Mark 11

Mark 11 is the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It primarily details Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, his cursing of the fig tree, and the cleansing of the Temple.

Content Summary:

• Triumphal Entry: Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a colt. The crowds spread cloaks and leafy branches on the road, hailing him as the one coming in the name of the Lord, and as the King of Israel.

• The Cursing of the Fig Tree: Jesus, being hungry, approaches a fig tree looking for fruit. Finding none, since it was not the season for figs, he curses the tree, stating that no one will ever eat fruit from it again. This act is often interpreted as a symbolic representation of judgment on those who appear outwardly religious but lack genuine faith and fruitfulness.

• The Cleansing of the Temple: Jesus enters the Temple in Jerusalem and overturns the tables of the money changers and those selling doves, disrupting their business. He condemns their actions, stating that the Temple should be a house of prayer for all nations, but they have turned it into a den of robbers.

• Authority Challenged: After the cleansing of the Temple, the chief priests, scribes, and elders question Jesus's authority for performing these actions. Jesus responds by asking them about the authority of John the Baptist. They are unable to answer him directly out of fear of the crowd. Jesus, in turn, refuses to answer their question about his own authority.