What Does Luke 19:31 Mean in the King James?

And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.

Luke 19:31 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The colt’s release is the very thing that meets the Lord’s need.

THE MEANING

What is tied is not thereby meant to remain held. The Lord’s need gives the release its direction: the colt is loosed because he is needed.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The belief that what is bound must remain bound; here, release is exactly how the Lord’s need is met.

THE ROOT

λύετε

lyete

GROWS FROM

λύω

lyō

to loosen, untie, or release

“loose” in this verse is lyete. The Greek verb ⁨λύετε⁩ (lyete) comes from ⁨λύω⁩ (lyō), the same seed behind words for loosing and release. The sentence links release to the Lord’s need: the colt becomes available as its tether gives way.

ALSO GROWS

lýsis: a loosening, release, or dissolution

λύσις

This noun names the same movement from bound to unbound that the command expresses.

apolýō: to release, dismiss, or send away

ἀπολύω

The same root extends from untying a tether to letting someone go.

THE PATTERN

Release breaks binding and opens the way for what is needed to move.

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Isaiah 58:6 · KJVRelease is pictured as breaking bonds so the oppressed can go free.

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

John 11:44 · KJVThe bindings are loosened so the one who comes forth can move freely.

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Acts 2:24 · KJVThe pains of death are loosed as God raises Jesus, and death cannot hold him.

THE THREAD

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

John 11:44 · KJV

In Luke, the colt’s tether gives way; in John, Lazarus’s graveclothes are loosened. Both use ⁨λύω⁩ (lyō), making release the shared hinge between being bound and coming into motion.

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