Mark 11 11

Mark 11:11 kjv

And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

Mark 11:11 nkjv

And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Mark 11:11 niv

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Mark 11:11 esv

And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Mark 11:11 nlt

So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

Mark 11 verses

Mark 11 11 Meaning

Mark 11:11 describes Jesus' initial entry into Jerusalem and His observation of the Temple on the Monday of what is traditionally known as Holy Week. Following His triumphal entry into the city, Jesus proceeds directly to the Temple courts. Instead of immediately initiating the cleansing action recorded for the next day, He scrutinizes everything within the Temple. The verse highlights the lateness of the hour, which prevents any immediate dramatic action, leading to His withdrawal to Bethany with His twelve disciples for the night. This quiet inspection signifies a preliminary assessment, an act of a sovereign reviewing His domain before exerting His authority, foreshadowing the cleansing and prophetic judgment to come.

Mark 11 11 Context

Mark 11:11 immediately follows Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on what is traditionally known as Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-10). This entry fulfills prophetic expectations of a humble king (Zech 9:9) yet is met with widespread acclamation from the crowd, recognizing Him as the Son of David. His destination, however, is not a royal palace, but the Temple, the heart of Jewish religious and national life. The quiet observation of the Temple, contrasting with the preceding public fanfare, sets a somber and investigative tone. This event occurs on Monday, the first full day Jesus spends in Jerusalem during the Passover week, just hours before He will return to the Temple the following day (Tuesday) to cleanse it and engage in further confrontations. Historically, during Passover, Jerusalem swelled with pilgrims, making the Temple a bustling, sometimes chaotic, center of activity and commerce. The priestly establishment had control, and their economic ventures within the Temple courts were prominent, becoming a source of contention for Jesus.

Mark 11 11 Word analysis

• And (καί, kai): This conjunction links the previous narrative (the triumphal entry) to Jesus' immediate actions upon arrival. It indicates a direct and consequential sequence: entering Jerusalem leads straight to the Temple.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous): The central figure. His name, derived from the Hebrew Yeshua (meaning "Yahweh saves"), signifies His identity as Savior. Here, He acts in His authoritative role, not merely as a visitor but as the rightful Lord approaching His house.
• entered (εἰσῆλθεν, eiselthen): An active verb emphasizing a deliberate, purposeful entry. It signifies His presence in His house, the Temple.
• Jerusalem (Ἱεροσόλυμα, Hierosolyma): The capital city, historically the City of David and the spiritual center of Judaism. Prophecy points to the Messiah coming to Jerusalem. It symbolizes both God's presence and, tragically, its rejection of God's messengers.
• into the temple (εἰς τὸ ἱερόν, eis to hieron): "Hierón" refers to the entire temple complex or precinct, including the outer courts, colonnades, and administrative areas, not just the inner sanctuary (naos). Jesus' focus is on the activities and conduct within the common areas, which were open to all, including the Court of the Gentiles, where commercial transactions often occurred. This is the realm where corrupt practices were visible.
• And when He had looked around (καὶ περιβλεψάμενος, kai periblepsamenos): This Greek participle, from periblepō, means "to look about carefully, survey, scrutinize." It is more than a casual glance; it implies a deliberate, searching gaze, suggesting evaluation or assessment. This specific term in Mark often signals a significant moment or Jesus' reaction to His surroundings or people (e.g., Mk 3:5, 3:34, 5:32, 10:23). It conveys deep observation and precedes a judgmental or significant action.
• at everything (πάντα, panta): Literally "all things." This amplifies the comprehensive nature of His gaze. He is taking in the full picture of the Temple's state—its operations, the activities within it, its physical condition, and likely, its spiritual health or lack thereof. This thorough scrutiny sets the stage for the drastic action on the next day.
• the hour being already late (ὀψίας ἤδη οὔσης τῆς ὥρας, opsias ēdē ousēs tēs hōras): Opsia denotes evening, after the ninth hour (3 PM), leading towards sundown. The phrase indicates that it was too late in the day for immediate action such as cleansing or extended teaching. It emphasizes the timing, suggesting that direct intervention was reserved for the next day, establishing a deliberate pause.
• He went out to Bethany (ἐξῆλθεν εἰς Βηθανίαν, exēlthen eis Bēthanian): Bethany, located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, about two miles from Jerusalem, was a village known to Jesus. It was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It served as a tranquil retreat, a place of rest and fellowship away from the tumult and spiritual corruption of Jerusalem.
• with the twelve (μετὰ τῶν δώδεκα, meta tōn dōdeka): Underscores Jesus' companionship with His chosen apostles, the foundation of His new spiritual Israel. Their presence implies their participation in witnessing His assessment and withdrawal, and later, His actions and teachings. It signifies the community that travels with Him on this critical journey.

Mark 11 11 Bonus section

The Markan account of the Temple inspection is notably brief and emphasizes Jesus' quiet, deliberate observation (the unique "periblepsamenos panta") before His action. This contrasts slightly with Matthew's account, which implies immediate cleansing upon arrival, though not explicitly ruling out a preceding observation. Mark separates the triumphal entry, the Temple inspection (Day 1, Monday), the fig tree cursing, and the Temple cleansing (Day 2, Tuesday). This structuring highlights a critical incubation period between observation and decisive action, building suspense and emphasizing Jesus' intentionality and sober assessment. It also underscores that Jesus is entering His true "home" but finds it gravely out of order, necessitating a careful review before reformative or punitive action. This calm inspection is an act of prophetic witness and priestly audit before judgment is carried out.

Mark 11 11 Commentary

Mark 11:11 acts as a dramatic pause after the jubilant Triumphal Entry. It highlights Jesus' deep discernment. Instead of reacting emotionally to the Temple's corruption, He performs a calm, thorough inspection, "looking around at everything." This meticulous observation signifies the sovereign's rightful claim and critical appraisal of His own house, which has been defiled. The lateness of the hour prevents immediate action, creating anticipation for what will unfold. His withdrawal to Bethany with the disciples emphasizes His humanity and need for rest, while also subtly distinguishing Him from the chaotic spirit of Jerusalem. The passage paints a picture of deliberate planning and righteous indignation simmering, rather than impulsive anger, setting the stage for the prophetic act of Temple cleansing and teaching on the subsequent day. It exemplifies the principle of careful assessment preceding decisive action, as a judge reviews evidence before rendering a verdict.