In biblical contexts, the act of untying often carries significant symbolic and practical implications. The concept of untying is mentioned in various passages throughout the Bible, where it can represent liberation, preparation, or the fulfillment of prophecy.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the act of untying is sometimes associated with the release from bondage or the loosening of burdens. For example, in Isaiah 58:6 , the prophet speaks of God's chosen fast: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to break every yoke?" Here, untying is metaphorically linked to the liberation from oppression and the breaking of yokes, symbolizing freedom from sin and injustice.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, untying is often connected to the fulfillment of prophecy and the preparation for significant events. One of the most notable instances is found in the account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In Mark 11:2-4 , Jesus instructs His disciples: "Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’” The act of untying the colt is a direct fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, symbolizing the coming of the Messiah in humility and peace.

Symbolism and Spiritual Implications

The act of untying in the Bible often symbolizes spiritual release and preparation for divine purposes. It can represent the removal of obstacles that hinder one's relationship with God or the readiness to embrace God's will. In Luke 13:15-16 , Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath, and when criticized, He responds, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it to water? Then should not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, be released from her bondage on the Sabbath day?" Here, untying is associated with compassion and the breaking of spiritual bondage.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, untying can also refer to the preparation for service or the readiness to follow God's commands. The disciples' act of untying the colt demonstrates obedience and trust in Jesus' instructions, serving as a model for believers to be prepared and willing to act according to God's direction.

Overall, the theme of untying in the Bible encompasses liberation, fulfillment of prophecy, and readiness for divine service, reflecting deeper spiritual truths about freedom and obedience in the life of faith.3089. luo -- to loose, to release, to dissolve
... destroyed (3), loose (2), loosed (2), putting an end to (1), release (1), released
(7), removed (1), take off (1), unbind (1), untie (8), untied (1), untying (4 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3089.htm - 9k

1955. epilusis -- a release, an interpretation
... 1955 ("sound ") only occurs in 2 Pet 1:20 and refers to "untying
interpretation knots" to discern the of future Bible prophecy. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1955.htm - 7k

Of the Testimony in Mark. What is Meant by the Saviour's Shoes and ...
... Sixth Book. 18. Of the Testimony in Mark. What is Meant by the Saviour's Shoes and
by Untying His Shoe-Latchets. Now let us consider what is stated by Mark. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/18 of the testimony in.htm

I Lord of Life, on Thee Depending,
... Of the denizen of night. To the hopeless, bound and sighing,. Held in darkness as
a snare,. Comes He forth, their bands untying,. Giving hope for gaunt despair. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/i lord of life on.htm

The Fourth Gospel Speaks of Only one Shoe, the Others of Both. The ...
... Perhaps he was conquered by the grace of God, and received the gift of doing that
which of himself he would not have been worthy to do, of untying, namely, the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/21 the fourth gospel speaks.htm

Jesus is Gladly Welcomed by the People
... As they untied it, some of the men standing there said, "What are you doing, untying
the colt?" The disciples answered as Jesus had told them, and the men let ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus is gladly welcomed by.htm

Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of John
... Of the Testimony of John to Jesus in Matthew's Gospel,. 18. Of the Testimony in
Mark. What is Meant by the Saviour's Shoes and by Untying His Shoe-Latchets. 19. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/

Expatriation
... "Put on these.". Kenkenes undid his cloak and untying his broidered sandals, wrapped
them in his mantle and bound the roll, crosswise, on his back. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlii expatriation.htm

"The Dust of the Actual"
... the Hindu mind. Let no one with a facility for untying mental knots think
that his gift would be wasted in India! The word that ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter vii the dust of.htm

The Prodigal and his Brother.
... sovereignty. It does not cut the knot of the difficulty, instead of untying
it, by saying, God has a right to do what He will. He ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xx the prodigal and his.htm

Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... many acts of sacrilege. It is a Gordian knot, which it is better to cut
than to lose so much labour in untying. 12. When they see ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm

The Story of the Stranger at the Well
... They went to the place and found the ass and the colt, and were loosing them,
when the owner said: "What are you doing, untying the ass?". ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the stranger.htm

Untying (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Untying (5 Occurrences). Mark 11:4 So they went
and ... of a house. They were untying it, (WEY). Mark 11:5 Some ...
/u/untying.htm - 7k

Colt (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Luke 19:31 And if any one asks you, 'Why
are you untying the colt?' simply say, 'The Master needs it.'" (WEY). ...
/c/colt.htm - 12k

Owners (19 Occurrences)
... Luke 19:33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you
untying the colt?" (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/o/owners.htm - 12k

Needs (85 Occurrences)
... have yours? (BBE). Luke 19:31 If anyone asks you,'Why are you untying it?'
say to him:'The Lord needs it.'" (WEB WEY NIV). Luke 19 ...
/n/needs.htm - 30k

Unused (4 Occurrences)

/u/unused.htm - 7k

Unturned (1 Occurrence)

/u/unturned.htm - 6k

Foal (10 Occurrences)
... bring him here. (WEY). Mark 11:5 when some of the bystanders called out,
"What are you doing, untying the foal?" (WEY). Mark 11:7 ...
/f/foal.htm - 11k

Foresail (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Foresail (1 Occurrence). Acts 27:40 Casting off the anchors,
they left them in the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. ...
/f/foresail.htm - 7k

Tied (33 Occurrences)
... ASV RSV). Acts 27:40 Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea,
at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the ...
/t/tied.htm - 16k

Rudder (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rudder (2 Occurrences). Acts 27:40 Casting off the anchors,
they left them in the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. ...
/r/rudder.htm - 8k

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