Charles Ellicott Commentary Mark 11
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Mark 11
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Mark 11
"And when they draw nigh unto Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples," — Mark 11:1 (ASV)
Unto Bethphage and Bethany.—The better manuscripts give “Bethany” only.
"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." — Mark 11:2 (ASV)
A colt tied.—St. Mark, with St. Luke and St. John, omits the mention of the “she-ass” bound with the colt, on which St. Matthew lays stress as a literal fulfilment of Zechariah 9:9.
Whereon never man sat.—The fact is mentioned by St. Mark and St. Luke only.
"And they went away, and found a colt tied at the door without in the open street; and they loose him." — Mark 11:4 (ASV)
Without in a place where two ways met.—Each touch is characteristic of Saint Mark, and implies personal observation on the part of his informant. The colt was at the door—outside, not inside, the courtyard; it was not at “a place,” but at “the place,” as we speak of “the cross-roads,” where two ways met.
"And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?" — Mark 11:5 (ASV)
And certain of them that stood there.—This again, though perhaps implied in our Lord’s words, is not reported by St. Matthew.
"And many spread their garments upon the way; and others branches, which they had cut from the fields." — Mark 11:8 (ASV)
Branches off the trees.—The Greek word for “branches” is used by Saint Mark only. It describes the leafy boughs forming, as they were thrown down, a kind of litter or matting, rather than the woody branches.
Off the trees.—The better manuscripts give “from the fields,” a reading which, perhaps, agrees better with the account of the “branches” given in the preceding Note.
And strawed them in the way.—Omitted in the better manuscripts.
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