Mark 11

MARK 11 - Jesus enters Jerusalem, fig tree

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** Jesus is Lord, aware of all events at all times – He knows everything that is happening and has happened and will happen

Mark 11:2,4 NIV

[2] saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. [4] They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it,

Mark 14:12-16 NIV

[12] On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” [13] So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. [14] Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ [15] He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” [16] The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

** Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey forced both Jewish and Roman authorities to react <L120>

• Arriving on a donkey was understood by both the Jews and the Romans to encourage the crowds to openly welcome Him

• To the Romans, Jesus was clearly declaring that He was a hero, a king

• To the Jews, Jesus was plainly saying that He was the Messiah and fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy

Luke 19:35-36 NIV

[35] They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. [36] As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

Mark 11:7-9 NIV

[7] When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. [8] Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. [9] Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Zechariah 9:9 NIV

[9] Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

** Jesus entered Jerusalem as a revered king having crowds praising Him with shouts of "Hosanna" (a solemn phrase asking God to save them) and spreading their cloaks before Him (which was customary for a new king)

Mark 11:7-10 NIV

** Even though the crowds hailed Jesus as king as He entered Jerusalem on Monday, the hatred toward Jesus was escalated on Tuesday when He judged their pagan operations in the temple; Christ was crucified a few days later <M130>

Mark 11:7-10 NIV

Mark 11:15-16,18 NIV

[15] On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, [16] and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. [18] The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

** After entering Jerusalem, Jesus traveled to Bethany to complete work needed for His ministry <L120>

• Staying in Jerusalem during the Passover celebration was out of the question for Jesus, especially after His hero’s welcome on Palm Sunday

• The crowds would have mobbed Him and interfered with the vital work of His final days, so He stayed in Bethany, which was less than two miles from Jerusalem

• He likely stayed in the home of His friends, the siblings Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Mark 11:11 NIV

[11] Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

** The passage regarding the fig tree refers to the spiritual condition of God’s people <L120>

• Old Testament prophets used the fig tree as a symbol of Israel

Micah 7:1-3 NIV

[1] What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave. [2] The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets. [3] Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire---they all conspire together.

• While God’s people appeared to be holy and obedient, they produced no fruit -- there was no real evidence of their holiness and obedience

• Appearances can be deceiving, but genuine fruit can’t be faked

• If a fruit tree doesn’t produce fruit, it’s useless

• Likewise, if God’s people don’t produce spiritual fruit, they are useless

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

• In cursing the fig tree, Jesus was denouncing Israel’s relationship with Him and warning the people of Israel of their coming judgment

• Jesus was also sending a warning to people who claim to be His followers but show no evidence of a personal relationship with Him

Mark 11:12-14 NIV

John 15:8 NIV

[8] This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

** Like the fig tree, Israel had no fruit because the Jewish people had rejected Jesus as their Messiah. The curse Jesus placed on the tree was symbolic of the fact that the Jewish nation would experience the wrath of God and be set aside if they did not repent

In Mark’s account, the next morning as they returned to the Temple Mount (Tuesday), they saw that the fig tree had withered. Later that same day, after visiting the Temple, Jesus delivered His Olivet Discourse, and he reminded them of the fig tree. That’s when he told them to watch it because one day it would come alive again, and when that happened, the generation that witnessed it would also witness His return to earth. This is why He had told them that morning to “have faith in God.” Their state would be destroyed due to their rejection of their Messiah but one day it would be re-established again. <H994>

In Luke’s account, the parable of the fig tree emphasizes how close judgment had come, and how little time was left for repentance. If repentance did not come soon, the verdict would be to “cut it down.” <R1795>

Mark 11:12-14,19-22 NIV

[12] The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. [13] Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. [14] Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. [19] When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. [20] In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. [21] Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” [22] “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.

