Mark 11

“Whatever increases pride, and an attachment to the world, must enhance the difficulty of a man’s embracing the gospel. Few can possess riches without loving them and trusting in them; and it is extremely difficult to break the strong bands, which hold a carnal mind to large possessions. So that Jesus speaks to us ‘as to children,’ when he reminds us, ‘How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of heaven!’ And instead of expressing our astonishment, or indulging our speculations, let us learn contentment in a low estate: or if a higher be allotted us, let us watch against confidence in riches, and the love of them, or any thing that can be purchased with them. Let us pray to be enabled to

Notes on the verses

Chap. XI. Ver. 1-11. And when they came nigh, &c.—The parallel text of Matthew occurs Chap. xxi. 16. _ ‘The limits of Bethany reached to the mount of Olives, and joined to those of Bethphage, which reached from the mount to the walls of the city. Ver. 3. And straightway he will send him.—An evidence of the Lord’s omniscience and power over the hearts and wills of men. Ver. 8. Branches off the trees.—It is probable, from different kinds of trees. John, (Mark 12:13), mentions “palm trees.” The late Mr. David Levi gives an extract from the Talmud, which mentions that at the feast of Tabernacles they carried branches of willow, and cried “Hosanna!” and the willows thus employed were called Hoshanuth.—Lingua Sacra, in Oreb.

Morier, in his travels through Persia, mentions the scattering of rose leaves, and Harmer conceives they might make a part of this ceremony. Ver. 11. And now the even-tide was come, &c.—Our Lord and his disciples went to lodge at Bethany—probably at the house of Lazarus. Ver. 12—14. And on the morrow—(That is, ‘Next morning’) when they were come from Bethany, &c. Ver. 13. If haply—That is, if it might so happen.—For the time of figs was not yet—i.e. of gathering figs; Campbell, “The fig-harvest,” So we use the terms “hay-time, or hay-harvest, hopping-time,” &c. ‘This was the season to expect fruit. [This declaration, as Dr. Campbell observes, “cannot be the reason why there was nothing but leaves on the tree; for the fig is of that class of vegetables wherein the fruit appears before the leaf.

But if the words be read as a parenthesis, the aforesaid declaration will be the reason of what immediately preceded, that is, of our Lord’s looking for fruit on the tree. The leaves showed that the figs should not only be formed but well advanced; and the season of reaping being not yet come removed all suspicion that they had been gathered.”]—Bagster. Ver. 20. And in the morning, &c.—[St. Matthew informs us that this tree grew by the way-side: and was therefore not private, but public property; so that the destruction of it really injured no one.—Our Lord was pleased to make use of this miracle to prefigure the speedy ruin of the Jewish nation, on account of its unfruitfulness under greater advantages than any other people enjoyed at that day; and, like all the rest of his miracles, it was done with a gracious intention—to alarm his countrymen, and induce them to repent.

]—Bagster. ‘The passage parallel to this is (Matthew 21:19-22). Ver. 23. Be thou removed, &c.—[This appears to have been a proverbial form of speech, to signify the removing or conquering great difficulties. A rooter up of mountains, was a common epithet applied to any Rabbin who was an eminent and learned man.]—Bagster. Ver. 27—33. And they come again to Jerusalem, &c.—Parallel text, (Matthew 21:23-27). Ver. 32. All men counted John, that he was a prophet.—Compare chapter vi. 20. ‘