On the _chronology_, see Matthew 21:1-11; this entry took place on
_Sunday_ the 10 th of Nisan. The narrative of Mark is the most exact
Mark 11:1. Unto JERUSALEM. The words ‘to' and ‘unto'(E. V.) are
the same in the original.
AND BETHANY. So Luke; see note on Matthew 21:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:1. AND HE BEGAN TO SPEAK UNTO THEM IN PARABLES. A series of
parables was spoken. Matthew records three; Mark and Luke preserve the
principal one only. Comp. the emphatic language of Luke (Luke 20:9):
‘this parable;' and the words: ‘Hear another parable'(Matthew
21:33). All three accounts sho... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:2. A colt. Matthew mentions the mother, but Mark and Luke the
colt only.
WHEREON NO MAN EVER YET SAT. This agrees with the account that the
mother was with it. Animals never yet worked were used for sacred
purposes (Numbers 19:2; Deuteronomy 21:3; 1 Samuel 6:7).... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:3. AND STRAIGHTWAY HE WILL SEND, literally, ‘sendeth,' HIM
AGAIN HITHER. In Matthew the clause corresponding to this is probably
a declaration of what the owner, or those objecting would do. Here the
word ‘again' (found in the best authorities) compels us to take it
as part of the message, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:3-5. The description of the maltreatment of the servants
differs in all three accounts, showing that no special interpretation
is to be given to the different sendings. The actual suffering of the
servants is brought out by Mark, the climax being the ‘killing
some.'
HIM THEY WOUNDED IN THE... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:4. FOUND THE COLT. Mark is more detailed here: perhaps Peter
was one of those sent (comp. Luke 22:8), where Peter and John are the
two sent into the city.
AT THE DOOR WITHOUT. Probably the door of the owner's house.
IN THE OPEN STREET, or, ‘lane.' The E. V. following the Latin
Vulgate, p... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:5. AND CERTAIN OF THEM THAT STOOD THERE _._ It was done
openly. These persons were ‘the owners'(Luke 19:33), probably
members of the family of the owner.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:6. AND THEY (the questioners) LET THEM (the two disciples) GO,
or let them alone to do what they wished. Peculiar to Mark, and
corresponding with the message of Mark 11:3. The reference to the
prophecy of Zechariah (Matthew, John) is omitted by Mark and Luke.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:6. HE HAD YET ONE, A BELOVED SON. Mark's account is more
graphic and touching here.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:7. SAT UPON HIM. On the colt. Luke and John specify this. See
on Matthew 21:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:8. OTHERS LEAVES, AND BOUGHS, or, ‘layers of leaves,' one
word in Greek. The common reading seems to have been an alteration for
the sake of uniformity.
WHICH THEY HAD CUT FROM THE FIELDS. This, which is the more correct
expression, shows that those who did not spread their clothes in the... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:8. KILLED HIM, AND EAST HIM FORTH OUT OF THE VINEYARD. Matthew
and Luke invert the order. This variation is perhaps a caution against
interpreting the details of the parable too closely; but see on
Matthew 21:39.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:9. Comp. Matthew 21:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:9. HE WILL COME AND DESTROY. The full answer of the hearers is
given by Matthew. Here the substance of the answer is given, not as
coming from them, but spoken by our Lord Himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:10. BLESSED IS THE KINGDOM OF OUR FATHER DAVID, THAT COMETH!
or, ‘the coming kingdom of our father David!' This form of the
Hosannas is preserved by Mark alone. It brings out most clearly the
recognition of our Lord as the royal Messiah, who was to restore the
throne of David. It is asserted... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:10-11. See Matthew 21:42, and the thoughts there added in
Matthew 21:43-44; comp. Luke 20:17-18; both narratives are fuller at
this point.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:11. INTO JERUSALEM INTO THE TEMPLE. He passed at once into the
temple, and visited no other point. On the temple, see Matthew 21:12.
The other details of this verse are peculiar to Mark, and strictly
accurate. The afternoon of Sunday seems to have been occupied with
this solemn inspection of... [ Continue Reading ]
Order of Events. On _Monday morning_ the fig tree was cursed (Mark
11:12-14), on the same day the temple cleansed (Mark 11:15-19), the
chief-priests murmuring at the children's Hosannas there (Matthew
21:14-15); on _Tuesday morning_ the fig tree was found to be withered
(Mark 11:20) and the subseque... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:12. AND THEY SOUGHT TO LAY HANDS ON HIM. The three accounts
supplement each other here. The purpose to seize Him is plainly stated
in all. Mark shows that it was a continued effort (literally ‘they
were seeking'); while Luke tells that they would have done so on the
spot, had they not been a... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:12. AND ON THE MORROW (Monday). This definite statement must
explain the indefinite accounts.
