King James Version

What Does Mark 11:2 Mean?

Mark 11:2 in the King James Version says “And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find ... — study this verse from Mark chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

Mark 11:2 · KJV


Context

1

And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

2

And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

3

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.

4

And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat (πῶλον δεδεμένον ἐφ' ὃν οὐδεὶς οὔπω ἀνθρώπων ἐκάθισεν)—Jesus demonstrates omniscience in knowing exactly where the colt is and that it has never been ridden. The detail that the animal was never ridden is significant: unblemished animals used for sacred purposes must be previously unused (Numbers 19:2; Deuteronomy 21:3). This young donkey, untrained and unbroken, miraculously submits to Jesus, foreshadowing creation's recognition of its Creator.

The command to loose him, and bring him shows Jesus' sovereign authority—He requisitions what He needs for messianic purposes. This isn't theft but divine prerogative. The Greek pōlon (πῶλον) means a young colt or foal, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9's prophecy that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem "lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Where earthly kings rode warhorses, Israel's true King rides a humble donkey, signaling peace not military conquest.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The village was likely Bethphage, a small settlement on the Mount of Olives' eastern slope, less than a mile from Jerusalem. Jesus had stayed in nearby Bethany with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus during the days leading up to Passover. The deliberate choice of a donkey rather than a horse fulfilled Zechariah 9:9 (written 500 BC), a prophecy every Jew knew pointed to the Messiah. Roman generals entered cities on warhorses in triumphal processions; Jesus' choice of a donkey was a counter-cultural statement about the nature of His kingdom. The requirement that the animal be previously unridden connects to Jewish purity laws for sacred use—the red heifer (Numbers 19:2) and cart carrying the ark (1 Samuel 6:7) had to be unused. This detail, preserved in all four Gospels, authenticates the historical precision of the account.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' foreknowledge of the colt's exact location demonstrate His divine omniscience and sovereign control over His passion?
  2. What does Jesus' choice of an unridden donkey rather than a warhorse reveal about the nature of His kingdom and mission?
  3. In what ways does the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9 challenge human expectations of how God's promised King would arrive?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
καὶ1 of 26

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λέγει2 of 26

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτὸν3 of 26

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ὑπάγετε4 of 26

Go your way

G5217

to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively

εἰς5 of 26

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν6 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κώμην7 of 26

the village

G2968

a hamlet (as if laid down)

τὴν8 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κατέναντι9 of 26

over against

G2713

directly opposite

ὑμῶν10 of 26

you

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καὶ11 of 26

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εὐθὲως12 of 26

as soon as

G2112

directly, i.e., at once or soon

εἰσπορευόμενοι13 of 26

ye be entered

G1531

to enter (literally or figuratively)

εἰς14 of 26

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

αὐτὸν15 of 26

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εὑρήσετε16 of 26

ye shall find

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

πῶλον17 of 26

a colt

G4454

a "foal" or "filly", i.e., (specially), a young ass

δεδεμένον18 of 26

tied

G1210

to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

ἐφ'19 of 26

whereon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ὃν20 of 26
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐδεὶς21 of 26

never

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

ἀνθρώπων22 of 26

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

κεκάθικεν23 of 26

sat

G2523

to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)

λύσαντες24 of 26

loose

G3089

to "loosen" (literally or figuratively)

αὐτὸν25 of 26

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀγάγετε26 of 26

and bring

G71

properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 11:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 11:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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