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Mark 11

Mark11

New King James Version

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1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples;

2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it.

3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”

4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.

5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”

6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go.

7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.

8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry.

13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.

14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.

15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

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

17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you 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 were astonished at His teaching.

19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.

20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.

23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him.

28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?”

29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:

30 The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”

31 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

32 But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.

33 So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

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Mark 11

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 11. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.

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.

Cross References

Mark 11
v7Zechariah 9:9fulfillment

Prophetic prediction of the Messiah riding into Jerusalem on a colt, indicating humble kingship.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v17Isaiah 56:7quotation

Directly quoted by Jesus to defend the temple as a house of prayer for all nations.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v17Jeremiah 7:11quotation

Directly quoted by Jesus accusing the merchants of turning the temple into a den of robbers.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v9Psalms 118:26quotation

The messianic Hallel chant sung by the crowds welcoming Jesus into the city.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v13Matthew 21:19thematic

Parallel account detailing the immediate cursing and subsequent withering of the barren fig tree.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v25Matthew 6:14thematic

Identical teaching linking our willingness to forgive others with receiving divine forgiveness.

Supported by John Calvin

v1Luke 19:29-40thematic

Detailed Lucan parallel of the triumphal entry and the acquisition of the colt.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v15John 2:13-17thematic

John's account of a temple cleansing, highlighting zeal for God's house.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v27Matthew 21:23-27thematic

Parallel confrontation where the chief priests question Jesus' authority in the temple.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v21 Samuel 6:7allusion

Illustrates the principle of reserving animals never previously yoked for sacred, divine purposes.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v72 Kings 9:13allusion

Old Testament precedent of spreading garments in the path to acknowledge a newly crowned king.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v14Hebrews 6:8thematic

Theological parallel of land bearing thorns and rejected fruit being cursed and burned.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v23Matthew 17:20thematic

Parallel instruction on faith capable of moving mountains and overcoming impossible obstacles.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v11Luke 21:37thematic

Confirms Jesus' custom of leaving Jerusalem daily to lodge at the Mount of Olives.

Supported by JFB

v13Isaiah 5:2thematic

Old Testament imagery of God looking for good fruit from Israel but finding none.

Supported by Matthew Henry