
1. Now, first, effectual calling is a very gracious truth. You may guess this from the fact that Zaccheus was a character whom we should suppose the last to be saved. He belonged to a bad city--Jericho--a city which had been cursed, and no one would suspect that any one would come out of Jericho to be saved. It was near Jericho that the man fell among thieves; we trust Zaccheus had no hand in it; but there are some who, while they are publicans, can be thieves also. We might as well expect converts
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The Mission of the Son of Man
Our text announces as a declaration of our Saviour, that he, the Son of Man, is come to seek and to save that which was lost. In addressing you this morning, I shall simply divide my discourse thus:--First, I shall lay it down as a selfevident truth, that whatever was the intention of Christ in his coming into the world that intention most certainly shall never be frustrated. We shall then in the second place, look into the intention of Christ, as announced in the text, viz., "to seek and to save
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

A Day to be Remembered
"And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house."--Luke 19:9. OBSERVE, DEAR FRIENDS, that our Lord spoke this sentence to Zacchaeus. Some of us may have fancied that he said it to the objecting people, but he did not. They may have heard it, and their objection may have been answered by it, but the main purpose of our blessed Lord, in uttering those words, was not to answer objectors, but to comfort one who might feel dispirited by their murmuring remark. Therefore, "Jesus said
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 46: 1900

The Honoured Guest
ARE you prepared, like Zaccheus, to give the Lord Jesus Christ a glad and grateful welcome? If we would obtain the full benefit of his devoted life, his atoning death, and his triumphant resurrection, we must receive him into our hearts by simple faith, and entertain him with tender love. Outside the door of our heart Jesus is a stranger; he is no Saviour to us; but inside the heart which has been opened, by divine grace, to admit him, his power is displayed, his worth is known, and his goodness
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Tears of Christ.
(Tenth Sunday after Trinity.) S. LUKE xix. 41. "He beheld the city, and wept over it." The saddest sight, save one, in the history of the world is that pictured in the text--the Son of God weeping over the city which God had chosen to put His Name there. Let us, in fancy, to-day look upon the scene on which our Saviour looked, and recall the history of that city which had lost sight of the things concerning her peace. No other city in the world, not even Rome, has such a wonderful story as Jerusalem.
H. J. Wilmot-Buxton—The Life of Duty, a Year's Plain Sermons, v. 2

The Consequences of Sin.
10th Sunday after Trinity. S. Luke xix, 42. "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." INTRODUCTION.--I spoke to you the other day about the measure of sin, and showed you that there was a certain limit allotted to every man, beyond which he could not go and still expect forgiveness, a point in the downward course at which the Holy Spirit will cease to strive to hold him back. We see in this day's Gospel
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Ciii. Zacchæus. Parable of the Pounds. Journey to Jerusalem.
(Jericho.) ^C Luke XIX. 1-28. ^c 1 And he entered and was passing through Jericho. [This was about one week before the crucifixion. Jericho is about seven miles from the Jordan and about seventeen and a half from Jerusalem.] 2 And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. [See p. 76. It is probable that Zacchæus was a sub-contractor under some Roman knight who had bought the privilege of collecting taxes at Jericho, or perhaps the privilege of all
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

In Jericho and at Bethany - Jericho - a Guest with Zacchæus - the Healing of Blind Bartimæus - the Plot at Jerusalem - at Bethany,
ONCE more, and now for the last time, were the fords of Jordan passed, and Christ was on the soil of Judæa proper. Behind Him were Peræa and Galilee; behind Him the Ministry of the Gospel by Word and Deed; before Him the final Act of His Life, towards which all had consciously tended. Rejected as the Messiah of His people, not only in His Person but as regarded the Kingdom of God, which, in fulfilment of prophecy and of the merciful Counsel of God, He had come to establish, He was of
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Last Week of Jesus.
Jesus did in fact set out with his disciples to see once more, and for the last time, the unbelieving city. The hopes of his companions were more and more exalted. All believed, in going up to Jerusalem, that the kingdom of God was about to be realized there.[1] The impiety of men being at its height, was regarded as a great sign that the consummation was at hand. The persuasion in this respect was such, that they already disputed for precedence in the kingdom.[2] This was, it is said, the moment
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

The Servants and the Pounds.
"And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses Men in Human Language...
CHAPTER XXXIV. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION. 1. Since the Bible addresses men in human language, and according to human modes of thinking and speaking, the interpreter's first work is to ascertain the meaning of the terms employed. Here he must proceed as in the case of other writings, seeking by the aid of grammars, lexicons, cognate languages, ancient versions, ancient interpreters, and whatever other outward helps are available, to gain a thorough knowledge of the language employed by
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Monday in Passion Week. And when He was Come Near, He Beheld the City and Wept Over It.
And when He was come near, He beheld the city and wept over it. Du weinest für Jerusalem [76]Heermann. 1630. trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855 Thou weepest o'er Jerusalem, Lord Jesus, bitter tears; But deepest comfort lies in them For us, whose sins have filled our soul with tears: Since they that tell, When sinners turn to Thee Thou lov'st it well, And surely wilt efface, of Thy unbounded grace, All the misdeeds that on our conscience dwell. When God's just wrath and anger burn Against
Catherine Winkworth—Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year

Epistle Xlvii. To Dominicus, Bishop.
To Dominicus, Bishop. Gregory to Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage [1454] . We have received with the utmost gratification the letters of your Fraternity, which have reached us somewhat late by the hands of Donatus and Quodvultdeus, our most reverend brethren and fellow-bishops, and also Victor the deacon with Agilegius the notary. And though we thought that we had suffered loss from the tardiness of their coming, yet we find gain from their more abundant charity; seeing that from this delay in point
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Epistle xii. To Conon, Abbot of Lirinus (Lerins).
To Conon, Abbot of Lirinus (Lerins). Gregory to Conon, Abbot of the Monastery of Lirinus [126] . The carefulness of persons in authority is the safeguard of subjects, since one who watches over what is entrusted to him avoids the snares of the enemy. But how skilful thou art in ruling the brethren, and how earnestly watchful in keeping guard over them, we have learnt from the report of our most reverend brother and fellow-bishop Mennas [127] . And as our hearing of the unwary remissness of thy predecessor
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Links
Luke 19:33 NIV
Luke 19:33 NLT
Luke 19:33 ESV
Luke 19:33 NASB
Luke 19:33 KJV

Luke 19:33 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Luke 19:32
Top of Page
Top of Page