騎驢進耶路撒冷

11 耶穌和門徒將近耶路撒冷,快到橄欖山附近的伯法其和伯大尼兩個村莊時,祂派了兩個門徒, 對他們說:「你們去前面的村莊,一進村就會看見一頭從來沒有人騎過的驢駒拴在那裡,你們把牠解開牽來。 若有人問你們為什麼這樣做,就說,『主要用牠,很快會把牠送回來。』」 他們進了村子,果然看見有一頭驢駒拴在街道旁一戶人家的門外,就上前解開牠。 旁邊站著的幾個人就問他們:「你們為什麼要解開這頭驢駒?」

門徒依照耶穌的吩咐回答,那些人就讓他們牽走了。 他們把驢駒牽到耶穌面前,將自己的外衣搭在驢背上,耶穌就騎了上去。 很多人把衣服鋪在路上,有人將田間的樹枝砍下來鋪在路上。 大家前呼後擁,高聲歡呼:

「和散那[a]
奉主名來的當受稱頌!
10 那將要來臨的我祖大衛的國度當受稱頌!
和散那歸於至高之處的上帝!」

11 耶穌進了耶路撒冷,來到聖殿,巡視各處。那時天色已晚,耶穌便和十二門徒出城前往伯大尼。

咒詛無花果樹

12 第二天,他們離開伯大尼後,耶穌餓了。 13 祂遠遠看見有一棵枝葉茂盛的無花果樹,就走過去找果子吃。到了樹下,卻什麼也找不到,只有滿樹的葉子,因為當時不是收無花果的季節。 14 祂對那棵樹說:「願無人再吃你的果子!」祂的門徒都聽見了這句話。

潔淨聖殿

15 他們來到耶路撒冷後,耶穌進入聖殿,趕走了裡面做買賣的人,推翻了兌換錢幣之人的桌子和賣鴿子之人的凳子, 16 不准人抬著貨物穿過聖殿。 17 祂教導他們說:「聖經上不是記載『我的殿必稱為萬民禱告的殿』嗎?你們竟把它變成了賊窩。」

18 祭司長和律法教師聽到這番話後,就策劃如何殺害耶穌,只是有些怕祂,因為百姓都對祂的教導感到驚奇。 19 到了傍晚,耶穌和門徒去了城外。

無花果樹的教訓

20 早上,他們又經過那棵無花果樹,看見它連根都枯了。 21 彼得想起昨天發生的事,就對耶穌說:「老師,你看!昨天你咒詛的無花果樹已經枯了。」

22 耶穌說:「要對上帝有信心。 23 我實在告訴你們,不論何人,只要有信心,毫不疑惑,就是對這座山說,『從這裡挪開,投進大海裡!』也必定為他成就。 24 所以我告訴你們,你們禱告時無論求什麼,只要相信已經得到了,就必得到。 25 你們站著禱告的時候,若想起有人得罪了你們,就要饒恕他。這樣,你們天上的父也會饒恕你們的過犯。 26 你們如果不饒恕別人,你們天上的父也不會饒恕你們的過犯。[b]

質問耶穌的權柄

27 他們再次回到耶路撒冷。耶穌在聖殿裡行走的時候,祭司長、律法教師和長老上前質問祂: 28 「你憑什麼權柄做這些事?誰授權給你了?」

29 耶穌說:「我也要問你們一個問題,你們回答了,我就告訴你們我憑什麼權柄做這些事。 30 約翰的洗禮是從天上來的還是從人來的?請回答我!」

31 他們彼此議論說:「如果我們說『是從天上來的』,祂一定會問,『那你們為什麼不信他?』 32 如果我們說『是從人來的』,又怕觸怒百姓,因為他們都相信約翰真的是先知。」 33 於是,他們回答說:「我們不知道。」耶穌說:「我也不告訴你們我憑什麼權柄做這些事。」

Footnotes

  1. 11·9 和散那」原意是「拯救我們」,此處有「讚美」的意思。
  2. 11·26 有些古卷無此節。

Jesus rides into Jerusalem

11 Jesus and his disciples were coming near to Jerusalem. They were almost at the villages called Bethphage and Bethany. They were on the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus sent two of his disciples to go further.[a]

He said to them, ‘Go into the village that is in front of you. When you arrive there, you will immediately see a young donkey. Someone has tied it there. Nobody has ever yet ridden on it. Undo the rope and bring the donkey here to me. Someone may ask you, “Why are you doing this?” Then say, “The Master needs the donkey. He will send it back here soon.” ’

So the two disciples went into the village. They found the young donkey in the street. Someone had tied it outside, by a door. So the disciples undid the rope. Some people were standing there. They asked the two disciples, ‘What are you doing? Why are you undoing the donkey's rope?’ The disciples answered them. They repeated what Jesus had told them to say. The people then let them take the donkey away. The two disciples brought the young donkey to Jesus. They put their coats on its back and Jesus sat on it. Many people then put their coats down on the road. Other people cut branches down from trees in the fields. They put the branches down on the road as well.[b]

Many people went in front of Jesus, and other people followed him. All of them were shouting,

    ‘We praise God!
    May the Lord God bless the king who comes with his authority!
10 Great will be the kingdom of King David, our ancestor!
    We praise God above!’

