Mark Chapter 11

At a Glance

  • Mark 11 is a hinge of triumphal entry, temple cleansing, and the beginning of Jesus’ confrontations in Jerusalem.
  • The next movement concerns faith and judgment: Jesus curses a barren fig tree and uses the episode as a parable-like sign of judgment on unfruitful, faithless religious life.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Mark 11 sits at the heart of Jesus’ last days in Jerusalem, foreshadowing the passion.
  • - Jesus as rightful king and critic of corruption: The entry and cleansing reveal the tension between royal welcome and moral reform.

Chapter Overview

Mark 11 is a hinge of triumphal entry, temple cleansing, and the beginning of Jesus’ confrontations in Jerusalem. The chapter opens with Jesus sending two disciples to fetch a colt, fulfilling prophecy and entering Jerusalem with praise. The crowds herald him as one who comes in the name of the Lord, echoing messianic expectations. Jesus’ entry culminates in a poignant temple visitation: he surveys the space, then, as an act of symbolic critique, overturns the tables of the moneychangers and those who sold doves. This vivid action signals a divinely sanctioned purging of commercialism from the sacred space and a call to true worship—one that is just, righteous, and centered on God.

The next movement concerns faith and judgment: Jesus curses a barren fig tree and uses the episode as a parable-like sign of judgment on unfruitful, faithless religious life. He engages the religious authorities in debate about divine authority and the temple’s integrity, pressing them to understand the authority of his message and mission. Throughout, Mark emphasizes the conflict between Jesus’ radical disruption of the status quo and the entrenched religious system. The chapter sets the stage for the passion narrative, highlighting the clash between divine authority expressed in Jesus and the human resistance to repentance and reform. It ends with Jesus teaching about faith, forgiveness, and authority, signaling a spiraling confrontation with the powers that be.

Historical & Literary Context

Mark 11 sits at the heart of Jesus’ last days in Jerusalem, foreshadowing the passion. The triumphal entry blends Jewish messianic expectation with Jesus’ non-violent, paradoxical kingship. The temple cleansing is a radical act of prophetic critique, aligning with prophetic patterns that confront injustice and corruption within sacred spaces. The fig tree episode and debates in the temple reflect Mark’s focus on faith, authority, and the challenge of genuine fruitfulness. The genre remains a vivid narrative designed to compel response: belief, repentance, and loyalty to Jesus, even in the face of opposition. The broader theological aim is to highlight Jesus’ authority as unique and ultimate, surpassing the religious structures that misinterpret or misuse religious practice.

Key Themes

- Jesus as rightful king and critic of corruption: The entry and cleansing reveal the tension between royal welcome and moral reform.

- True worship over ritual: The temple cleansing rejects commercialized religion and demands integrity and justice.

- Faith and fruitfulness: The fig tree becomes a sign of faith’s outward fruitfulness—or lack thereof.

- Authority and rebellion: Jesus’ authority is tested against human religious power; response requires repentance and surrender.

- The road to the cross begins: The acts set up a trajectory toward crucifixion and the need for faith despite opposition.

Modern Application

Mark 11 encourages contemporary readers to assess how they engage worship spaces, leadership, and religious communities. It critiques the commodification of faith—where money, power, or performance can overshadow genuine devotion. The temple cleansing challenges churches to examine systems that exclude or exploit the vulnerable, reminding us that justice and righteousness should accompany worship. The fig tree episode invites believers to cultivate visible fruit of faith: acts of mercy, integrity, and fidelity that align with Jesus’ mission. The narrative invites bold, faithful engagement with truth, even when it risks conflict with entrenched power structures. Practically, this can translate into advocacy for social justice, ethical leadership, and worship communities that prioritize discipleship and genuine transformation over status or spectacle.

Cross-References (3-5 related passages)

- Psalm 24 (the King entering the temple with purity)

- Isaiah 56-58 (godly worship and justice)

- John 2:13-22 (temple cleansing in a different Gospel)

- Luke 19:41-44 (Jerusalem’s judgment)

Recommended Personas

- Jesus (central to interpretation)

- Peter (reaction to royal authority and conflict)

- Moses (prophetic purification of sacred space)

- Paul (theology of church as temple and Spirit-filled life)

Chapter Text

1

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

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

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

9

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.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore Mark Chapter 11 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

Ask Apostle PaulAsk MosesAsk King DavidAsk Jesus Christ
← Mark 10Mark 12 →