Luke 13:6-9 NIV

[6] Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. [7] So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' [8] “ 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. [9] If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' ”

** Notice the progression of events Mark recorded over three days when Jesus was with them:

• Monday — Jesus cursed a fig tree; He knew it was not the time Israel accepted the Messiah

• Tuesday — the disciples noticed the tree dried up; this is in reference to the diaspora or scattering of Jews over the centuries

• Wednesday — while He was teaching during the Olivet Discourse, Jesus encouraged His listeners to learn from the fig tree, to know of His soon return when summer is near and the tree (Israel) is budding and pushing forth leaves <S187>

• Numerous Old Testament prophets such as Hosea, Nahum, and Zachariah refer to Israel as a fig tree <M130>

Mark 11:13-14,20-21 NIV

[13] Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. [14] Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. [20] In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. [21] Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

Mark 13:28-29 NIV

[28] “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. [29] Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.

** Jesus entered His own temple and drove out those who were desecrating it; He didn’t call out the pagans in their temple but those who claimed to be following God

• Both fig tree and temple symbolized first century Judaism

• The tree appeared to flourish but had no fruit while the temple was spectacular, it was filled with avarice rather than prayer

• When the hollowness of religion was exposed, the religious leaders began to look for a way to kill Jesus

• Let’s be honest about the fruitlessness of many churches today and not measure spiritual reality by either flourishing activity or great buildings <R1795>

Mark 11:15-18 NIV

[15] On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, [16] and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. [17] And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.' ” [18] The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

** Annas was the former high priest, a shadowy, godfather-like figure, who was the one in control. Annas had a score to settle with Jesus, for he controlled the tables that Jesus overturned. In fact, they were known as the booths of Annas. He was ripping off God’s people and Jesus was bad for his business.

Later, Annas was part of the plot when Jesus was arrested and destined for crucifixion. Annas bound Jesus and sent Him to Caiaphas, the ruling high priest who ultimately condemned Jesus to death and sent Him to Pilate for execution. <L120>

Mark 11:15-17 NIV

[15] On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, [16] and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. [17] And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.' ”

John 18:12-14 NIV

[12] Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him [13] and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. [14] Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

** Spiritual authority isn’t rooted in ecclesiastical position but in a relationship with God expressed in an authentic servant’s life <R1795>

Mark 11:27-28 NIV

** Jesus cursed a fig tree as a warning about unfruitfulness and His disciples were amazed that the tree withered from the roots; Christ encourages His followers that if we have faith through God then it WILL be accomplished

Mark 11:12-14,19-23 NIV

** Effective prayer to receive whatever you ask involves forgiving others, and being "without wrath and doubt" <M130>

Mark 11:24-25 NIV

[24] Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. [25] And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Matthew 21:22 NIV

[22] If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

** I need not prove to you that prayer, as a duty, is essential to Christian conduct; and, as a privilege, prayer is equally indispensable to Christian enjoyment. All Christians give themselves to this devout exercise. Their petitions are copious, comprehensive, and seemingly earnest.

What solemn professions they make to God! What ardent desires they express! What numerous blessings they seek! What strong resolutions they form!

If we pray — how ought we to live? What kind of people must we be, to live up to the standard of our prayers? And ought we not, in some measure at least, to reach this standard? Should there not be a harmony, a consistency, a proportion between our practice and our prayers?

Do you indeed ACT as you pray? Do you understand the import, and feel the obligation of your own petitions? Do you rise from your knees where you have asked and knocked--to seek? Do you really want, wish for, and endeavor to obtain an answer to your prayers? Are you really intent upon doing and being what you ask for in prayer? <J101>

Acts 2:42-47 NIV

[42] They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Matthew 21:22 NIV

[22] If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 11:24 NIV

[24] Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

** The Pharisees or teachers of the law tried to trick Jesus to prove He was a heretic and not worth following

Mark 11:27-33 NIV

[27] They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. [28] “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” [29] Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. [30] John’s baptism---was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” [31] They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ [32] But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ ” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) [33] So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Mark 11.

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