馬可福音 11
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
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， 2 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。 3 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。』」 4 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。 5 旁邊站著的幾個人就問他們：「你們為什麼要解開這頭驢駒？」
6 門徒依照耶穌的吩咐回答，那些人就讓他們牽走了。 7 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。 8 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。 9 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。」
马可福音 11
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
骑驴进耶路撒冷
11 耶稣和门徒将近耶路撒冷，快到橄榄山附近的伯法其和伯大尼两个村庄时，祂派了两个门徒， 2 对他们说：“你们去前面的村庄，一进村就会看见一头从来没有人骑过的驴驹拴在那里，你们把它解开牵来。 3 若有人问你们为什么这样做，就说，‘主要用它，很快会把它送回来。’” 4 他们进了村子，果然看见有一头驴驹拴在街道旁一户人家的门外，就上前解开它。 5 旁边站着的几个人就问他们：“你们为什么要解开这头驴驹？”
6 门徒依照耶稣的吩咐回答，那些人就让他们牵走了。 7 他们把驴驹牵到耶稣面前，将自己的外衣搭在驴背上，耶稣就骑了上去。 8 很多人把衣服铺在路上，有人将田间的树枝砍下来铺在路上。 9 大家前呼后拥，高声欢呼：
“和散那[a]！
奉主名来的当受称颂！
10 那将要来临的我祖大卫的国度当受称颂！
和散那归于至高之处的上帝！”
11 耶稣进了耶路撒冷，来到圣殿，巡视各处。那时天色已晚，耶稣便和十二门徒出城前往伯大尼。
咒诅无花果树
12 第二天，他们离开伯大尼后，耶稣饿了。 13 祂远远看见有一棵枝叶茂盛的无花果树，就走过去找果子吃。到了树下，却什么也找不到，只有满树的叶子，因为当时不是收无花果的季节。 14 祂对那棵树说：“愿无人再吃你的果子！”祂的门徒都听见了这句话。
洁净圣殿
15 他们来到耶路撒冷后，耶稣进入圣殿，赶走了里面做买卖的人，推翻了兑换钱币之人的桌子和卖鸽子之人的凳子， 16 不准人抬着货物穿过圣殿。 17 祂教导他们说：“圣经上不是记载‘我的殿必称为万民祷告的殿’吗？你们竟把它变成了贼窝。”
18 祭司长和律法教师听到这番话后，就策划如何杀害耶稣，只是有些怕祂，因为百姓都对祂的教导感到惊奇。 19 到了傍晚，耶稣和门徒去了城外。
无花果树的教训
20 早上，他们又经过那棵无花果树，看见它连根都枯了。 21 彼得想起昨天发生的事，就对耶稣说：“老师，你看！昨天你咒诅的无花果树已经枯了。”
22 耶稣说：“要对上帝有信心。 23 我实在告诉你们，不论何人，只要有信心，毫不疑惑，就是对这座山说，‘从这里挪开，投进大海里！’也必定为他成就。 24 所以我告诉你们，你们祷告时无论求什么，只要相信已经得到了，就必得到。 25 你们站着祷告的时候，若想起有人得罪了你们，就要饶恕他。这样，你们天上的父也会饶恕你们的过犯。 26 你们如果不饶恕别人，你们天上的父也不会饶恕你们的过犯。[b]”
质问耶稣的权柄
27 他们再次回到耶路撒冷。耶稣在圣殿里行走的时候，祭司长、律法教师和长老上前质问祂： 28 “你凭什么权柄做这些事？谁授权给你了？”
29 耶稣说：“我也要问你们一个问题，你们回答了，我就告诉你们我凭什么权柄做这些事。 30 约翰的洗礼是从天上来的还是从人来的？请回答我！”
31 他们彼此议论说：“如果我们说‘是从天上来的’，祂一定会问，‘那你们为什么不信他？’ 32 如果我们说‘是从人来的’，又怕触怒百姓，因为他们都相信约翰真的是先知。” 33 于是，他们回答说：“我们不知道。”耶稣说：“我也不告诉你们我凭什么权柄做这些事。”
Mark 11
The Voice
Few people in the Gospels show as much persistence and eagerness in their desire to be healed as blind Bartimaeus. He is not about to be swayed from his efforts to attract Jesus’ attention. The discouragement from everyone around him only makes him shout louder, determined to get the attention of the healer he has heard about.
The blind man’s actions demonstrate his faith. Beggars in first-century Palestine would spread a cloak on the ground in front of them to collect donations from compassionate passersby. It probably isn’t much, but for Bartimaeus, his cloak is all he has. He throws it aside without a thought—probably along with the coins he collected that day—because he is certain that once he meets Jesus, he will not need to be a beggar anymore.
11 When they had gotten close to Jerusalem, near the two villages of Bethphage and Bethany and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His followers ahead of them.
Jesus: 2 Go to that village over there. As soon as you get into the town, you’ll see a young colt tied that nobody has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it back to Me. 3 If anybody stops you and asks what you’re doing, just say, “The Lord needs it, and He will send it back right after He’s done.”
4 Everything happened just as Jesus had told them. They found the colt in the street tied near a door, and they untied it.
Bystanders: 5 What are you doing?
