Mark 11

1 As they were approaching Yerushalayim, near Beit-Pagei and Beit-Anyah, by the Mount of Olives, Yeshua sent two of his talmidim

2 with these instructions: "Go into the village ahead of you; and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there that has never been ridden. Untie it, and bring it here.

3 If anyone asks you, `Why are you doing this?' tell him, `The Lord needs it,' and he will send it here right away."

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

5 The bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying that colt?"

6 They gave the answer Yeshua had told them to give, and they let them continue.

7 They brought the colt to Yeshua and threw their robes on it, and he sat on it.

8 Many people carpeted the road with their clothing, while others spread out green branches which they had cut in the fields.

9 Those who were ahead and those behind shouted, "Please! Deliver us!"m "Blessed is he who comes in the name of ADONAI!"

10 "Blessed is the coming Kingdom of our father David!" and, "You in the highest heaven! Please! Deliver us!"

11 Yeshua entered Yerushalayim, went into the Temple courts and took a good look at everything; but since it was now late, he went out with the Twelve to Beit-Anyah.

12 The next day, as they came back from Beit-Anyah, he felt hungry.

13 Spotting in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came up to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it wasn't fig season.

14 He said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" And his talmidim heard what he said.

15 On reaching Yerushalayim, he entered the Temple courts and began driving out those who were carrying on business there, both the merchants and their customers. He also knocked over the desks of the money-changers, upset the benches of the pigeon-dealers,

16 and refused to let anyone carry merchandise through the Temple courts.

17 Then, as he taught them, he said, "Isn't it written in the Tanakh, My house will be called a house of prayer for all the Goyimp But you have made it into a den of robbers!"

18 The head cohanim and the Torah-teachers heard what he said and tried to find a way to do away with him; they were afraid of him, because the crowds were utterly taken by his teaching.

19 When evening came, they left the city.

20 In the morning, as the talmidim passed by, they saw the fig tree withered all the way to its roots.

21 Kefa remembered and said to Yeshua, "Rabbi! Look! The fig tree that you cursed has dried up!"

22 He responded, "Have the kind of trust that comes from God!

23 Yes! I tell you that whoever does not doubt in his heart but trusts that what he says will happen can say to this mountain, `Go and throw yourself into the sea!' and it will be done for him.

24 Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, trust that you are receiving it, and it will be yours.

25 And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive your offenses."

26 Some manuscripts include verse 26: But if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your offenses."

27 They went back into Yerushalayim; and as he was walking in the Temple courts, there came to him the head cohanim, the Torah-teachers and the elders;

28 and they said to him, "What s'mikhah do you have that authorizes you to do these things? Who gave you this s'mikhah authorizing you to do them?"

29 Yeshua said to them, "I will ask you just one question: answer me, and I will tell you by what s'mikhah I do these things.

30 The immersion of Yochanan -- was it from Heaven or from a human source? Answer me."

31 They discussed it among themselves: "If we say, `From Heaven,' he will say, `Then why didn't you believe him?'

32 But if we say, `From a human source, . . . '" -- they were afraid of the people, for they all regarded Yochanan as a genuine prophet.

33 So they answered Yeshua, "We don't know." "Then," he replied, "I won't tell you by what s'mikhah I do 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.