ESV Reformation Study Bible – Mark 11:1
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Mark 11:1

11:1 when they drew near to Jerusalem. The journey (10:1 note) reaches its destination, and what is called Passion Week begins. Jesus’ decision to come up to Jerusalem is clearly determined by His understanding of the Old Testament and His prophecies concerning His own death (8:31 note).

Bethphage. Hebrew for “house of unripe figs,” a small village east of Jerusalem.

Bethany. Hebrew for “house of sadness,” two or three miles east of Jerusalem.

Mount of Olives. East of Jerusalem and rising about two hundred feet higher than the temple mount, this high hill commands a spectacular view of Jerusalem and especially of the temple. In Jesus’ time it was covered with olive trees, but was stripped of them by the Romans during the siege of Jerusalem in a.d. 70.