Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 11
Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary
Mark 11
Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)
The approach to Jerusalem was through Bethany and Bethphage. Bethphage (“house of figs”) was a village close to Jerusalem; Bethany, located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, was about two miles from Jerusalem (cf. Jn 11:18). The Mount of Olives is directly east of the city, rising to an elevation of about twenty-six hundred feet.
Jesus sent two of his disciples, probably to Bethphage, to get a donkey colt (cf. Matthew 21:2). Because of the prophecy of Zec 9:9, the donkey was considered the beast of the Messiah. Jesus stipulated that the colt must be an unused one. Such animals were regarded as especially suitable for sacred purposes (cf. Numbers 19:2; 1 Samuel 6:7).
"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)
The approach to Jerusalem was through Bethany and Bethphage. Bethphage (“house of figs”) was a village close to Jerusalem; Bethany, located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, was about two miles from Jerusalem (cf. Jn 11:18). The Mount of Olives is directly east of the city, rising to an elevation of about twenty-six hundred feet.
Jesus sent two of his disciples, probably to Bethphage, to get a donkey colt (cf. Matthew 21:2). Because of the prophecy of Zec 9:9, the donkey was considered the beast of the Messiah. Jesus stipulated that the colt must be an unused one. Such animals were regarded as especially suitable for sacred purposes (cf. Numbers 19:2; 1 Samuel 6:7).
"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." — Mark 11:3 (ASV)
Jesus anticipated that the actions of the disciples might be questioned, so he instructed them how to answer when asked why they were taking the colt. By capitalizing “Lord” (GK 3261), NIV has interpreted the passage to mean that Jesus was referring to himself—the other option is to translate the Greek word used here as “owner..” Jesus probably was well known by this time in the area around Bethany, and his authority as “Lord” was recognized.
"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)
The disciples found the colt as Jesus had told them and carried out his orders to the letter. The people (the owners? see Lk 19:33) did not object to the disciples’ taking the colt because apparently they knew Jesus and recognized his authority.
"And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?" — Mark 11:5 (ASV)
The disciples found the colt as Jesus had told them and carried out his orders to the letter. The people (the owners? see Lk 19:33) did not object to the disciples’ taking the colt because apparently they knew Jesus and recognized his authority.
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