Mark 11:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Bystanders challenge the disciples as they untie the colt, asking what they are doing.
What Does Mark 11:5 Mean?
Just as Jesus anticipated, the two disciples are questioned. People standing nearby—Luke tells us the owners themselves were among them (Luke 19:33)—see strangers untying an animal and naturally demand an explanation.
The challenge is the very one Jesus prepared them for, and that preparation matters. He does not send his servants out unequipped; he foresees the obstacle and supplies the answer before it is needed. Disciples in every generation discover the same: the Lord who sends also provides what the moment requires (Mark 13:11). The question gives the two their first small occasion to speak for their Master in public—and his name, they will find, opens the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 11:5
What does Mark 11:5 mean?
Bystanders challenge the disciples as they untie the colt, asking what they are doing.