See this passage illustrated in the notes at Matthew 21:1-16.Mark 11:4Two ways met - A crossroads. A public place, probably near the center of the village.Mark 11:5What do ye, loosing the colt? - Or, why do ye do this? What authority have you for doing it?See this passage illustrated in the notes at Matthew 21:1-16. read more
Mark 11:1-3. And when they came nigh to Jerusalem See on Matthew 21:1-3; unto Bethphage and Bethany The limits of Bethany reached to the mount of Olives: and joined to those of Bethphage, which was part of the suburbs of Jerusalem, and reached from the mount of Olives to the walls of the city. Our Lord was now come to the place where the boundaries of Bethphage and Bethany met. Ye shall find a colt tied In Matthew we read, an ass tied, and a colt with her, but Mark and Luke only... read more
FINAL TEACHING IN JERUSALEM119. The triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19)The time had now come for Jesus to challenge his opponents openly by a clear public demonstration that he was Israel’s Messiah. The Jewish leaders wanted to arrest him, but when told of his whereabouts they feared to take action. They were unsure of the extent of Jesus’ popular support (cf. John 11:57; John 12:9-11).To make sure that nothing stopped him from making a bold public... read more
And = And [on the morrow]. Compare John 12:12 . came nigh = drew near; from Bethany to the boun dary of Bethphage and Bethany, which were quite dis tinct, Compare Luke 19:29 , and John 12:12-13 to . . . unto . Greek. eis . App-104 . Bethphage . Aramaic. App-94 . Now Kefr et Tor. at = towards. Gr, pro s. App-104 . sendeth forth , &c. Greek. apostello (at the first entry, poreuomai = Go forward. Matthew 21:6 ). This was on the fourth day before the Passover, and is not parallel... read more
The Gospel of Mark condensed a great detail of material into the remaining six chapters, and not all of it is in strict chronological sequence. However, in this eleventh chapter, there are three successive days designated (Mark 11:11:11; Mark 11:11:12; Mark 11:11:20; and Mark 11:11:27). In the designed brevity of the gospel, it was inevitable that some events would be recorded with many details omitted and that some things would be omitted altogether. The sections of this chapter are devoted... read more
Mark described Jesus’ approach from Jericho generally. He would have come to Bethany ("place of unripe figs") and then Bethphage ("place of young figs") traveling from the east. These villages stood on the southeastern slope of Mt. Olivet, approximately two miles east of Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives stands about 2,600 feet above sea level just east of Jerusalem. The Kidron Valley separates it from the city. The heights of Mt. Olivet provide a splendid view of the temple area. read more
The village opposite was evidently Bethphage, the one the disciples would have encountered after leaving Bethany for Jerusalem. The colt was a young donkey. The Mosaic Law specified that an animal devoted to a sacred purpose had to be one that had not been used for ordinary purposes (Numbers 19:2; Deuteronomy 21:3). Jesus told the disciples to bring both the colt and its mother to Him (Matthew 21:2). The "Lord" is simply a respectful title here referring to Jesus whom the owner evidently had... read more
1. The Triumphal Entry 11:1-11 (cf. Matthew 21:1-17; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19)This is only the second incident that all four evangelists recorded, the other being the feeding of the 5,000 (cf. Mark 6:30-44). This fact reflects its importance. Mark’s account of this event gives much detail, indicating its eyewitness source. It does not stress Jesus’ messiahship greatly. Mark presented Jesus as a humble servant of God and the people. read more
A. Jesus’ formal presentation to Israel 11:1-26Mark chose to record four events: the Triumphal Entry (Mark 11:1-11), the cursing of the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14), the cleansing of the temple (Mark 11:15-19), and the lesson of the cursed fig tree (Mark 11:20-25). These events happened on three successive days (Monday through Wednesday) as the writer noted. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 11:1-11
Parallel passages: Matthew 21:1-11 ; 14-17; Luke 19:29-44 ; John 12:12-19 .— Our Lord's public entry into Jerusalem. I. JOURNEY FROM JERICHO . Jerusalem is at an elevation of three thousand six hundred feet above Jericho in the Jordan valley. The distance between the two cities is upwards of fifteen miles. Travel-stained and weary with this uphill journey, gradually ascending all the way, our Lord stayed over sabbath with the family of Bethany, where he got rested and... read more