Bible Commentaries
Mark 11

Verse 1

And = And [on the morrow]. Compare John 12:12 .

came nigh = drew near; from Bethany to the boun dary of Bethphage and Bethany, which were quite dis tinct, Compare Luke 19:29 , and John 12:12-13

to . . . unto . Greek. eis . App-104 .

Bethphage . Aramaic. App-94 . Now Kefr et Tor.

at = towards. Gr, pro s. App-104 .

sendeth forth , &c. Greek. apostello (at the first entry, poreuomai = Go forward. Matthew 21:6 ). This was on the fourth day before the Passover, and is not parallel with Matthew 21:1-17 . This is the second entry, from Bethany (not from Bethphage). The former (on the sixth day before the Passover) was unexpected (Matthew 21:10 , Matthew 21:11 ). This was prepared for (John 12:12 , John 12:13 ).

disciples . Not apostles.

Verse 2

into . Greek eis. App-104 .

over against = below and opposite ( katenanti ). At the former entry it was apenanti = right opposite (Matthew 21:2 ).

as soon as = immediately. See notes on Mark 1:10 , Mark 1:12 .

colt tied. At the former entry "an ass tied and a colt with her" (Matthew 21:2 ).

An untamed colt submits to the Lord . Not so His People to whom He was coming (John 1:11 ),

whereon. = upon (Greek. epi. App-104 .) which.

never man = no one (Greek. oudeis. See App-105 .)

of men. = man. Greek. anthopos . App-123 .

bring him = lead it.

Verse 3

if any man = if any one. The contingency being probable. See App-118 . The same word as in verses: Mark 11:31 , Mark 11:32 ; not the same as in verses: Mark 11:13 , Mark 11:25 , Mark 11:26 .

the Lord. App-98 .

straightway. See note on Mark 1:12 .

Verse 4

the = a. According to all the texts.

by = at. Greek. pros. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Mark 11:28 , Mark 11:29 , Mark 11:33 .

in = on. or upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .

a place where two ways met = in that quarter [where the Lord had said]. Greek. amphodos. The regular word in the Papyri to denote the "quarter" or part (Latin vicus) of a city. Occurs only here in N.T. But Codex Bazae (Cambridge), cent. b or 6, adds (in Acts 19:28 ) after "wrath", "running into that quarter".

Verse 5

What do ye . ? = What are you doing?

Verse 6

Jesus. App-98 .

Verse 7

brought = led.

to. Greek. pros. App-104 . Not the came word as in verses: Mark 11:1 , Mark 11:13 , Mark 11:15 .

him = it.

upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .

Verse 8

in = on. Greek. eis . App-104 . Matthew and Luke have "in". Greek. eis App-104 .

cut = were cutting. branches off. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version reads "branches of".

branches . Matthew, Mark, and John have each a different word. Each is a Divine supplement to the other two. All three were cut and cast. Matthew, plural of klados = branches; Mark, plural of stoibas = litter, made of leaves from the fields (Occurs only here); John 12:13 , has plural of baion = palm branches.

off = out of. Greek ek. App-104 .

in = on. Greek. eis. App-104 .

Verse 9

Hosanna, &c. Quoted from Psalms 118:25 , Psalms 118:26 . See note on Matthew 21:9 .

in. Greek. en. App-104 .

the LORD. App-98 . B. a.

Verse 11

temple . Greek. hieron: i, e. the temple courts. Not the naos . See note on Matthew 23:16 .

when He had looked round about upon . There fore not the same entry as in Matthew 21:12-16 . Compare verses: Mark 11:15 , Mark 11:16 .

now the eventide was come = the hour already being late.

with = in company with. Greek. meta . App-104 .

