Matthew 21:3
New International Version
If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

New Living Translation
If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

English Standard Version
If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”

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

Berean Literal Bible
and if anyone says anything to you, you will say that the Lord has need of them, and he will send them immediately."

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

New King James Version
And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

New American Standard Bible
And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them on immediately.”

NASB 1995
“If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

NASB 1977
“And if anyone says something to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

Amplified Bible
If anyone says anything to you, you should say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and without delay the owner will send them [with you].”

Christian Standard Bible
If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them at once.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If anyone says anything to you, you should say that the Lord needs them, and immediately he will send them.”

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

Contemporary English Version
If anyone asks why you are doing this, just say, 'The Lord needs them.' He will at once let you have the donkeys."

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them. That person will send them at once."

Good News Translation
And if anyone says anything, tell him, 'The Master needs them'; and then he will let them go at once."

International Standard Version
If anyone says anything to you, tell him, 'The Lord needs them,' and that person will send them at once."

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

NET Bible
If anyone says anything to you, you are to say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once."

New Heart English Bible
And if anyone says anything to you, you are to say, 'Because the Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once."

Webster's Bible Translation
And if any man shall say aught to you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and immediately he will send them.

Weymouth New Testament
And if any one says anything to you, say, 'The Master needs them,' and he will at once send them."

World English Bible
If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and if anyone may say anything to you, you will say that the LORD has need of them, and immediately He will send them.”

Berean Literal Bible
and if anyone says anything to you, you will say that the Lord has need of them, and he will send them immediately."

Young's Literal Translation
and if any one may say anything to you, ye shall say, that the lord hath need of them, and immediately he will send them.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And if any one say to you, Why? ye shall say, That the Lord has need of them; and quickly will he send them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if any man shall say anything to you, say ye, that the Lord hath need of them: and forthwith he will let them go.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And if anyone will have said anything to you, say that the Lord has need of them. And he will promptly dismiss them.”

New American Bible
And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, ‘The master has need of them.’ Then he will send them at once.”

New Revised Standard Version
If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if any man should say anything to you, tell him that our Lord needs them; and he will immediately send them here.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And if a man says anything to you, say to him, 'They are needed by Our Lord', and immediately he will send them here.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And if any one say any thing to you, you shall reply: The Lord has need of them: and he will immediately send them.

Godbey New Testament
And if any one may say any thing to you, tell him, that the Lord hath need of them; and immediately he will send them away.

Haweis New Testament
And if any man say aught to you, ye shall tell them, That the Lord hath need of them, and immediately he will send them.

Mace New Testament
if any man oppose you, say, the Lord wants them; and then he will send them.

Weymouth New Testament
And if any one says anything to you, say, 'The Master needs them,' and he will at once send them."

Worrell New Testament
And, if any one say anything to you, ye shall say, 'The Lord hath need of them;' and straight-way he will send them."

Worsley New Testament
and if any one say any thing to you, tell him the Lord hath need of them, and he will immediately send them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Triumphal Entry
2saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me. 3 If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:…

Cross References
Mark 11:3
If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’”

Luke 19:31
If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

John 12:14-15
Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written: / “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion. See, your King is coming, seated on the colt of a donkey.”

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Matthew 8:20
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”

Matthew 26:18
He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’”

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

John 2:19
Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.”

John 10:18
No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”

John 13:13
You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am.

John 17:10
All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified.

Acts 4:24-28
When the believers heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them. / You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’ ...

Acts 9:15
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

Romans 14:8
If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:26
for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”


Treasury of Scripture

And if any man say ought to you, you shall say, The Lord has need of them; and straightway he will send them.

The Lord.

1 Chronicles 29:14-16
But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee…

Psalm 24:1
A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 50:10,11
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills…

straightway.

1 Samuel 10:26
And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.

1 Kings 17:9
Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

Ezra 1:1,5
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, …

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Matthew 21
1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey
12. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;
17. curses the fig tree;
23. puts to silence the priests and elders,
28. and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,
33. and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.














