Mark 11

Mark 11 describes key events in the final days of Jesus’ ministry, as He enters Jerusalem triumphantly, curses a fig tree, cleanses the temple, and confronts the religious leaders. This chapter reveals Jesus' authority, His expectations of genuine faith, and His condemnation of hypocrisy, setting the stage for the unfolding events leading to His crucifixion.

Mark 11:1-10 (NKJV)
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!”

This passage describes Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, where the King is portrayed as humble, riding on a colt. The spreading of clothes and branches symbolizes honor, respect, and recognition of His kingship. The crowds' shout of “Hosanna” indicates their hope that Jesus would bring deliverance, though many expected a political kingdom rather than a spiritual one.

Mark 11:11 (NKJV)
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.

After entering Jerusalem, Jesus goes directly to the temple, observing all that is happening there. His actions suggest an assessment of the temple’s state, setting the stage for His cleansing of it the following day. By departing to Bethany, He avoids immediate confrontation, but the tension builds for what is to come.

Mark 11:12-14 (NKJV)
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.

The fig tree represents Israel’s spiritual condition—full of outward signs (leaves) but lacking fruit. Though it was not the season for figs, the presence of leaves would suggest fruit. Jesus’ cursing of the tree is a symbolic act of judgment on fruitlessness and hypocrisy, foreshadowing His actions in the temple.

Mark 11:15-17 (NKJV)
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.’”

Jesus' cleansing of the temple confronts the corruption and commercialization of a place meant for worship. By overturning tables, He exposes the exploitation of worshippers, especially the poor. His reference to Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 condemns the religious leaders for turning the sacred temple into a place of profit, distorting its true purpose.

Mark 11:18 (NKJV)
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.

The religious leaders perceive Jesus as a threat to their authority and influence. His boldness in exposing their hypocrisy gains the crowd’s admiration but also solidifies the leaders’ determination to eliminate Him. This marks a turning point in the mounting conflict leading to His crucifixion.

Mark 11:19-21 (NKJV)
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.”

The withering of the fig tree signifies the judgment on spiritual barrenness and serves as a visual lesson for the disciples. Jesus’ act underscores the consequences of rejecting God’s call for true repentance and faith, highlighting the importance of producing spiritual fruit.

Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV)
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.”

Jesus emphasizes the power of faith and prayer, encouraging His disciples to trust God wholeheartedly. By using the example of moving a mountain, He illustrates that nothing is impossible for those who believe and pray with conviction. This teaching calls for a faith that does not waver, especially when obstacles arise.

Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV)
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.”

Forgiveness is integral to prayer and a right relationship with God. Jesus highlights that God’s forgiveness is conditional on our willingness to forgive others. This teaching stresses the need for a forgiving heart, as harboring resentment hinders spiritual growth and obstructs divine mercy.

Mark 11:27-33 (NKJV)
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.”

The religious leaders question Jesus' authority, attempting to trap Him. Jesus, in turn, asks them about John’s baptism, forcing them into a dilemma that reveals their fear of public opinion. Their inability to answer exposes their lack of genuine authority and integrity. Jesus' response illustrates His mastery over His opponents and highlights the divine source of His authority.