Vincent's Word Studies And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. Colt
Only Matthew adds the ass. Mark and Luke have colt only. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. In a place where two ways met (ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀμφόδου)
Ἄμφοδον is literally any road which leads round (ἀμφί) a place or a block of buildings. Hence the winding way. The word occurs only here in the New Testament. Rev., in the open street, which in an Eastern town is usually crooked. Perhaps, by contrast with the usual crookedness, the street in Damascus where Paul lodged was called Straight (Acts 9:11). "It is a topographical note," says Dr. Morison, "that could only be given by an eye-witness." The detail of Mark 11:4 is peculiar to Mark. According to Luke (Luke 22:8), Peter was one of those sent, and his stamp is probably on the narrative. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.
And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. In the way
Both Matthew and Luke have ἐν, in; but Mark, εἰς, into. They threw their garments into the way and spread them there. Branches Matthew, Hark, and John use each a different word for branches. Matthew, κλάδους, from κλάω, to break; hence a young slip or shoot, such as is broken off for grafting - a twig, as related to a branch. Mark, στιβάδας, from στείβω, to tread or beat down; hence a mass of straw, rushes, or leaves beaten together or strewed loose, so as to form a bed or a carpeted way. A litter of branches and leaves cut from the fields (only Mark) near by. John, βαΐ́α, strictly palm-branches, the feathery fronds forming the tufted crown of the tree. Hosanna Meaning, O save! And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
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. When he had looked round
Peculiar to Mark. As the master of the house, inspecting. "A look serious, sorrowful, judicial" (Meyer). Compare Mark 3:5, Mark 3:34. And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. Afar off
Peculiar to Mark. Having leaves An unusual thing at that early season. If haply (εἰ ἄρα) If, such being the case, i.e., the tree having leaves - he might find fruit, which, in the fig, precedes the leaf. Mark alone adds, "for the time of figs was not yet." And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. His disciples heard it
Peculiar to Mark. And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; Money-changers (κολλυβιστῶν)
Another unclassical word, but used also by Matthew. "Such words as these might naturally find their place in the mongrel Greek of the slaves and freedmen who formed the first congregations of the church in Rome" (Ezra Abbott, Art. "Gospels," in Encyc. Britannica). See on Matthew 21:12. And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. Vessel (σκεῦος)
See on Matthew 12:29; and Mark 3:27. Temple (ἱροῦ) See on Matthew 4:5. The temple enclosure, not the ναός, or sanctuary. People would be tempted to carry vessels, etc., through this, in order to save a long circuit. The court of the Gentiles, moreover, was not regarded by the Jews as entitled to the respect due to the other part of the enclosure. This our Lord rebukes. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. Of all nations
Which rendering implies, shall be called by all nations. But render with Rev., a house of prayer for all the nations (πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν). Thieves (λῃστῶν) Rev., correctly, robbers. See on Matthew 21:13; and Matthew 26:55; and John 10:1, John 10:8. From ληίς or λεία, booty. In classical usage mostly of cattle. The robber, conducting his operations on a large and systematic scale, and with the aid of bands, is thus to be distinguished from the κλέπτης, or thief who purloins or pilfers whatever comes to hand. A den would be appropriate to a band of robbers, not to thieves. Thus the traveller to Jericho, in Christ's parable (Luke 10:30), fell among robbers, not thieves. And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
And when even was come, he went out of the city. When evening was come (ὅταν)
Lit., whenever evening came on; not on the evening of the purging of the temple merely, but each day at evening. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Shall come to pass (γίνεται)
Rather cometh to pass, as Rev. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Receive (ἐλάβετε)
More lit., received. Rev., have received. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Trespasses
See on Matthew 6:14. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, Walking
An addition of Mark. And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]. Text Courtesy of Internet Sacred Texts Archive. Bible Hub |
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