1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring [him].
3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.
7 And 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 branches off the trees, and strawed [them] in the way.
9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed [be] the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not [yet].
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard [it].
15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry [any] vessel through the temple.
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
18 And the scribes and chief priests heard [it], and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30 The baptism of John, was [it] from heaven, or of men? answer me.
31 And they reasoned with 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; they feared the people: for all [men] counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Overview of Mark Chapter 11
Mark Chapter 11 is a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of Mark, detailing significant events in the final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry. This chapter includes the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the cursing of the fig tree, the cleansing of the temple, and teachings about faith and prayer. Each event carries deep theological implications and showcases Jesus’ authority and mission.
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11)
The chapter opens with Jesus sending two disciples to fetch a colt, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. This event is significant for several reasons:
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus’ entry on a colt symbolizes peace and humility, contrasting with a warrior king riding a horse.
- Public Acclamation: The crowds spread cloaks and branches, shouting “Hosanna!” which reflects their recognition of Jesus as the Messiah.
- Messianic Identity: This moment marks the public acknowledgment of Jesus’ kingship, setting the stage for the conflict that will follow with religious authorities.
Cursing of the Fig Tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-21)
After entering Jerusalem, Jesus curses a barren fig tree, which serves as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness:
- Symbolism of the Fig Tree: The fig tree, often representing Israel, illustrates the consequences of unfruitfulness in faith.
- Judgment: The cursing signifies impending judgment on those who fail to produce spiritual fruit, particularly the religious leaders of Israel.
- Faith and Prayer: The subsequent teaching on faith emphasizes the power of belief and the importance of prayer in the life of a believer.
Cleansing of the Temple (Mark 11:15-19)
Jesus enters the temple and drives out those who were buying and selling, accusing them of turning a house of prayer into a den of robbers:
- Zeal for God’s House: Jesus’ actions demonstrate his passionate commitment to the sanctity of worship and the proper use of the temple.
- Critique of Corruption: The temple practices had become corrupt, exploiting worshippers, which Jesus vehemently opposes.
- Prophetic Action: This act serves as a prophetic statement against the religious establishment, foreshadowing its destruction and the need for true worship.
Teachings on Faith and Prayer (Mark 11:22-26)
Following the cursing of the fig tree, Jesus teaches about the power of faith and the necessity of forgiveness:
- Faith’s Power: Jesus emphasizes that faith can move mountains, illustrating the extraordinary potential of belief when aligned with God’s will.
- Forgiveness: The instruction to forgive others is crucial, highlighting that one’s relationship with God is contingent upon one’s willingness to forgive.
- Prayer’s Role: The passage underscores the importance of prayer in the believer’s life, encouraging a deep, personal connection with God.
Challenge to Jesus’ Authority (Mark 11:27-33)
The chapter concludes with a confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders regarding his authority:
- Questioning Authority: The chief priests, scribes, and elders challenge Jesus, seeking to undermine his legitimacy.
- Jesus’ Response: Instead of directly answering, Jesus poses a question about John the Baptist, which traps the leaders in their own dilemma.
- Implications of Authority: This exchange highlights the tension between Jesus and the religious authorities, setting the stage for the events leading to his crucifixion.
Theological Themes
Mark Chapter 11 presents several key theological themes:
- Messianic Identity: The triumphal entry affirms Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.
- Judgment and Accountability: The cursing of the fig tree and cleansing of the temple signify God’s judgment on unfaithfulness.
- Faith and Prayer: Jesus teaches that genuine faith and a heart of forgiveness are essential for a relationship with God.
- Authority of Jesus: The challenge to Jesus’ authority reveals the conflict between divine authority and human institutions.
Conclusion
Mark Chapter 11 is a rich tapestry of events that encapsulate Jesus’ mission and the response of those around him. Through the triumphal entry, the cursing of the fig tree, the cleansing of the temple, and the confrontation with religious leaders, the chapter invites readers to reflect on the nature of faith, the importance of spiritual fruitfulness, and the authority of Christ.
