Mark 11:6
And they said vnto them euen as Iesus had commanded: and they let them goe. Mark 11:6 (KJV)
Mark 11:6 belongs to the narrative of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1‑11). In that passage Jesus sends two of His disciples to a nearby village, directing them to find a colt tied there. He tells them that if anyone questions them they are to say, “The Lord hath need of him,” and the colt will be sent back.
The disciples obey the command. They go their way, find the colt tied “by the door without, in a place where two ways met,” and they loosen it. The verse is recorded as, “And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go,” and another rendering in the same chapter reads, “And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.”
Practically, the colt is needed to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, which foretells the Messiah’s entry into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt. By securing the colt, Jesus ensures that the prophetic picture is realized exactly as spoken.
Symbolically, the act of untying the colt represents the disciples’ obedience to Jesus’ command. Their willingness to act without question demonstrates faith and trust in Him as Lord, highlighting the importance of obedience in the life of a disciple. Their participation also signifies their role in God’s redemptive plan, as the colt becomes the vehicle for the Messiah’s public declaration.
In the broader context, the triumphal entry narrative (Mark 11:1‑11) illustrates Jesus’ identity as Messiah and King. Riding into Jerusalem on the colt, He publicly declares Himself the long‑awaited Savior, fulfilling prophecy and signaling the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The crowds spread palm branches, shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9, KJV).
In summary, Mark 11:6 portrays the disciples’ faithful obedience and their active participation in fulfilling the Messianic prophecies. Their simple act of untying the colt plays a significant role in the unfolding events of Jesus’ triumphal entry, proclaiming Him as the promised King and Savior.
