Mark 11

Jesus Enters Jerusalem as a King

1 As Jesus and his followers were coming closer to Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives. From there Jesus sent two of his followers2 and said to them, “Go to the town you can see there. When you enter it, you will quickly find a colt tied, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here to me.

3 If anyone asks you why you are doing this, tell him its Master needs the colt, and he will send it at once.”
4 The followers went into the town, found a colt tied in the street near the door of a house, and untied it.5 Some people were standing there and asked, “What are you doing? Why are you untying that colt?”

6 The followers answered the way Jesus told them to answer, and the people let them take the colt.
7 They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it, and Jesus sat on it.8 Many people spread their coats on the road. Others cut branches in the fields and spread them on the road.

9 The people were walking ahead of Jesus and behind him, shouting,
“Praise God!
God bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord! t

10 God bless the kingdom of our father David! That kingdom is coming!
Praise 

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After he had looked at everything, since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve apostles.
12 The next day as Jesus was leaving Bethany, he became hungry.13 Seeing a fig tree in leaf from far away, he went to see if it had any figs on it. But he found no figs, only leaves, because it was not the right season for figs.

14 So Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And Jesus’ followers heard him say this.

Jesus Goes to the Temple

15 When Jesus returned to Jerusalem, he went into the Temple and began to throw out those who were buying and selling there. He turned over the tables of those who were exchanging different kinds of money, and he upset the benches of those who were selling doves.16 Jesus refused to allow anyone to carry goods through the Temple courts.17 Then he taught the people, saying, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘My Temple will be called a house for prayer for people from all nations.’ 18 The leading priests and the teachers of the law heard all this and began trying to find a way to kill Jesus. They were afraid of him, because all the people were amazed at his teaching.19 That evening, Jesus and his followers 

The Power of Faith

20 The next morning as Jesus was passing by with his followers, they saw the fig tree dry and dead, even to the roots.

21 Peter remembered the tree and said to Jesus, “Teacher, look! The fig tree you cursed is dry and dead!”
22 Jesus answered, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, fall into the sea.’ And if you have no doubts in your mind and believe that what you say will happen, God will do it for you. 24 So I tell you to believe that you have received the things you ask for in prayer, and God will give them to you. 25 When you are praying, if you are angry with someone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins. [26 But if you don’t forgive other people, then your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.]” 

Leaders Doubt Jesus’ Authority

27 Jesus and his followers went again to Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders came to him.

28 They said to him, “What authority do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
29 Jesus answered, “I will ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you what authority I have to do these things.

30 Tell me: When John baptized people, was that authority from God or just from other people?”
31 They argued about Jesus’ question, saying, “If we answer, ‘John’s baptism was from God,’ Jesus will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’

32 But if we say, ‘It was from other people,’ the crowd will be against us.” (These leaders were afraid of the people, because all the people believed that John was a prophet.)

33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said to them, “Then I won’t tell you what authority I have to do these things.”

Mark 11

1 And when they draw nigh unto Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples,2 and saith unto them, Go your way into the village that is over against you: and straightway as ye enter into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat; loose him, and bring him.3 And if any one say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye, The Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him back hither.4 And they went away, and found a colt tied at the door without in the open street; 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 said: and they let them go.7 And they bring the colt unto Jesus, and cast on him their garments; and he sat upon him.8 And many spread their garments upon the way; and others branches, which they had cut from the fields.9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:10 Blessed is the kingdom that cometh, the kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest.11 And he entered into Jerusalem, into the temple; and when he had looked round about upon all things, it being now eventide, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.12 And on the morrow, when they were come out from Bethany, he hungered.13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs.14 And he answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And his disciples heard it.15 And they come to Jerusalem: and he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and them that bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves;16 and he would not suffer that any man should carry a vessel through the temple.17 And he taught, and said unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? but ye have made it a den of robbers.18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.19 And every evening he went forth out of the city.20 And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.23 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it.24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.25 And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father who 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 they said unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? or who gave thee this authority to do these things?29 And Jesus said unto them, I will 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 from 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 should we say, From men--they feared the people: for all verily held John to be a prophet.33 And they answered Jesus and say, We know not. And Jesus saith unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.