Mark 11:6
in Mark 11The disciples answered as Jesus had instructed them, and the people gave them permission.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And they said unto them even as Jesus had said: and they let them go.
KJV
And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.
⋯
This verse in Mark 11
Commentary
10 notes on this verse(Cat. in Marc. Oxon.) Not indeed that He was compelled by necessity to ride on a colt from the mount of Olives to Jerusalem, for He had gone over Judæa and all Galilee on foot, but this action of His is typical. It goes on: And many spread their garments in the way: that is, under the feet of the colt; and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. This, however, was rather done to honour Him, and as a Sacrament, than of necessity.
This site's exposition
found the colt outside in the street
on Mark 11:4-6
They found the colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway, as Jesus had said. The bystanders ask the question He foretold, and the people gave them permission.
This site's exposition
the people gave them permission
The disciples gave the very answer Jesus supplied, that the Lord needed the colt, and it was enough. Gill notes that the bystanders pressed no further. Clarke adds that they let the colt go trusting it would be returned soon, as verse 3 promised.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
(de Con. Ev. ii. 66) Matthew says, an ass and a colt, the rest however do not mention the ass. Where then both may be the case, there is no disagreement, though one Evangelist mentions one thing, and a second mentions another; how much less should a question be raised, when one mentions one, and another mentions that same one and another. It goes on: And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded, and they let them take it, that is, the colt.
The Medieval Church2 voices
But they would not have allowed this, if the Divine power had not been upon them, to compel them, especially, as they were country people and farmers, and yet allowed them to take away the colt. Or else, those who prevent them are the devils, who were weaker than the Apostles.
Jesus often came to Jerusalem at other times as well, but never with such glory as now. Before, on account of the envy of the Jews, He concealed Himself, but now, since the time of suffering determined by Him Himself had come, He goes openly, …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
And they said unto them,.... The very express words, even as Jesus had commanded: not that these were the words they said, but "the Lord hath need of him": upon which they said no more, were satisfied and contented, that they should untie the colt, and take it with them: and they let them go; and the colt with them, very freely; See Gill on Mat 21:6.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1857)
The event described in these verses, is a singular exception in the history of our Lord's earthly ministry. Generally speaking, we see Jesus withdrawing Himself from public notice — often passing His time in the remote parts of Galilee — not infrequently abiding in the wilderness — and so fulfilling the prophecy, that He should "not cry, nor strive, nor let His voice be heard in the streets." Here, and here only, our Lord appears to drop His private character, and of His own choice to call public attention to Himself.
2 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1857)
proposed
The event described in these verses, is a singular exception in the history of our Lord's earthly ministry. Generally speaking, we see Jesus withdrawing Himself from public notice — often passing His time in the remote parts of Galilee — not infrequently abiding in the wilderness — and so fulfilling the prophecy, that He should "not cry, nor strive, nor let His voice be heard in the streets." Here, and here only, our Lord appears to drop His private character, and of His own choice to call public attention to Himself. He deliberately makes a public entry into Jerusalem, at the head of His disciples. He voluntarily rides into the holy city, surrounded by a vast multitude, crying, Hosanna, like king David returning to his palace in triumph. (2 Sam. 19:40.) All this too was done at a time when myriads of Jews were gathered out of every land to Jerusalem, to keep the Passover. We may well believe that the holy city rang with the tidings of our Lord's arrival. It is probable there was not a house in Jerusalem in which the entry of the prophet of Nazareth was not known and talked of that night. These things should always be remembered in reading this portion of our Lord's history. It is not for nothing that this entry into Jerusalem is four times related in the New Testament. It is evident that it is a scene in the earthly life of Jesus, which Christians are intended to study with special attention. Let us study it in that spirit, and see what practical lessons we may learn from the passage for our own souls. Let us observe, in the first place, how public our Lord purposely made the last act of His life. He came to Jerusalem to die, and He desired that all Jerusalem should know it. When He taught the deep things of the Spirit, He often spoke to none but His apostles. When He delivered His parables, He often addressed none but a multitude of poor and ignorant Galileans.
And they let them go - Having a full assurance that the beast should be safely and speedily restored.
The words behind it
11 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| οἱ | hoi | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| δὲ | de | And | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| εἶπαν | eipan | they spoke | G2036 → | 925 times |
| αὐτοῖς | autois | to them | G846 → | 5565 times |
| καθὼς | kathos | even as | G2531 → | 182 times |
| εἶπεν | eipen | had commanded | G2036 → | 925 times |
| ὁ | ho | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| Ἰησοῦς, | iesous | Jesus, | G2424 → | 908 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἀφῆκαν | aphekan | they allowed | G863 → | 143 times |
| αὐτούς. | autous | them. | G846 → | 5565 times |
οἱ<the>
hoiG3588 →19766 times
δὲAnd
deG1161 →2765 times
εἶπανthey spoke
eipanG2036 →925 times
αὐτοῖςto them
autoisG846 →5565 times
καθὼςeven as
kathosG2531 →182 times
εἶπενhad commanded
eipenG2036 →925 times
ὁ<the>
hoG3588 →19766 times
Ἰησοῦς,Jesus,
iesousG2424 →908 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἀφῆκανthey allowed
aphekanG863 →143 times
αὐτούς.them.
autousG846 →5565 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
Where this verse is studied
About Mark

This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Gospels; Augustine of Hippo, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Pseudo-Chrysostom, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Theophylact of Ohrid, Catena Aurea by Aquinas and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Mark.
