Print Page Options Listen to Mark 11

The Triumphal Entry

11 When(A) they approached Jerusalem,(B) at Bethphage and Bethany(C) near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here right away.’”

So they went and found a colt outside in the street, tied by a door. They untied it, and some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They answered them just as Jesus had said; so they let them go.

They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and he sat on it. Many people spread their clothes on the road,(D) and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields.[a] Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted:

Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes
in the name(E) of the Lord![b](F)
10 Blessed is the coming kingdom(G)
of our father David!(H)
Hosanna(I) in the highest heaven!

11 He went into Jerusalem(J) and into the temple.(K) After looking around at everything, since it was already late, he went out to Bethany(L) with the Twelve.

The Barren Fig Tree Is Cursed

12 The(M) next day when they went out from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig(N) tree with leaves, he went to find out if there was anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit(O) from you again!”(P) And his disciples(Q) heard it.

Cleansing the Temple

15 They came to Jerusalem,(R) and he went into the temple(S) and began to throw out those buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers(T) and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple. 17 He was teaching them: “Is it not written,(U) My house(V) will be called a house of prayer(W) for all nations?[c] But you have made it a den of thieves!”[d](X)

18 The chief priests and the scribes(Y) heard it and started looking for a way to kill him. For they were afraid(Z) of him, because the whole crowd was astonished by his teaching.

19 Whenever evening came, they would go out of the city.

The Barren Fig Tree Is Withered

20 Early(AA) in the morning, as they were passing by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. 21 Then Peter(AB) remembered and said to him, “Rabbi,(AC) look! The fig tree that you cursed(AD) has withered.”

22 Jesus replied to them, “Have faith in God.(AE) 23 Truly I tell you,(AF) if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt(AG) in his heart, but believes(AH) that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.(AI) 24 Therefore I tell you, everything you pray(AJ) and ask for(AK)believe that you have received[e](AL) it and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand(AM) praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive(AN) him, so that your Father(AO) in heaven(AP) will also forgive(AQ) you your wrongdoing.”[f]

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

27 They(AR) came again to Jerusalem.(AS) As he was walking in the temple,(AT) the chief priests, the scribes,(AU) and the elders(AV) came 28 and asked him, “By what authority(AW) are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do these things?”

29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question;(AX) then answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was John’s baptism(AY) from heaven or of human origin? Answer me.”

31 They discussed it among themselves: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe(AZ) him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’”—they were afraid of the crowd, because everyone thought that John was truly a prophet.(BA) 33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

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

Footnotes

  1. 11:8 Other mss read others were cutting leafy branches from the trees and spreading them on the road
  2. 11:9 Ps 118:26
  3. 11:17 Is 56:7
  4. 11:17 Jr 7:11
  5. 11:24 Some mss read you receive; other mss read you will receive
  6. 11:25 Some mss include v. 26: “But if you don’t forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your wrongdoing.”

11 They came to Bethphage and Bethany, near Jerusalem by the hill called Olives. Then he sent two of his disciples ahead.

He said, `Go into the village in front of you. As soon as you go in, you will find an animal tied. No one has ever sat on it. Untie it and bring it to me.

If anyone asks you, "Why are you doing this?" tell him, "The Lord needs it. He will send it back soon." '

The disciples went. They found the animal tied outside a door in the street. They untied it.

People standing there said, `What are you doing, untying the animal?'

The disciples said what Jesus had told them to say. So they let them go.

They brought it to Jesus and laid their coats on it. He got on it.

Many people spread their coats on the road. Others cut leaves and branches from the fields and put them on the road.

People in front of him and people behind him shouted, `Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord!

10 God bless the kingdom of our father David which is coming. Praise him in heaven!'

11 And so Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. He looked at everything. Then he went out with the twelve disciples to Bethany. It was late already.

12 In the morning when they were on the way out of Bethany, Jesus was hungry.

13 He saw a fig tree a little way off with leaves on it. So he went to see if it had figs. He came to the tree. There was no fruit on it, only leaves. It was not the time for figs.

14 Jesus said to the tree, `No one will ever eat a fig from you again!' His disciples heard what he said.

15 They reached Jerusalem. Jesus went into the temple. He began to drive out the people who were buying and selling in the temple. He threw down the tables of the money changers. He pushed down the seats of those who sold doves.

16 He would not let anyone carry anything through the temple.

17 He taught the people, saying, `The holy writings say, "My house shall be called a house for all tribes and nations, where people talk with God." But you have made it a place for people who steal!'

18 The chief priests and scribes heard what he said. They wanted to find some way to kill him. They feared Jesus because all the people were surprised at his teaching.

19 In the evening Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

20 The next morning they passed the fig tree again. They saw that it had died from the roots.

21 Peter remembered about it. He said, `Look Master, you cursed the fig tree and it has died.'

22 Jesus said, `Believe in God.

23 I tell you the truth. Anyone may say to this hill, "Go and jump into the sea." He must not doubt in his heart, but he must believe that he will have the things he asks for and he will have them.

24 So I tell you, when you ask God for anything believe that you will get it and you will have it.

25 When you stand and talk with God, forgive others for the wrong things they have done to you. Then your Father in heaven will also forgive you for the wrong things you have done.

26 But if you do not forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive you for the wrong things you have done.'

