Mark11
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And when they draw nigh unto Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples,
2and saith unto them, Go your way into the village that is over against you: and straightway as ye enter into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat; loose him, and bring him.
3And if any one say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye, The Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him back hither.
4And they went away, and found a colt tied at the door without in the open street; and they loose him.
5And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
6And they said unto them even as Jesus had said: and they let them go.
7And they bring the colt unto Jesus, and cast on him their garments; and he sat upon him.
8And many spread their garments upon the way; and others branches, which they had cut from the fields.
9And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10Blessed is the kingdom that cometh, the kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest.
11And he entered into Jerusalem, into the temple; and when he had looked round about upon all things, it being now eventide, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
12And on the morrow, when they were come out from Bethany, he hungered.
13And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs.
14And he answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And his disciples heard it.
15And they come to Jerusalem: and he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and them that bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves;
16and he would not suffer that any man should carry a vessel through the temple.
17And he taught, and said unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? but ye have made it a den of robbers.
18And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.
19And every evening he went forth out of the city.
20And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.
21And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it.
24Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26
27And 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;
28and they said unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? or who gave thee this authority to do these things?
29And Jesus said unto them, I will ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? answer me.
31And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
32But should we say, From men—they feared the people: for all verily held John to be a prophet.
33And they answered Jesus and say, We know not. And Jesus saith unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 11.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: 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).
vv1-11
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.
vv12-18
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.
vv19-26
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.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅτε (hóte): at which (thing) too, i.e. when
ἐγγίζω (engízō): to make near, i.e. (reflexively) approach
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἱερουσαλήμ (Hierousalḗm): Hierusalem (i.e. Jerushalem), the capitol of Palestine
Βηθφαγή (Bēthphagḗ): fig-house; Beth-phage, a place in Palestine
Βηθανία (Bēthanía): date-house; Beth-any, a place in Palestine
πρός (prós): a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)
ὄρος (óros): perhaps akin to G142 (αἴρω); compare G3733 (ὄρνις)); a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)
ἐλαία (elaía): an olive (the tree or the fruit)
Cross References
Mark 11Prophetic prediction of the Messiah riding into Jerusalem on a colt, indicating humble kingship.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Directly quoted by Jesus to defend the temple as a house of prayer for all nations.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Directly quoted by Jesus accusing the merchants of turning the temple into a den of robbers.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The messianic Hallel chant sung by the crowds welcoming Jesus into the city.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel account detailing the immediate cursing and subsequent withering of the barren fig tree.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Identical teaching linking our willingness to forgive others with receiving divine forgiveness.
Supported by John Calvin
Detailed Lucan parallel of the triumphal entry and the acquisition of the colt.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
John's account of a temple cleansing, highlighting zeal for God's house.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel confrontation where the chief priests question Jesus' authority in the temple.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates the principle of reserving animals never previously yoked for sacred, divine purposes.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Old Testament precedent of spreading garments in the path to acknowledge a newly crowned king.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Theological parallel of land bearing thorns and rejected fruit being cursed and burned.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel instruction on faith capable of moving mountains and overcoming impossible obstacles.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms Jesus' custom of leaving Jerusalem daily to lodge at the Mount of Olives.
Supported by JFB
Old Testament imagery of God looking for good fruit from Israel but finding none.
Supported by Matthew Henry