6 They answered as Jesus had instructed and were allowed to take it, 7 so they brought the colt back to Jesus, piled garments on its back to make a comfortable seat, and Jesus rode the animal toward Jerusalem. 8 As they traveled, people cast their cloaks onto the road and spread out leafy branches, which they had brought from the fields along the way. 9 People walked ahead of them, and others followed behind.
People (shouting): Hosanna! Rescue us now, Lord! Hosanna!
Blessed be the One who comes in the name of the Eternal One![a]
10 And blessed is the kingdom of our father David, which draws closer to us today!
Hosanna in the highest heavens!
Jesus enters Jerusalem, but this time He radically redefines the people’s every expectation. His descriptions to His disciples of where they will find the colt He is to ride and how they shall get it has an air of prophecy and supernatural knowledge. He rides a donkey instead of being carried into town on the backs of servants (in a litter as a conquering king would do), fulfilling the prophecy that the King will come riding a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). After all, donkeys are a poor man’s mount, and even in this triumphal entry, Jesus makes it clear He does not intend to conquer and rule in a worldly way. Now, for the first time, He allows the crowds to voice their excitement about who He is and all that He has been doing.
11 To the sound of this chanting, Jesus rode through the gates of Jerusalem and up to the temple. He looked around and saw that evening was coming, so He and the twelve went back to Bethany to spend the night.
12 The next morning, when they departed Bethany and were traveling back to the city, Jesus was hungry. 13 Off in the distance, He saw a fig tree fully leafed out, so He headed toward it to see if it might have any ripe fruit. But when He reached it, He found only leaves because the fig season had not yet come.
14 As the disciples listened, Jesus pronounced a curse on the tree.
Jesus: No one will ever eat fruit from your branches again.
This is the only time recorded in the Gospels when Jesus uses His supernatural power to destroy. The tree is “fully leafed out”—a stage that usually comes after figs are ripe and not before. Because the tree looks as though it ought to have fruit but doesn’t, it is a perfect illustration of people who believe they have the good fruit of righteousness even though their actions are void of true compassion and love, as empty and useless as leaves. And so Jesus curses the fig tree, not out of anger with the tree itself, but as a warning to hypocrites who think their appearance is more important than the fruit of their actions.
15 They continued into Jerusalem and made their way up to the temple.
Upon reaching the temple that morning, Jesus dealt with those who were selling and buying animals for sacrifices and drove them out of the area. He turned over the tables of those who exchanged money for the temple pilgrims and the seats of those selling birds, 16 and He physically prevented anyone from carrying anything through the temple.
Jesus (to those who were listening): 17 Didn’t the prophets write, “My house will be called a house of prayer, for all the people”[b]? But you have made it into a “haven for thieves.”[c]
At the temple, Jesus responds in shock to the scene before Him. He acts decisively and with great emotion against those who have turned God’s house into a place where pilgrims are exploited. He has a message and, like the prophets of old, this message is better seen than heard. Because the temple leadership has allowed profiteers and merchants to set up shop in the court of the Gentiles, they are making ridiculous profits. For the people who come long distances to worship, it is a normal practice to have merchants selling animals for the pilgrims to sacrifice. What is not normal and what is immoral is where and how they transact business. Jesus takes issue with robbers profiteering in His Father’s house.
18 The chief priests and the scribes heard these words and knew Jesus was referring to them, so they plotted His destruction. They had grown afraid of Him because His teachings struck the crowds into astonishment.
19 When evening came, [Jesus and His followers][d] left the city again. 20 The next morning on the way back to Jerusalem, they passed a tree that had withered down to its very roots.
Peter (remembering): 21 That’s the fig tree, Teacher, the one You cursed just yesterday morning. It’s withered away to nothing!
Jesus: 22 Trust in God. 23 If you do, honestly, you can say to this mountain, “Mountain, uproot yourself and throw yourself into the sea.” If you don’t doubt, but trust that what you say will take place, then it will happen. 24 So listen to what I’m saying: Whatever you pray for or ask from God, believe that you’ll receive it and you will. 25 When you pray, if you remember anyone who has wronged you, forgive him so that God above can also forgive you. [26 If you don’t forgive others, don’t expect God’s forgiveness.][e]
27 As they arrived in Jerusalem and were walking in the temple, the chief priests, scribes, and elders came to Jesus 28 and asked Him a question.
Leaders: Tell us, who has given You the authority to say and do the things You’re saying and doing?
Jesus: 29 I will answer your question, if you will answer one for Me. Only then will I tell you who gives Me authority to do these things. 30 Tell Me, when John was ritually cleansing through baptism for the forgiveness of sins, was his authority from heaven or was it merely human?
31 The priests, scribes, and elders huddled together to think through an answer.
Leaders (to themselves): If we say, “It must have been from heaven,” then Jesus will have us. He’ll ask, “Then why didn’t you listen to him and follow him?” 32 But if we say, “John’s cleansing was only human,” the people will be up in arms because they think John was a prophet sent by God. 33 (responding to Jesus) We don’t know what to tell You.
Jesus: All right, then don’t expect Me to tell you where I get the authority to say and do these things.
Footnotes
- 11:9 Psalm 118:26
- 11:17 Isaiah 56:7
- 11:17 Jeremiah 7:11
- 11:19 Some of the earliest manuscripts read “He.”
- 11:26 Some of the earliest manuscripts omit verse 26.
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.