27 They came to Jerusalem again. Jesus walked in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders came to him.

28 They said, `What right have you to do these things? Who gave you the right to do them?'

29 Jesus said, `I will ask you a question. If you answer me, I will answer you and tell you what right I have to do these things.

30 Who gave John the right to baptise people? Did God or did men? Answer me!'

31 So they talked it over together. They said, `If we say, "God gave John the right," he will say, "Then why did you not believe him?"

32 But what if we say, "Men gave him the right to do it"?' They feared the people because they all believed that John was a prophet of God.

33 So they answered Jesus, `We do not know.' Then Jesus said, `Neither will I tell you what right I have to do these things.'

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King(A)(B)

11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany(C) at the Mount of Olives,(D) Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden.(E) Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway.(F) As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna![a]

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b](G)

10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”(H)

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.(I)

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts(J)(K)(L)

12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.(M) 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’[c]?(N) But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’[d](O)

18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him,(P) because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.(Q)

19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples[e] went out of the city.(R)

20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi,(S) look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[f] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.(T) 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.(U) 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”(V) [26] [g]

The Authority of Jesus Questioned(W)

27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”

31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)(X)

33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 11:9 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise; also in verse 10
  2. Mark 11:9 Psalm 118:25,26
  3. Mark 11:17 Isaiah 56:7
  4. Mark 11:17 Jer. 7:11
  5. Mark 11:19 Some early manuscripts came, Jesus
  6. Mark 11:23 Some early manuscripts “If you have faith in God,” Jesus answered, 23 “truly
  7. Mark 11:26 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Matt. 6:15.

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 King Enters Jerusalem(A)

11 When they came near Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus[a] sent two of his disciples on ahead and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you go into it, you will find a colt tied up that no one has ever ridden. Untie it, and bring it along. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?,’ say, ‘The Lord needs it,’ and he will send it back here at once.”

So they went and found the colt outside in the street tied up next to a doorway. While they were untying it, some men standing there asked them, “What are you doing untying that colt?” The disciples[b] told them what Jesus had said, and the men[c] let them go.

They brought the colt to Jesus, threw their coats on it, and he sat on it. Many people spread their coats on the road, while others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed him were shouting,

“Hosanna![d]
How blessed is the one who comes
    in the name of the Lord![e]
10 How blessed is the coming kingdom[f]
    of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”[g]

11 Then Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the Temple and looked around at everything. Since it was already late, he went out with the Twelve to Bethany.

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree(B)

12 The next day, as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus[h] became hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree covered with leaves, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing except leaves because it wasn’t the season for figs. 14 So he told it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” Now his disciples were listening to this.

Confrontation in the Temple over Money(C)

15 When they came to Jerusalem, he went into the Temple and began to throw out those who were selling and those who were buying in the Temple. He overturned the moneychangers’ tables and the chairs of those who sold doves. 16 He wouldn’t even let anyone carry a vessel through the Temple. 17 Then he began to teach them: “It is written, is it not, ‘My house is to be called a house of prayer for all nations’?[i] But you’ve turned it into a hideout[j] for bandits!” 18 When the high priests and elders heard this, they began to look for a way to kill him, because they were afraid of him, since the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. 19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples[k] would leave the city.

The Lesson from the Dried Fig Tree(D)

20 While they were walking along early the next morning, they saw the fig tree dried up to its roots. 21 Remembering what Jesus had said,[l] Peter pointed out to him, “Rabbi,[m] look! The fig tree you cursed has dried up!”

22 Jesus told his disciples,[n] “Have faith in God! 23 I tell all of you[o] with certainty, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ if he doesn’t doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 That is why I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received[p] it and it will be yours.

25 “Whenever you stand up to pray, forgive whatever you have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins. 26 But if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.”[q]

Jesus’ Authority is Challenged(E)

27 Then they went into Jerusalem again. While Jesus[r] was walking in the Temple, the high priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him 28 and asked him, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority to do them?”

29 Jesus told them, “I’ll ask you one question.[s] Answer me, and then I’ll tell you by what authority I’m doing these things. 30 Was John’s authority to baptize[t] from heaven or from humans? Answer me.”

31 They began discussing this among themselves. “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he’ll say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From humans’…?” They were afraid of the crowd, because everyone really thought John was a prophet.

33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then Jesus told them, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I’m doing these things.”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 11:1 Lit. he
  2. Mark 11:6 Lit. They
  3. Mark 11:6 Lit. they
  4. Mark 11:9 Hosanna is Heb. for Please save or Praise.
  5. Mark 11:9 MT source citation reads Lord
  6. Mark 11:10 Cf. Ps 148:1
  7. Mark 11:10 Cf. Ps 118:25-26; Ps 148:1
  8. Mark 11:12 Lit. he
  9. Mark 11:17 Cf. Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11
  10. Mark 11:17 Lit. cave
  11. Mark 11:19 Lit. came, they
  12. Mark 11:21 The Gk. lacks what Jesus had said
  13. Mark 11:21 Rabbi is Heb. for Master and/or Teacher
  14. Mark 11:22 Lit. to them
  15. Mark 11:23 The Gk. pronoun you is pl.
  16. Mark 11:24 Other mss. read are receiving; still other mss. read will receive
  17. Mark 11:26 Other mss. lack this verse
  18. Mark 11:27 Lit. he
  19. Mark 11:29 Lit. one word
  20. Mark 11:30 Lit. John’s baptism