19:33a

As they were untying the colt: The two disciples had begun to untie the colt. They had not finished untying it when they were interrupted.

19:33b

its owners asked: This phrase introduces the question that the owners asked the two disciples. In some languages it may be necessary to first mention that the owners were there and saw the disciples. For example:

its owners ⌊saw what they were doing and⌋ asked

its owners: The phrase its owners indicates that more than one person owned the donkey. Perhaps a family owned it.

Why are you untying the colt?: Here the owners asked Jesus’ two disciples the question that Jesus had predicted in 19:31a. The question implies that the owners were surprised and displeased to see the two disciples untying their donkey. The owners wanted to know the reason why the disciples were untying the colt. Here is another way to translate this:

Why are you untying our colt? (New Century Version)

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