And some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”
Parallel translations
- WEB Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing, untying the young donkey?”
- KJV And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
- BSB and some who were standing there asked, “Why are you untying the colt?”
- ESV And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”
- NKJV But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”
- NLT As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?”
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Bystanders question why the disciples are untying the young donkey.
Overview
The challenge from those standing nearby shows the scene playing out just as Jesus foretold in verse 3. Their question gives the disciples the opportunity to give the appointed answer. The detail confirms the accuracy of Jesus' instructions and the reliability of His word.
Cross-references & the web
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Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 11:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.