Bible Study of the Gospel of Mark: Chapter 11

Observe the text to understand the author’s meaning:

This is a chapter dealing with Jesus’ authority. Notice how that is developed.

Read 11:1-10. Jesus set out for Jerusalem in Mark 10:1. It has taken him one chapter to reach his destination. On the road to Jerusalem, he gave teachings on the kingdom laws(10:1-24), who will enter the kingdom(10:25-31), what leadership in the kingdom will be like (10:32-45), and Jesus demonstrates his ability to give sight to those who wish to follow him as the king of the kingdom.

Now, Jesus nears the “capital” of the kingdom, Jerusalem. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is in fulfillment of prophecy. Read Zechariah 9:9-17. Who is it that is entering Jerusalem according to Zechariah? What will he do for his people? What is his relationship to the people in Zech 9:16? Do you see this as a coronation of the King?

The term, “blood of My covenant” found in Zech 9:11, is mentioned five times in Scripture–Ex 24:8 when the covenant is ratified, Zech 9:16, and Mark 14:24, Matt 26:28, (Luke words it slightly differently) and Hebrews 9:20. The one who is King will offer his blood to ratify the covenant.

Read Psalm 118:22-26. “Hosanna” is a transliteration of Ps 118:25, “do save, we beseech Thee.” “Transliteration” means the Hebrew word was left untranslated in the Greek NT. Like “Hallelujah” which is Hebrew for “praise God,” “Hosanna” is Hebrew for “we beseech thee save us.” Who is in control of the events in vs 1-10? Can you put Mark 11:9-10 in your own words using the meaning of “hosanna,” the phrase “in the name of the Lord” and “coming Kingdom of our father David.” Who is coming and what will he do?

The word, “Come” is used twice in vs 9-10, who and what is coming?

Why do you think the owner gave Jesus the colt? Who ultimately owned it?

Read 11:11. As soon as Jesus comes to Jerusalem, he goes to the temple. Why? Read the prophecy in Malachi 3:1.

Where is the messenger of the covenant, to suddenly come? Notice Malachi says, “He is coming” and vs 9 said, “Blessed is he who comes.” What is the messenger of the covenant going to do when he comes?

Read 11:12-14. Tell in your own words what happens here. (The story continues later in the chapter)

Read 11: 15-19. After spending the night in Bethany, Jesus returns now to Jerusalem. Where does he go? What does Jesus find there? Read Isaiah 56:6. What was the temple to be used for?

Read Jeremiah 7:1-11. What was going on in the temple and in the lives of the people according to Jeremiah. Although Jeremiah was written before the exile of the Southern Kingdom, Jesus quotes it to show the application to his day. Why were the business dealings going on in the temple? What were the doves used for? See Lev 1:14,5:7, 11. Can you speculate on what was happening? Who was getting rich?

What was the effect on the people who were coming to have atonement made for their sins? Do you see that money changers were in effect keeping people from receiving God’s forgiveness? What is the response of the scribes and pharisees to Jesus casting out those who are buying and selling in the temple? Why?

We are often told in Scripture to “fear God” what is the difference between that fear and the fear of the scribes and chief priests?

Read 11:20-26. Jesus again talks about the fig tree. Then in vs 27 he is back to the temple. The sequence is:

• vs11 Temple: Jesus comes to the temple and looks around
• vs12-14 Fig: Jesus looks for fruit on the fig and finding none curses the tree for its unfruitfulness
• vs15-19 Temple: Jesus casts out those who are turning the temple into a robbers den
• vs 20-26 Fig: Jesus explains his authority which extends to the disciples
• vs 27-33 Temple: Jesus is back in the temple teaching about his authority.

Do you see any common theme between the passages? Is the common theme perhaps the issue of Jesus authority? He has authority over nature to wither a fig tree, over the temple to cast out money changes from “My House,” to assure the disciples their prayers can move mountains. Comments?

There is also an element of judgment in the withering of the fig tree. The tree that does not bear fruit is rejected. The scribes and pharisees who are not bearing fruit in terms of redeemed lives for God are rejected. See Jeremiah 8:13.

