The Gospels · Chapter 11 of 16

Mark 11

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt to shouts of Hosanna. The next day he curses a barren fig tree, then cleanses the temple, driving out the merchants and calling it a house of prayer for all nations. The withered fig tree becomes a lesson on faith and forgiveness in prayer. The chief priests challenge his authority, and he answers with a question they will not face.

What happens in Mark 11

Near Jerusalem Jesus sends for a colt never ridden. The crowds spread garments and branches, crying Hosanna and blessing the kingdom of David. He enters the temple, looks around, and returns to Bethany. Next morning, hungry, he finds a fig tree with only leaves and says none shall eat of it again. Entering the temple, he casts out the buyers and sellers, overturns the moneychangers' tables, and teaches that his house should be a house of prayer for all nations, not a den of thieves.

The chief priests seek to destroy him but fear the people. Next morning the disciples find the fig tree withered from the roots. Jesus teaches them to have faith in God, that believing prayer moves mountains, and that they must forgive when they pray so the Father forgives them. In the temple the leaders demand his authority; he answers with a question about John's baptism they will not face, so he declines to tell them.

Mark 11 in context

This begins the final week in Jerusalem. The triumphal entry presents Jesus as the humble king foretold by the prophets. The cursing of the fig tree brackets the temple cleansing, so that the fruitless tree interprets the fruitless temple, both under judgment.

The clash over authority opens a series of confrontations with the leaders that will lead to Jesus' arrest and death within days.

Main themes of Mark 11

Mark 11 (KJV)

1And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2And 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. 3And 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. 4And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; 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 commanded: and they let them go. 7And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. 11And 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. 12And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13And 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. 14And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. 15And 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; 16And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17And 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. 18And 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. 19And when even was come, he went out of the city. 20And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23For 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. 24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. 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 say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? 29And 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. 30The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of 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 if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. 33And 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.

Verses to carry from Mark 11

“And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:”Mark 11:9

“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.”Mark 11:17

“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.”Mark 11:25

Reflection

It is possible to be full of leaves yet bear no fruit, busy with religion while the heart is a marketplace. Let Christ, the Lord of the temple, cleanse the courts of your life. And when you pray, come with believing trust and a forgiving heart, holding no grudge before the Father.

A prayer from Mark 11