Mark 11

1 et cum adpropinquarent Hierosolymae et Bethaniae ad montem Olivarum mittit duos ex discipulis suis

2 et ait illis ite in castellum quod est contra vos et statim introeuntes illuc invenietis pullum ligatum super quem nemo adhuc hominum sedit solvite illum et adducite

3 et si quis vobis dixerit quid facitis dicite quia Domino necessarius est et continuo illum dimittet huc

4 et abeuntes invenerunt pullum ligatum ante ianuam foris in bivio et solvunt eum

5 et quidam de illic stantibus dicebant illis quid facitis solventes pullum

6 qui dixerunt eis sicut praeceperat illis Iesus et dimiserunt eis

7 et duxerunt pullum ad Iesum et inponunt illi vestimenta sua et sedit super eo

8 multi autem vestimenta sua straverunt in via alii autem frondes caedebant de arboribus et sternebant in via

9 et qui praeibant et qui sequebantur clamabant dicentes osanna benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini

10 benedictum quod venit regnum patris nostri David osanna in excelsis

11 et introivit Hierosolyma in templum et circumspectis omnibus cum iam vespera esset hora exivit in Bethania cum duodecim

12 et alia die cum exirent a Bethania esuriit

13 cumque vidisset a longe ficum habentem folia venit si quid forte inveniret in ea et cum venisset ad eam nihil invenit praeter folia non enim erat tempus ficorum

14 et respondens dixit ei iam non amplius in aeternum quisquam fructum ex te manducet et audiebant discipuli eius

15 et veniunt Hierosolymam et cum introisset templum coepit eicere vendentes et ementes in templo et mensas nummulariorum et cathedras vendentium columbas evertit

16 et non sinebat ut quisquam vas transferret per templum

17 et docebat dicens eis non scriptum est quia domus mea domus orationis vocabitur omnibus gentibus vos autem fecistis eam speluncam latronum

18 quo audito principes sacerdotum et scribae quaerebant quomodo eum perderent timebant enim eum quoniam universa turba admirabatur super doctrina eius

19 et cum vespera facta esset egrediebatur de civitate

20 et cum mane transirent viderunt ficum aridam factam a radicibus

21 et recordatus Petrus dicit ei rabbi ecce ficus cui maledixisti aruit

22 et respondens Iesus ait illis habete fidem Dei

23 amen dico vobis quicumque dixerit huic monti tollere et mittere in mare et non haesitaverit in corde suo sed crediderit quia quodcumque dixerit fiat fiet ei

24 propterea dico vobis omnia quaecumque orantes petitis credite quia accipietis et veniet vobis

25 et cum stabitis ad orandum dimittite si quid habetis adversus aliquem ut et Pater vester qui in caelis est dimittat vobis peccata vestra

26 quod si vos non dimiseritis nec Pater vester qui in caelis est dimittet vobis peccata vestra

27 et veniunt rursus Hierosolymam et cum ambularet in templo accedunt ad eum summi sacerdotes et scribae et seniores

28 et dicunt illi in qua potestate haec facis et quis tibi dedit hanc potestatem ut ista facias

29 Iesus autem respondens ait illis interrogabo vos et ego unum verbum et respondete mihi et dicam vobis in qua potestate haec faciam

30 baptismum Iohannis de caelo erat an ex hominibus respondete mihi

31 at illi cogitabant secum dicentes si dixerimus de caelo dicet quare ergo non credidistis ei

32 sed dicemus ex hominibus timebant populum omnes enim habebant Iohannem quia vere propheta esset

33 et respondentes dicunt Iesu nescimus respondens Iesus ait illis neque ego dico vobis in qua potestate haec faciam

Mark 11 Commentary

Chapter 11

Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. (1-11) The barren fig-tree cursed, The temple cleansed. (12-18) Prayer in faith. (19-26) The priests and elders questioned concerning John the Baptist. (27-33)

Verses 1-11 Christ's coming into Jerusalem thus remarkably, shows that he was not afraid of the power and malice of his enemies. This would encourage his disciples who were full of fear. Also, that he was not disquieted at the thoughts of his approaching sufferings. But all marked his humiliation; and these matters teach us not to mind high things, but to condescend to those of low estate. How ill it becomes Christians to take state, when Christ was so far from claiming it! They welcomed his person; Blessed is he that cometh, the "He that should come," so often promised, so long expected; he comes in the name of the Lord. Let him have our best affections; he is a blessed Saviour, and brings blessings to us, and blessed be He that sent him. Praises be to our God, who is in the highest heavens, over all, God blessed for ever.

Verses 12-18 Christ looked to find some fruit, for the time of gathering figs, though it was near, was not yet come; but he found none. He made this fig-tree an example, not to the trees, but to the men of that generation. It was a figure of the doom upon the Jewish church, to which he came seeking fruit, but found none. Christ went to the temple, and began to reform the abuses in its courts, to show that when the Redeemer came to Zion, it was to turn away ungodliness from Jacob. The scribes and the chief priests sought, not how they might make their peace with him, but how they might destroy him. A desperate attempt, which they could not but fear was fighting against God.

Verses 19-26 The disciples could not think why that fig-tree should so soon wither away; but all wither who reject Christ; it represented the state of the Jewish church. We should rest in no religion that does not make us fruitful in good works. Christ taught them from hence to pray in faith. It may be applied to that mighty faith with which all true Christians are endued, and which does wonders in spiritual things. It justifies us, and so removes mountains of guilt, never to rise up in judgment against us. It purifies the heart, and so removes mountains of corruption, and makes them plain before the grace of God. One great errand to the throne of grace is to pray for the pardon of our sins; and care about this ought to be our daily concern.

Verses 27-33 Our Saviour shows how near akin his doctrine and baptism were to those of John; they had the same design and tendency, to bring in the gospel kingdom. These elders did not deserve to be taught; for it was plain that they contended not for truth, but victory: nor did he need to tell them; for the works he did, told them plainly he had authority from God; since no man could do the miracles which he did, unless God were with him.