11 Jesus went into Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked at everything there. It was late in the day, so he then went out of the city to Bethany. The 12 apostles went with him.

A tree without fruit

12 On the next day, they left Bethany. Jesus was hungry. 13 He saw a fig tree which was a long way away. There were leaves on it. So he went to see if it had fruit on it. When he reached it, he found nothing except leaves. That was because it was not the right season for it to have fruit. 14 So Jesus said to the tree, ‘Nobody will ever eat your fruit again.’ And his disciples heard what he said.

Jesus goes to the temple

15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus went into the yard of the temple.[c] People were buying and selling things there. Jesus began to make them all leave that place. Some men were changing coins there for people.[d] He pushed over their tables. And he pushed over the seats of the men who sold birds.[e]

16 Jesus would not let anyone carry things through that place. 17 While he was teaching the people, Jesus said, ‘The Bible says, “God's house will be a place where people from all countries pray.” But you have changed it into a place where robbers meet.’

18 The leaders of the priests and the teachers of God's Law heard this. And they thought about how they could kill Jesus. They were afraid of him. That was because all the crowd were listening to him. And the things that he taught caused the crowd to be very surprised.

19 When it was evening, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city again.

The fig tree is dead

20 The next morning, Jesus and his disciples passed the fig tree. They saw that it was completely dead. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said. So he said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, look at that fig tree. You said that it should die, and it has died.’

22 So Jesus said to them, ‘You must believe in God. 23 I tell you this: A person could say to this mountain, “Move and throw yourself into the sea.” Then it will happen like he says. But he must not let other ideas come into his mind. He must really believe that those things will happen. If he does believe it, God will do those things for him. 24 So I tell you this. When you pray to ask God for anything, believe in him. Believe that you have received that thing. Then you will have whatever you have asked for. 25 But when you stand up to pray, first you must forgive other people. If anyone has done something bad against you, forgive that person. If you do forgive them, your Father in heaven will forgive you. God will forgive you for the bad things that you have done.’ 26 [f]

Jesus talks about his authority

27 Jesus and his disciples arrived again in Jerusalem. Jesus was walking about in the yard at the temple. The leaders of the priests, the teachers of God's Law and the important Jews came to him. 28 They asked him, ‘What authority do you have to do these things? Who gave you the authority to do them?’

29 Jesus replied, ‘I will ask you one question and you should answer me. If you do that, then I will answer your question. I will tell you what authority I have to do these things. 30 John baptized people. Did God give him authority to do this? Or did men tell him to do it? Now, tell me your answer.’

31 Then the Jewish leaders talked to each other. They said, ‘We could say that God gave John his authority. But, if we say that, Jesus will say to us, “Then you should have believed John.” 32 But we do not want to say that only men gave John his authority.’ The Jewish leaders were afraid of the crowd. All the people thought that John really was a prophet from God.

33 So the Jewish leaders answered Jesus: ‘We do not know who gave John his authority.’

So Jesus said to them, ‘You will not answer my question. So I will not tell you what authority I have to do these things.’

Footnotes

  1. 11:1 Bethphage and Bethany were on the east side of the Mount of Olives.
  2. 11:8 The people did this so that the donkey would walk on the coats and branches. People did this when a king or a great leader came.
  3. 11:15 Only priests went into the temple. Other people could go into the yards that were around it.
  4. 11:15 People had to use special money at the temple.
  5. 11:15 There was a market in one of the yards. People could buy animals there.
  6. 11:26 Verse 26 is not in most copies of the Bible.

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

And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.

And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

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

And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

11 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.

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

13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

15 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;

16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.

20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

27 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,

28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.

33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The Triumphal Entry(A)

11 Now (B)when they drew near Jerusalem, to [a]Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”

So they went their way, and found [b]the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”

And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. (C)And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna!
(D)‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes [c]in the name of the Lord!
(E)Hosanna in the highest!”

11 (F)And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

The Fig Tree Withered(G)

12 (H)Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 (I)And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”

And His disciples heard it.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple(J)

15 (K)So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold (L)doves. 16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, (M)‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a (N)‘den of thieves.’

18 And (O)the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because (P)all the people were astonished at His teaching. 19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.

The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree(Q)

20 (R)Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For (S)assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, (T)whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Forgiveness and Prayer(U)

25 “And whenever you stand praying, (V)if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 [d]But (W)if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Jesus’ Authority Questioned(X)

27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. (Y)And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28 And they said to Him, “By what (Z)authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?”

29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 The (AA)baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”

31 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for (AB)all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. 33 So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.”

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 11:1 M Bethsphage
  2. Mark 11:4 NU, M a
  3. Mark 11:10 NU omits in the name of the Lord
  4. Mark 11:26 NU omits v. 26.