Mark 11:1-11, The Triumphal Entry

[Chapters 11 & 12 are the Jerusalem days. Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem is a deliberately staged demonstration full of symbolic actions designed for maximum impact upon the suspicious Jewish authorities.]

¹ Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany [the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary and a suburb of Jerusalem separated from the city by the steep Kidron Valley], at the Mount of Olives [King David presumably rode a donkey over the Mount of Olives when he departed Jerusalem during the rebellion of Absalom and this is to remind the people of David’s rightful return (2 Samuel 16:1-2)], Jesus sent two of his disciples ² and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. ³ If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord [an interesting and unique title Jesus uses for himself, which normally means “God”] has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” [It was the right of royalty and Rabbis to be able to commandeer an animal for their immediate use—a right that follows from his use of the title “The Lord.” The disciples’ statement would therefore mean “it is needed for divine service.” These two are on a mission of faith, traveling together as Christians are to do and never alone. The only one who goes it alone is Jesus on the cross.] ⁴ And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. ⁵ And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” ⁶ And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. ⁷ And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. [Jesus enters Jerusalem on a humble, gentle donkey and not on a warhorse as many would expect their Messiah to ride.] ⁸ And many [the very great crowd of Passover pilgrims] spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. [This “red carpet” treatment was reserved for great dignitaries. Jesus does not rebuke this generous show of love and respect, just as he did not rebuke Mary for anointing his feet.] ⁹ And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! [“save us” from Psalm 118:25] Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! [Psalm 118:26] ¹⁰ Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” [This is the end of the Hallel “Praise” Psalms (113-118) that the pilgrims would chant ascending to the Jerusalem temple at all the great festivals. Apparently David wrote these psalms written to be used for Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the temple.]

¹¹ And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. [God had been absent from the temple for centuries, and now he returns in person in the flesh.] And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. [Mark’s account differs from Matthew and Luke as each writer brings his own perspective. Why did Jesus stay in Bethany and not in the city? Perhaps it is symbolic that the Messiah sleeps elsewhere.]