BibleWord.ai› Bible› Luke› Chapter 19› Verse 31

Luke 19:31

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 19:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And if any one ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say, The Lord hath need of him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And if any one ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say, The Lord hath need of him.
Luke 19:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28And when he had thus spoken, he went on before, going up to Jerusalem.
29And it came to pass, when he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples,
30saying, Go your way into the village over against [you]; in which as ye enter ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat: loose him, and bring him.
31And if any one ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say, The Lord hath need of him.
32And they that were sent went away, and found even as he had said unto them.
33And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
← Luke 19:30Luke 19:32 →
← Full Chapter 19 Luke Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And if any man ask you, why do ye loose [him]? etc.] As our Lord, being God omniscient, knew this question would be asked by the owners, and therefore prepares his disciples with an answer to it: thus shall ye say unto him, because the Lord hath need of him. The Syriac and Persic versions read “our Lord”, yours, and ours; probably the owners of the colt might be such as knew the Lord Jesus Christ, and by this way of speaking of him, knew, at once, who was meant, and so made no scruple of sending him, as Christ told them they would not, and so they found it; (see Gill on “Matthew 21: 3”) and (see Gill on “<410903>Mark 9:3”)”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the Lord hath need, &c.--He both knew all and had the key of the human heart. (See on Luk 19:5.) Perhaps the owner was a disciple.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 21:1-16. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“19:31 The Lord needs it: Subjects of a king were expected to make resources available for his use (see 1 Sam 8:16). The donkey’s colt had never been ridden, so it was pure and suitable for a king.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Lord: Psa 24:1, Psa 50:10-12; Mat 21:2, Mat 21:3; Mar 11:3-6; Act 10:36 Luke 19:34”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Luke 19 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification