Mark 11

The Triumphal Entry

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two of His disciples ¹

2 and said to them, “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.

3 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’”

4 So they went and found the colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. They untied it,

5 and some who were standing there asked, “Why are you untying the colt?”

6 The disciples answered as Jesus had instructed them, and the people gave them permission.

7 Then they led the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, and He sat on it.

8 Many in the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields.

9 The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” ^[a] “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” ^[b]

10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” ^[c]

11 Then Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. ^[d] He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12 The next day, when they had left Bethany, Jesus was hungry. ²

13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if there was any fruit on it. But when He reached it, He found nothing on it except leaves, since it was not the season for figs.

14 Then He said to the tree, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again.” And His disciples heard this statement.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

15 When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. ³

16 And He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.

17 Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’ ^[e]? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ ^[f]”

18 When the chief priests and scribes heard this, they looked for a way to kill Him. For they were afraid of Him, because the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.

19 And when evening came, Jesus and His disciples went ^[g] out of the city.

The Withered Fig Tree

20 As they were walking back in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from its roots. ⁴

21 Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.”

22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus said to them.

23 “Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him.

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

25 And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well. ^[h]”

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

27 After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him. ⁵

28 “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?”

29 “I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!”

31 They deliberated among themselves what they should answer: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

32 But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.

33 So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

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.

Cross References

• 1. (Zechariah 9:9–13; Matthew 21:1–11; Luke 19:28–40; John 12:12–19)
• 2. (Matthew 21:18–22; Mark 11:20–25)
• 3. (Matthew 21:12–17; Luke 19:45–48; John 2:12–25)
• 4. (Matthew 21:18–22; Mark 11:12–14)
• 5. (Matthew 21:23–27; Luke 20:1–8)

Footnotes

• [a]. Hosanna is a transliteration of the Hebrew Hosia-na, meaning Save, we pray or Save now, which became a shout of praise; see Psalms 118:25.
• [b]. Psalms 118:26
• [c]. Or “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” See Psalms 118:25 and Psalms 148:1.
• [d]. Literally the temple; also in verses 15, 16, and 27
• [e]. Isaiah 56:7
• [f]. Jeremiah 7:11
• [g]. Literally they went; BYZ and TR He went
• [h]. BYZ and TR include 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses; see Matthew 6:15.