Because of Judah’s unfaithfulness which is described beginning in Jer 7:1ff, God will render judgment. This is also an affirmation that God will do what God says he will do. God’s judgment, which has been prophesied, will happen just as it was foretold.

In vs 20-24, in response to the disciples’ observation that the fig tree has withered according to Jesus’ command, Jesus explains that the disciples have that same authority. Where does that authority come from? Who has authority to move mountains?

Do you see this as God delegating his authority to those who believe in him and use that authority consistently with God’s own being. God will not tolerate an abuse of his legitimate authority by us or nature–the fig tree was created to produce figs, when it failed, it was judged. Nature is under God’s authority and so are people.

If our prayers acknowledge God’s authority and allow us to receive that authority, what is the requirement that Jesus gives about prayer? According to these verses what two things are mentioned which we are required to do in order for God to act?

Earlier, we learned in chapter 2 that only God has the authority to forgive sins. Do you see this as God delegating his authority to us? Are we to forgive everyone, everything? Who are we limited in forgiving?

Can you speculate on why it makes sense for Mark to talk about forgiveness in this section? Do you see this as the way we acknowledge God’s absolute authority and power? Does our forgiving someone who has injured us make sense if God does not possess absolute authority and power?

Read 11:27-33. Where does Jesus return to? Who comes to him?

In this chapter on authority, by Mark focusing on Jesus being in the temple, the focus is on Jesus’ relationship to the Father, and his authority which is from the Father.

The climax of the chapter is the chief priest, scribes and elders asking directly, where does your authority come from? Does their question show that in fact they do acknowledge that Jesus possesses authority?

Where are the only two places authority can come from? Can you give an example of each?

If Jesus had said, “From God” can you speculate on what the religious leaders would have said? What did Jesus accomplish by giving the answer that he did? If there were multitudes listening, what do you think they were saying in their own minds? How would they view the religious leaders afterward? Do you see the religious leaders being threatened by Jesus because he exposes their rebellion against God and allows the multitudes to see the corruption of their leaders?

Interpretation of the Text

1. What does this chapter tell us about who Jesus is? His relationship to God? His authority and power? His relationship to the scribes and pharisees?

2. What does this chapter tell us about Jesus’ kingship in terms of power and authority? pomp and circumstance? worldly and spiritual?

Is Jesus’ authority over the material and spiritual world or just the spiritual? Do you see Jesus clearly “in charge” in this chapter? Do you see his actions of confronting the evil in the temple in Jerusalem as directly leading to the cross?

3. What does this chapter tell us about the human heart when confronted with Jesus? Does everyone follow him? Who does not? Who does? What is so problematic about the rebellion of the religious leaders in terms of the people? Do they possess authority from God? Who does possess authority from God?

4. What does it mean when God gives us his authority? How is it to be used? for whom? to do what?

Bible Study Notes

Mark 11:1-10. Some have said that it was the custom of kings to enter battle on a horse but to come in peace on a donkey. Calvin suggests another interpretation, that Jesus came in poverty, with common people showing their allegiance with leafy branches as almost a mockery of earthly pomp and circumstance. Christ’s kingship would not be the outward pomp of the scribes and pharisees or for that matter what the disciples still were looking for in chapter 10. Instead, his kingdom shows the power and authority of a kingdom that does not seek human pomp and circumstance. Comments?

Mark 11:15-19. People were to come to the temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices for their sins. Since some people came a great distance, they bought their animals at the temple. Also, the priests were in charge of inspecting the animals to make sure they were without blemish. If they found a blemish the animal was not suitable for sacrifice and the person could purchase another one from the priests. Pretty good deal for the priests!

Calvin notes that while Jesus is often in the temple in Matthew, in Mark, this is the only time he is in the temple. It is a culmination of his life and journey. Calvin explains that Jesus’ cleansing of the temple testifies “to himself as king and high priest who presides over the temple and worship of God.”

This study first appeared in Theology Matters, Vol. 2, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 1996).