Verse 12

from = away from. Greek apo. App-101 . Not the same word as in verses: Mark 11:20 , Mark 11:30 , Mark 11:31 ,

Verse 13

seeing. Greek eidon. App-133 .

a fig tree . The symbol of Israel as to national privilege.

having leaves . Compare Mark 13:28 . Summer was not near. Symbolical of Israel at that time.

came = went.

if haply = it after all. App-118 . As in Mark 11:26 . Not the same as in verses: Mark 11:3 , Mark 11:31 , Mark 11:32 . He had reason to expect fruit, as figs appear before or with the leaves.

when He came = having come.

to = up to. Greek. epi. App-104 .

the time, &c. = it was not the season, &c. A Divine supplement, here.

not. Greek ou. App-105 . The same word as in verses: Mark 11:11 , Mark 11:1 Mark 11:6 , Mark 11:17 , Mark 11:26 , Mark 11:31 , Mark 11:33 , Not the same as in Mark 11:23 .

Verse 14

answered and said . Hebrew Idiom. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 .

No man = No one.

of. Greek. ek App-104 .

for ever. Greek. eis ton aiona. See App-151 .

His disciples heard. A Divine supplement, here. They heard also the Lord's teaching as to the symbol. See Mark 11:20-26 .

Verse 15

began . See note on Mark 1:1 .

to cast out. This was a further cleansing than that in Matthew 21:0 .

Verse 16

And would not suffer, &c. This was not done at the former cleansing in Matthew 21:12-16 .

vessel . Greek skeuos. See note on Mark 3:27 . Used of vessels in general for non-sacred purposes.

through. Greek. dia App-104 .Mark 11:1 . As if through a street.

Verse 17

ls it not written . ? = Doth it not stand written that, &c. The composite quotation is from Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 See App-107 .

of = for.

nations = the nations. See App-107 .

prayer. App-134 .

thieves = robbers, or brigands. Greek. lestes . Compare Matthew 21:13 ; Matthew 26:55 John 10:1 , John 10:8 . Not kleptes = a thief.

Verse 18

sought = began to seek.

at. Greek. epi. App-104 .

doctrine = teaching.

Verse 19

went = was going (i.e. where He was wont).

out of = without. Doubtless to Bethany, as before. Compare Mark 11:20 , and see App-156 .

Verse 20

And in the morning, &c. Verses 20-26 are a Divine supplement of details, here.

from = out of. Greek ek. App-104 . Not the same word as in Mark 11:12 .

Verse 21

Master = Rabbi. See App-98 .

behold = see. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 and App-133 .

withered away. Symbolieel as to the national existence and privilege of Israel.

Verse 22

Have faith in God. He and He alone can restore it to life - yea, "life from the dead". See Romans 11:15 .

God. App-98 .

Verse 23

verily. See note on Matthew 5:18 .

this mountain. Referring, and probably pointing to Olivet. Compare Matthew 17:20 ; Matthew 21:21 ; and see note on Luke 17:6 .

not, Greek me. App-105 . Not the same word as in verses: Mark 11:13 , Mark 11:16 , Mark 11:17 , Mark 11:26 , Mark 11:31 , Mark 11:33 .

doubt . Greek. diakrino . App-122 .

he shall have, &c. = there shall be to him.

Verse 24

Therefore = On account of ( App-104 .Mark 11:2; Mark 11:2 ) this. pray. App-134 .

ye shall have them . [They] shall be to you.

Verse 25

against. Greek. kata . App-104 .

Father. App-98 .

heaven = the heavens. Plural as in Mark 11:26 , but Singular in Mark 11:30 . See notes on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

trespasses = falling aside. Greek paraptoma. App-128 .:4.

Verse 26

But if , &c. Verse 26 is omitted by T Tr. WH R; but not by the Syriac.

Verse 27

walking . A Divine supplement, here.

Verse 28

By . Greek en. App-104 . Same word as in verses: Mark 11:29 , Mark 11:33 . Not the same as in Mark 11:4 ,

what = what kind (or sort) of.

authority . Greek exousia . App-172 .

this = this particular.

to do = that Thou shouldest do.

Verse 29

I will also ask, &c. Note the use of the Figure of speech Anteisagoge ( App-6 ), answering one question by asking another.

Verse 30

heaven . Singular. See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

Verse 31

with. Greek. pros. App-104 . Not the same word as in Mark 11:11 .

Verse 32

say, Of men. Supply the logical Ellipsis, thus: "Of men [it will not be wise]; for they feared the people", &c.

Verse 33

We cannot tell = We do not (Greek. ou. App-105 .) know (Greek. oida . App-132 .)