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The Triumphal Entry

11 Now[a] as they approached Jerusalem, near Bethphage[b] and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives,[c] Jesus[d] sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go to the village ahead of you.[e] As soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there that has never been ridden.[f] Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it[g] and will send it back here soon.’” So[h] they went and found a colt tied at a door, outside in the street, and untied it. Some people standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They replied as Jesus had told them, and the bystanders[i] let them go. Then[j] they brought the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks[k] on it, and he sat on it.[l] Many spread their cloaks on the road and others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Both those who went ahead and those who followed kept shouting, “Hosanna![m] Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord![n] 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 Then[o] Jesus[p] entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. And after looking around at everything, he went out to Bethany with the twelve since it was already late.

Cursing of the Fig Tree

12 Now[q] the next day, as they went out from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 After noticing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he went to see if he could find any fruit[r] 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,[s] “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.[t]

Cleansing the Temple

15 Then[u] they came to Jerusalem. Jesus[v] entered the temple area[w] and began to drive out those who were selling and buying in the temple courts.[x] He turned over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he would not permit anyone to carry merchandise[y] through the temple courts.[z] 17 Then he began to teach[aa] them and said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’?[ab] But you have turned it into a den[ac] of robbers!”[ad] 18 The chief priests and the experts in the law[ae] heard it and they considered how they could assassinate[af] him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed by his teaching. 19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples[ag] went out of the city.

The Withered Fig Tree

20 In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered.” 22 Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth,[ah] if someone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will[ai] also forgive you your sins.”[aj]

