Mark 11

1 And when they came near to Jerusalem unto Bethphage and Bethany at the mount of Olives, he sends forth two of his disciples

2 and said unto them, Go to the place which is before you; and as soon as ye are entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, upon which no man ever sat; loose him and bring him.

3 And if anyone says unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord has need of him, and straightway he will send him here.

4 And they went and found the colt tied by the door outside between two ways, and they loosed him.

5 And some of those that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

6 Then they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded, and they let them go.

7 They brought the colt to Jesus and cast their garments on him, and he sat upon him.

8 And many spread their garments in the way, and others cut down leaves off the trees and spread them in the way.

9 And those that went before and those that followed cried out, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord;

10 blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

11 And the Lord entered into Jerusalem and into the temple; and when he had looked around upon all things, and it being now late, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

12 And the next day when they left Bethany, he was hungry,

13 and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing upon her; but when he came to her, he found nothing but leaves, for the time of figs was not yet.

14 Then Jesus, answering, said to the fig tree, Never again shall anyone eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

15 And they come to Jerusalem, and Jesus, entering into the temple, began to cast out those that sold and bought in the temple and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those that sold doves

16 and would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

17 And he taught them, saying, Is it not written that my house shall be called house of prayer by all the nations? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

18 And the scribes and the princes of the priests heard it and sought how they might kill him, for they feared him because all the multitude was astonished at his doctrine.

19 But when evening was come, Jesus went out of the city.

20 And passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

21 Then Peter, remembering, said unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou didst curse is withered away.

22 And Jesus, answering, said unto them, Have faith in God.

23 For verily I say unto you that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Remove thyself and cast thyself into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that what he says shall be done whatsoever he says shall be done unto him.

24 Therefore I say unto you that everything that ye ask for, praying, believe that ye receive it, and it shall come upon you.

25 And when ye are praying, forgive if ye have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in the heavens will also forgive you your trespasses.

26 For if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in the heavens forgive your trespasses.

27 And they returned to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, the princes of the priests and the scribes and the elders came

28 and said unto him, By what faculty doest thou these things? and who gave thee this faculty to do these things?

29 Then Jesus, answering, said unto them, I will also ask of you one word, and respond unto me, and I will tell you with what faculty I do these things.

30 The baptism of John, was it of heaven or of men? Respond unto me.

31 Then they thought inside themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven, he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

32 But if we shall say, Of men, we fear the people, for everyone judged regarding John that he truly was a prophet.

33 And answering, they said unto Jesus, We do not know. And Jesus, answering, said unto them, Neither shall I tell you with what faculty 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.