ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Mark 11

Mark 11:1–13:37 Entering and Judging Jerusalem. Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, cleanses the temple, and authoritatively teaches both opponents and disciples.

Mark 11:2 Matthew mentions that a donkey was with the colt (see note on Matt. 21:6–7).

Mark 11:7 By riding on a donkey, Jesus fulfills a prophecy about the Messiah (Zech. 9:9). See notes on Matt. 21:4–5; John 12:15.

Mark 11:8 On the significance of cloaks and branches, see 2 Kings 9:12–13 and notes on Matt. 21:8; John 12:13.

Mark 11:9 Hosanna. “Save!” See note on Ps. 118:25. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord is from Ps. 118:25–26, a prayer of blessing for the coming messianic kingdom (see notes on Matt. 23:39; Luke 13:35). The Triumphal Entry takes place at the beginning of Passover week, which recalls the Jewish people’s liberation from Egyptian slavery (see note on Mark 14:17). The pilgrims now are anticipating liberation from Rome’s oppression. But rather than defeating Rome, Jesus will defeat Satan, sin, and death. This celebration fulfills Zech. 9:9.

Mark 11:11 As the sovereign Lord who “will suddenly come to his temple” (Mal. 3:1), Jesus looked around at everything in the temple area. During this week, Jesus and the Twelve stay a short distance outside Jerusalem in Bethany, probably with their friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha (see John 12:2–3).

Mark 11:12–12:44 Jesus’ first actions, after being hailed by the people as King, are to pass judgment on Jerusalem figuratively through the cursing of the fig tree and to cleanse the temple. These actions show his zeal for true worship of God.

Mark 11:13–14 Since the fruit of the fig tree begins to appear about the same time as the leaves, the appearance of leaves in full bloom means that the figs should already have been growing. But Jesus found nothing but leaves on the fig tree. This symbolizes the hypocrisy of those who seem to be bearing fruit but in fact are not. Jesus has in mind especially Israel, since in the OT the fig tree often serves as a symbol for Israel (e.g., Jer. 8:13; Hos. 9:10, 16; Joel 1:7).

Mark 11:15–17 he entered the temple. Jesus comes as Lord of the temple, to purify it (Mal. 3:1–4). See notes on Matt. 21:12–17; 21:12. Tables had been set up in the temple area to enable pilgrims to change their various currencies into coins for the annual temple tax, as well as to purchase pigeons, lambs, oil, salt, etc., for various sacrifices. But the business activity had turned the temple into a den of robbers (Jer. 7:11). Gentiles in particular were hindered by the commerce in the outer temple court. Jesus wants to restore the temple to its function as a house of prayer for all the nations (Isa. 56:7).

Mark 11:18 they feared him. The Jewish leaders correctly saw Jesus’ act as a challenge to their authority in the most sacred space in the world.

Mark 11:20 Mark reports that the disciples did not see the withered fig tree until the next morning. Matthew compresses the events of these two days into a single story (Matt. 21:18–22).

Mark 11:21 The withered fig tree represents God’s judgment on Israel (see note on vv. 13–14).

Mark 11:22–23 Moving a mountain was symbolic language for doing the seemingly impossible (compare Isa. 40:4; 54:10).

Mark 11:24–25 believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Some have misunderstood this to mean that if they pray for some specific request and have enough faith, then God will do whatever they ask. But while we must always trust in God’s power, we must also submit to his will (14:36). Those who trust God for the right things in the right way can have confidence that God will “supply every need . . . according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19; see also Rom. 8:28, 32).

Mark 11:28–33 by what authority. The question relates to the cleansing of the temple (vv. 15–19) but also to Jesus’ healing and teaching throughout his ministry, since he is neither a recognized priest nor an official interpreter of the law. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? This confession of ignorance by Jesus’ opponents demonstrates that they have no basis on which to judge his ministry.