Matthew 21:3

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

And {G2532} if {G1437} any man {G5100} say {G2036} ought {G5100} unto you {G5213}, ye shall say {G2046},{G3754} The Lord {G2962} hath {G2192} need {G5532} of them {G846}; and {G1161} straightway {G2112} he will send {G649} them {G846}.

If anyone says anything to you, tell him, `The Lord needs them'; and he will let them go at once."

If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

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

Matthew 21:3 KJV is a concise yet profound statement delivered by Jesus to His disciples concerning the procurement of a colt and a donkey for His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. This verse highlights Jesus' divine foresight and authority, setting the stage for one of the most significant events in His earthly ministry.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative found in Matthew 21:1-11, which describes Jesus' arrival at Jerusalem just days before His crucifixion. As Jesus and His disciples approached Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, He instructed two disciples to go into the nearby village and find a donkey and a colt tied there. This specific instruction, including what to say if questioned, demonstrates Jesus' meticulous planning and supernatural knowledge of events yet to unfold. The owners' immediate compliance upon hearing "The Lord hath need of them" underscores the powerful, unyielding nature of His command.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Sovereignty: Jesus' foreknowledge of where the animals would be and the exact response of their owners unequivocally demonstrates His divine authority. He is not merely asking but commanding, revealing His rightful claim over all creation. This theme resonates with Jesus' declaration of all authority in heaven and on earth.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Though not explicitly quoted in this verse, the entire act of riding a donkey fulfills the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9, which foretold the humble arrival of Zion's King. Jesus orchestrates events to perfectly align with ancient scriptures, affirming His identity as the promised Messiah.
  • Obedience and Trust: The disciples' immediate obedience to Jesus' seemingly unusual request, and the owners' prompt compliance, highlight the importance of trusting and submitting to the Lord's will. Their actions reflect a profound faith in Jesus' words.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The Lord hath need of them" is crucial. The Greek word for "Lord" here is Kurios (Κύριος), which can mean master, sir, or owner, but in this context, especially when spoken by Jesus, it carries the weight of divine authority and sovereignty. It implies that Jesus, as the true Lord, has an inherent right and claim over all things. The word "straightway" (Greek: euthyos) emphasizes the immediate and unquestioning nature of the owner's response, further highlighting Jesus' commanding presence.

Practical Application

Matthew 21:3 offers several practical lessons for believers today:

  • God's Provision: Just as Jesus knew exactly where to find what He needed, we can trust that God knows our needs and will provide for them according to His perfect timing and will.
  • Responding to Christ's Call: The immediate release of the animals by their owner, and the disciples' swift obedience, serve as a model for our response to Christ's call. When the Lord has need of something, whether it be our time, talents, or resources, a prompt and willing spirit is essential.
  • Divine Purpose in the Mundane: An ordinary donkey and colt became instruments in a pivotal prophetic event. This reminds us that God can use even the most common or seemingly insignificant things, including us, for His extraordinary purposes.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:1

    ¶ Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

  • 2 Corinthians 8:2

    How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

  • Acts 17:25

    Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

  • John 3:35

    The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:9

    For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

  • Psalms 50:10

    For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the cattle upon a thousand hills.

  • Psalms 50:11

    I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field [are] mine.

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