If anyone questions you
This phrase anticipates potential resistance or inquiry from bystanders or the owners of the donkey and colt. The Greek word for "questions" is "ἐρεῖ" (erei), which implies a verbal challenge or inquiry. In the historical context, it was common for property owners to question the use of their possessions. This phrase highlights Jesus' foreknowledge and authority, preparing His disciples for the task ahead with confidence in His divine plan.

tell him that the Lord needs them
The term "Lord" here is "Κύριος" (Kyrios) in Greek, which can mean master, owner, or sovereign. In this context, it signifies Jesus' divine authority and His fulfillment of messianic prophecy. The phrase "needs them" underscores the necessity of the donkey and colt for Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. This need is not out of lack but out of divine purpose, illustrating how God orchestrates events to fulfill His redemptive plan.

and he will send them right away
This part of the verse reflects the immediate compliance expected from those who hear the disciples' explanation. The Greek word "ἀποστελεῖ" (apostelei) means to send forth or dispatch. It suggests a prompt and willing response to the Lord's request, indicating the recognition of Jesus' authority even by those who may not fully understand His mission. This immediate obedience serves as a model for believers, emphasizing trust and submission to God's will.

(3) The Lord hath need of them.--Simple as the words are, they admit of three very different interpretations. "The Lord" may be used either (1) in the highest sense as equivalent to Jehovah, as though the ass and the colt were claimed for His service; or (2) as referring to Christ in the special sense in which He was spoken of as "the Lord" by His disciples; or (3) as pointing to Him, but only in the language which all men would acknowledge, and without any special claim beyond that of being the Master whom the disciples owned as in a lower sense their Lord. Of these (3) is all but excluded by the facts of the case. The words involve a claim to more than common authority, and the claim is recognised at once. In favour of (2) we have the numerous instances in which the disciples and the evangelists not only address their Master as "Lord," but speak of Him as "the Lord" (Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:19; Luke 10:1; Luke 17:6; Luke 18:6; John 11:2; John 13:13; John 20:2; John 20:13; John 20:18; John 20:20; John 20:25; John 21:7; John 21:12). For (1), lastly, we have our Lord's use of the word as a synonym for God (Mark 5:19; Mark 13:20). On the whole (2) appears to commend itself as most in accordance with the customary language of the disciples. On the very probable assumption that the owners of the colt were, in some sense, themselves disciples, they would recognise the full import of the words thus addressed to them, and obey without hesitation. . . . Verse 3. - Say aught unto you. This might naturally be expected. Christ foresaw the opposition, and instructed the disciples how to overcome it with a word. The Lord; Κύριος, equivalent to "Jehovah," or the King Messiah. Doubtless the owner of the animals was a disciple, and acknowledged the claims of Jesus. His presence here was a providentially guided coincidence. If he was a stranger; as others suppose, be must have been divinely prompted to acquiesce in the appropriation of his beasts. He will send them. Some manuscripts read, "he sends them," here, as in St. Mark. The present is more forcible, but the future is well attested. The simple announcement that the asses were needed for God's service would silence all refusal. The disciples, indeed, were to act at once, as executing the orders of the supreme Lord, and were to use the given answer only in case of any objection. Throughout the transaction Christ assumes the character of the Divine Messiah, King of his people, the real Owner of all that they possess.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If
ἐάν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

anyone
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

questions
εἴπῃ (eipē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

you,
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

tell [him]
ἐρεῖτε (ereite)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2046: Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

the
(HO)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κύριος (Kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

needs
χρείαν (chreian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.

them,
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

he will send
ἀποστελεῖ (apostelei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 649: From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.

them
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

right away.”
εὐθὺς (euthys)
Adverb
Strong's 2112: Immediately, soon, at once. Adverb from euthus; directly, i.e. At once or soon.


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