FROM BETHANY. This too is a mark of accuracy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:13. Afar off, or, ‘from afar.' Mark presents the appearance
of the tree in the distance: having leaves.
IF HAPLY. Because it had leaves. This scarcely implies doubt in _His_
mind, since the design was to teach the Apostles a very important
lesson.
FOR IT WAS NOT THE SEASON OF FIGS. The f... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:14. HIS DISCIPLES HEARD IT. Another mark of accuracy,
suggesting the report of an eye-witness.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:15. AND THEY COME TO JERUSALEM. Still another mark of
accuracy. On the cleansing of the temple, see on Matthew 21:12 (John
3:13-17, refers to a distinct occurrence).... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:16. AND HE SUFFERED NOT THAT ANY ONE. Peculiar to Mark. How He
stopped this profanation, we do not know.
SHOULD CARRY A VESSEL, including utensils, tools, etc.
THROUGH THE TEMPLE, _i.e._, the court of the Gentiles, which seems to
have been used as a thoroughfare. This practice involved t... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:17. FOR ALL THE NATIONS. Part of the original prophecy (Isaiah
56:7) and of the quotation also; but the stress cannot be laid upon
it, since Matthew and Luke omit it. It shows the independence and
accuracy of this Evangelist.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:18. MIGHT DESTROY HIM. The determination to kill Him had been
formed before (see John 11:53). ‘How,' was now the question. The
answer was the treachery of Judas, who probably meditated this step
already (from the time of the supper at Bethany on Saturday evening),
but first treated with them... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:19. OUT OF THE CITY. To Bethany, as on the evening previous
(Mark 11:11). Comp. Matthew 21:17, which also refers to Monday
evening.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:20. WITHERED AWAY FROM THE ROOTS. The day before the
‘leaves' were visible ‘afar off;' today, Tuesday, the blasting was
complete. Our verse does not say when this took place, but when they
‘saw' it Matthew says that it took place ‘immediately.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:21. PETER. Mark is more definite here than Matthew.
CALLING TO REMEMBRANCE. Peter himself probably informed Mark of the
circumstance. This minute detail, implying an interval, confirms the
view that Mark gives the more exact account
WHICH THOU CURSEDST. The language of Peter; yet our Lor... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:22. HAVE FAITH IN GOD, the object of faith. This miracle was a
sign of the condemnation on Israel, and so understood by the Apostles.
Still their views on the whole subject were indistinct. Our Lord thus
answers a sense of weakness which the Apostles had in view of the
glory and strength of... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:23-24. See on Matthew 21:21-22.
THIS MOUNTAIN. Probably pointing to Mount Moriah, where stood the
temple, the centre of the Jewish worship and the bulwark of the
hypocritical hierarchy.
WHAT HE SAITH COMETH TO PASS. The present tense of _certainty_.
THEREFORE Mark 11:24 connects the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:25. WHEN YE STAND PRAYING. A common and proper posture in
prayer (comp. Luke 18:13).
FORGIVE IF YE HAVE OUGHT AGAINST ANY ONE. See on Matthew 5:23, where
the converse is presented: ‘thy brother hath aught against thee,'
and Matthew 6:14, etc. That such sayings should be repeated almost
word... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:27. AGAIN INTO JERUSALEM. Mark is more particular here.
WALKING IN THE TEMPLE. ‘As if at home, or in His Father's house'
(J. A. Alexander); possibly to see if the profanation had been
renewed, but according to Matthew: ‘as He was teaching' (so Luke);
so that He seems to have taught as He w... [ Continue Reading ]
On the _time_, see on Matthew 21:23-46. The two accounts agree
closely, Matthew alone inserts the parable of the two Sons. Comp, also
Luke 20:1-8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:28. See on Matthew 21:23. Mark with his fondness for solemn
repetitions, adds to the second question: TO DO THESE THINGS. This
implies the only authority which could justify such acts is one given
for this _purpose_. Their challenge thus becomes even more definite.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:30. ANSWER ME. Peculiar to Mark, bringing out yet more
decidedly His challenge of their _moral competency_, to decide as to
His authority. The tone is peremptory, implying confidence of victory
in this encounter.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 11:31-32. Matthew carries out the reasoning of the rulers; but
Mark puts the second part of their pondering in the form of a
question: SHALL WE SAY, FROM MEN? then abruptly answers in His own
words (not theirs): THEY FEARED THE PEOPLE; FOR ALL HELD JOHN TO BE A
PROPHET INDEED. Luke tells that t... [ Continue Reading ]