Mark's Gospel: Chapter 11
If we say from men, everyone will reject us because they believe that John was a true prophet.
Key words
- In season: If fruit and vegetables are in season, they are being produced in the area and are available and ready to eat
Fruit is cheaper when it's in season.
- Drive out: to force someone or something to go somewhere or do something
They used dogs to drive out the thieves.
- Den: a place where people secretly plan or take part in dishonest or illegal activities
The police ran an illegal gambling den.
- Withered: dry and decaying
The flowers withered after a few days.
- Hold something against someone: to consider something as a reason to have a bad opinion about someone or something
He made a mistake, but I don’t hold it against him – we all make mistakes.
Read the article to find the answers
- What did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on?
- What did Jesus accuse the people of doing to the temple?
- What did Jesus say would happen if you didn't forgive people?
- Why didn't Jesus answer the priest's question?
Jesus enters Jerusalem
As they approached Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of His disciples ahead of Him.
He said to them:
"Go into the village opposite you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there. Untie it and bring it to me."
The disciples went and found the donkey just as Jesus had told them. They brought the donkey to Jesus and He rode it into Jerusalem. Many people spread their coats on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields.
They sang:
"Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. He looked around at everything, and went back out to Bethany with his twelve disciples for the evening. The next day, as they were leaving, Jesus was hungry. He went to a fig tree, but found nothing but leaves because figs were not in season. Then He said to the tree:
"No man will ever eat your fruit again."
Then Jesus entered the temple and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple saying:
"Is it not written: My house will be called the house of prayer by all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves."
The chief priests heard this and began looking for a way to kill him.
Jesus teaches the importance of having faith in prayer
In the morning, as they were returning to Jerusalem, His disciples saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Jesus told them:
"Have faith in God. I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you. But if you do not forgive, your Father who is in heaven will not forgive you."
Jesus outwits the priests
In Jerusalem, while Jesus was walking in the temple, the chief priests came and asked Him who gave Him the authority to do what He was doing. Jesus replied:
"I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. The baptism of John - was it from heaven, or a man? Answer me!"
They told Him that they couldn't tell, so Jesus said:
"Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- Do you know the Bible passage quoted at the top of this article?
- Are the temples, shrines and churches near you places of prayer or business?
- Have you ever been outwitted?