The Authority of Jesus

27 They came again to Jerusalem. While Jesus[ak] was walking in the temple courts,[al] the chief priests, the experts in the law,[am] and the elders came up to him 28 and said, “By what authority[an] are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from people?[ao] Answer me.” 31 They discussed with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From people—’” (they feared the crowd, for they all considered John to be truly a prophet). 33 So[ap] they answered Jesus,[aq] “We don’t know.”[ar] Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you[as] by what authority[at] I am doing these things.”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 11:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
  2. Mark 11:1 sn The exact location of the village of Bethphage is not known. Most put it on the southeast side of the Mount of Olives and northwest of Bethany, about 1.5 miles (3 km) east of Jerusalem.
  3. Mark 11:1 sn “Mountain” in English generally denotes a higher elevation than it often does in reference to places in Palestine. The Mount of Olives is really a ridge running north to south about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long, east of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley. Its central elevation is about 30 meters (100 ft) higher than Jerusalem. It was named for the large number of olive trees which grew on it.
  4. Mark 11:1 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  5. Mark 11:2 tn Grk “the village lying before you” (BDAG 530 s.v. κατέναντι 2.b).
  6. Mark 11:2 tn Grk “a colt tied there on which no one of men has ever sat.”
  7. Mark 11:3 sn The custom called angaria allowed the impressment of animals for service to a significant figure.
  8. Mark 11:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.
  9. Mark 11:6 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the people mentioned in v. 5) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  10. Mark 11:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  11. Mark 11:7 tn Grk “garments”; but this refers in context to their outer cloaks. The action is like 2 Kgs 9:13.
  12. Mark 11:7 sn See Zech 9:9, a prophecy fulfilled here (cf. Matt 21:5; John 12:15.
  13. Mark 11:9 tn The expression ῾Ωσαννά (hōsanna, literally in Hebrew, “O Lord, save”) in the quotation from Ps 118:25-26 was probably by this time a familiar liturgical expression of praise, on the order of “Hail to the king,” although both the underlying Aramaic and Hebrew expressions meant “O Lord, save us.” The introductory ὡσαννά is followed by the words of Ps 118:25, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου (eulogēmenos ho erchomenos en onomati kuriou), although in the Fourth Gospel the author adds for good measure καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ (kai ho basileus tou Israēl). In words familiar to every Jew, the author is indicating that at this point every messianic expectation is now at the point of realization. It is clear from the words of the psalm shouted by the crowd that Jesus is being proclaimed as messianic king. See E. Lohse, TDNT 9:682-84.sn Hosanna is an Aramaic expression that literally means, “help, I pray,” or “save, I pray.” By Jesus’ time it had become a strictly liturgical formula of praise, however, and was used as an exclamation of praise to God.
  14. Mark 11:9 sn A quotation from Ps 118:25-26.
  15. Mark 11:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “Then” to indicate the transition from the previous narrative.
  16. Mark 11:11 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  17. Mark 11:12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
  18. Mark 11:13 tn Grk “anything.”
  19. Mark 11:14 tn Grk “And answering, he said to it.” The participle ἀποκριθείς (apokritheis) is redundant and has not been translated.
  20. Mark 11:14 sn Mark 11:12-14. The incident of the cursing of the fig tree occurs before he enters the temple for a third time (11:27ff) and is questioned at length by the religious leaders (11:27-12:40). It appears that Mark records the incident as a portent of what is going to happen to the leadership in Jerusalem who were supposed to have borne spiritual fruit but have been found by Messiah at his coming to be barren. The fact that the nation as a whole is indicted is made explicit in chapter 13:1-37 where Jesus speaks of Jerusalem’s destruction and his second coming.
  21. Mark 11:15 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  22. Mark 11:15 tn Grk “He”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  23. Mark 11:15 tn Grk “the temple.”sn The merchants (those who were selling) would have been located in the Court of the Gentiles.
  24. Mark 11:15 tn Grk “the temple.”sn Matthew (21:12-27), Mark (here, 11:15-19), and Luke (19:45-46) record this incident of the temple cleansing at the end of Jesus’ ministry. John (2:13-16) records a cleansing of the temple at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. See the note on the word temple courts in John 2:14 for a discussion of the relationship of these accounts to one another.
  25. Mark 11:16 tn Or “things.” The Greek word σκεῦος (skeuos) can refer to merchandise, property, goods, a vessel, or even generally “things” (but in the sense of some implement or tool). The idea here is almost certainly restricted to merchandise, rather than the more general “things,” although some suggest from the parallel with m. Berakhot 9.5 that Jesus was not even allowing sandals, staffs, or coin-purses to be carried through the court. The difficulty with this interpretation, however, is that it is fundamentally an appeal to Jewish oral tradition (something Jesus rarely sided with) as well as being indiscriminate toward all the worshipers.
  26. Mark 11:16 tn Grk “the temple.”
  27. Mark 11:17 tn The imperfect ἐδίδασκεν (edidasken) is here taken ingressively.
  28. Mark 11:17 sn A quotation from Isa 56:7.
  29. Mark 11:17 tn Or “a hideout” (see L&N 1.57).
  30. Mark 11:17 sn A quotation from Jer 7:11. The meaning of Jesus’ statement about making the temple courts a den of robbers probably operates here at two levels. Not only were the religious leaders robbing the people financially, but because of this they had also robbed them spiritually by stealing from them the opportunity to come to know God genuinely. It is possible that these merchants had recently been moved to this location for convenience.
  31. Mark 11:18 tn Or “The chief priests and the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 1:22.
  32. Mark 11:18 tn Grk “how they could destroy him.”
  33. Mark 11:19 tn Grk “they”; the referents (Jesus and his disciples) have been specified in the translation for clarity. Without such clarification there is room for considerable confusion here, since there are two prior sets of plural referents in the context, “the chief priests and experts in the law” and “the whole crowd” (both in v. 18).
  34. Mark 11:23 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
  35. Mark 11:25 tn Although the Greek subjunctive mood, formally required in a subordinate clause introduced by ἵνα (hina), is traditionally translated by an English subjunctive (e.g., “may,” so KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV), changes in the use of the subjunctive in English now result in most readers understanding such a statement as indicating permission (“may” = “has permission to”) or as indicating uncertainty (“may” = “might” or “may or may not”). Thus a number of more recent translations render such instances by an English future tense (“will,” so TEV, CEV, NLT, NASB 1995 update). That approach has been followed here.
  36. Mark 11:25 tc A number of significant mss of various textual families (א B L W Δ Ψ 565 700 892 sa) do not include 11:26 “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your sins.” The verse is included in most later mss (A [C D] Θ1,13 33] M lat) and is not likely to be original. It is probably an assimilation to Matt 6:15. The present translation follows NA28 in omitting the verse number, a procedure also followed by a number of other modern translations.
  37. Mark 11:27 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  38. Mark 11:27 tn Grk “the temple.”
  39. Mark 11:27 tn Or “the chief priests, the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 1:22.
  40. Mark 11:28 tn On this phrase, see BDAG 844 s.v. ποῖος 2.a.γ.
  41. Mark 11:30 tn The plural Greek term ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) is probably used here (and in v. 32) in a generic sense, referring to both men and women (cf. NAB, NRSV, “of human origin”; TEV, “from human beings”; NLT, “merely human”).sn The question is whether John’s ministry was of divine or human origin.
  42. Mark 11:33 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.
  43. Mark 11:33 tn Grk “answering, they said to Jesus.” The participle ἀποκριθέντες (apokrithentes) is redundant, but the syntax of the phrase has been modified to conform to English style.
  44. Mark 11:33 sn Very few questions could have so completely revealed the wicked intentions of the religious leaders. Jesus’ question revealed the motivation of the religious leaders and exposed them for what they really were—hypocrites. They indicted themselves when they cited only two options and chose neither of them (“We do not know”). The point of Mark 11:27-33 is that no matter what Jesus said in response to their question they were not going to believe it and would in the end use it against him.
  45. Mark 11:33 sn Neither will I tell you. Though Jesus gave no answer, the analogy he used to their own question makes his view clear. His authority came from heaven.
  46. Mark 11:33 tn On this phrase, see BDAG 844 s.v. ποῖος 2.a.γ. This is exactly the same phrase as in v. 28.

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.

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。

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, 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。 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。’” 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。 旁边站着的几个人就问他们:“你们为什么要解开这头驴驹?”

门徒依照耶稣的吩咐回答,那些人就让他们牵走了。 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。 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。 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。”

Footnotes

  1. 11:9 和散那”原意是“拯救我们”,此处有“赞美”的意思。
  2. 11:26 有些古卷无此节。