Mark 11

The King comes riding on a colt

The Lord — Jesus's title for Himself here, a title of deity and kingship

And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, Mark 11:1–7

Jesus knows exactly where the colt is and calls Himself 'the Lord' who needs it. Riding it into Jerusalem, He fulfills Zechariah's prophecy of Israel's king coming humbly on a colt.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Zechariah 9:9 — 'Thy King cometh unto thee ... riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.'
• a parallel account in Matthew 21:1-7 — Matthew's account, quoting Zechariah.
• a parallel account in Luke 19:29-35 — Luke's account of bringing the colt.
• a parallel account in John 12:14-15 — John's account, quoting 'thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.'
• alludes to Genesis 49:11 — In the Shiloh prophecy, Judah's ruler binds 'his ass's colt unto the choice vine.'

He that cometh in the name of the Lord

Hosanna — 'save now, we pray'; He that cometh — the expected Messiah

And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. Mark 11:8–10

The crowds spread garments and branches and shout 'Hosanna', words from Psalm 118 asking the LORD to save. They welcome Jesus as the promised One who brings back David's kingdom — the Savior coming in the name of Jehovah, which is His own name.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Psalm 118:25-26 — 'Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD ... Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD.'
• a parallel account in Matthew 21:8-9 — Matthew's account: 'Hosanna to the Son of David.'
• a parallel account in John 12:12-13 — John's account with palm branches and 'the King of Israel.'
• fulfils 2 Samuel 7:16 — David's throne and kingdom established for ever.

The Lord comes to His temple

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. Mark 11:11

Jesus's first act in Jerusalem is to enter the temple and inspect everything, like an owner checking his house. Malachi foretold that the Lord would suddenly come to His temple.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Malachi 3:1 — 'The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant.'

The Lord who seeks fruit

And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: Mark 11:12–14

Jesus comes looking for fruit on a tree full of leaves and finds none, then curses it. It is an acted-out warning: the Lord looks for real fruit in His people, not just an outward show, as He was finding at the temple.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 21:18-20 — Matthew's account of the cursed fig tree.
• the same event in Mark 11:20-21 — The tree is found withered the next morning.

Jehovah cleanses His house

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; Mark 11:15–18

Jesus drives out the merchants and quotes the LORD's words 'My house' from Isaiah. As Jehovah, the God of the temple, He has the right to call it His own house and to cleanse it.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Isaiah 56:7 — 'Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.'
• quotes Jeremiah 7:11 — 'Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers?'
• fulfils Malachi 3:1 — The Lord suddenly comes to His temple.
• a parallel account in Matthew 21:12-13 — Matthew's account of the cleansing of the temple.
• a parallel account in Luke 19:45-46 — Luke's account of the cleansing.

Jesus teaches faith, prayer, and forgiveness

Master — Teacher

And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. Mark 11:20–26

When Peter points out the withered tree, Jesus uses it to teach powerful faith in prayer and the need to forgive others so the Father can forgive us.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 21:20-22 — Matthew's account of the lesson from the withered fig tree.

His authority from heaven

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, Mark 11:27–33

The leaders demand to know who gave Jesus authority. He answers with a question about John's baptism, because John testified that Jesus came from heaven; the answer to one question is the answer to the other.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 21:23-27 — Matthew's account of the question of authority.
• a parallel account in Luke 20:1-8 — Luke's account of the same challenge.
• the same title in John 1:34 — John the Baptist: 'I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.'