Mark – Chapter 11

New Testament33 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And when they were drawing near to Jerusalem and to Bethania, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples," — so begins Mark 11. The chapter centers on John, David and Peter. Across its 33 verses, two threads run through the text: prayer and God's mercy and forgiveness. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And when they were drawing near to Jerusalem and to Bethania, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples,

2And saith to them: Go into the village that is over against you, and immediately at your coming in thither, you shall find a colt tied, upon which no man yet hath sat. Loose him and bring him.

3And if any man shall say to you: What are you doing? Say ye that the Lord hath need of him. And immediately he will let him come hither.

4And going their way, they found the colt tied before the gate without, in the meeting of two ways. And they loose him.

5And some of them that stood there said to them: What do you loosing the colt?

6Who said to them as Jesus had commanded them. And they let him go with them.

7And they brought the colt to Jesus. And they lay their garments on him: and he sat upon him.

8And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down boughs from the trees and strewed them in the way.

9And they that went before and they that followed cried, saying: Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

10Blessed be the kingdom of our father David that cometh: Hosanna in the highest.

11And he entered into Jerusalem, into the temple: and having viewed all things round about, when now the eventide was come, he went out to Bethania with the twelve.

12And the next day when they came out from Bethania, he was hungry.

13And when he had seen afar off a fig tree having leaves, he came, if perhaps he might find any thing on it. And when he was come to it, he found nothing but leaves. For it was not the time for figs.

14And answering he said to it: May no man hereafter eat fruit of thee any more for ever! And his disciples heard it.

15And they came to Jerusalem. And when he was entered into the temple, he began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple: and over threw the tables of the moneychangers and the chairs of them that sold doves.

16And he suffered not that any man should carry a vessel through the temple.

17And he taught, saying to them: Is it not written: My house shall be called the house of prayer to all nations, but you have made it a den of thieves.

18Which when the chief priests and the scribes had heard, they sought how they might destroy him. For they feared him, because the whole multitude was in admiration at his doctrine.

19And when evening was come, he went forth out of the city.

20And when they passed by in the morning they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

21And Peter remembering, said to him: Rabbi, behold the fig tree which thou didst curse is withered away.

22And Jesus answering, saith to them: Have the faith of God.

23Amen I say to you that whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed and be cast into the sea, and shall not stagger in his heart, but be believe that whatsoever he saith shall be done; it shall be done unto him.

24Therefore I say unto you, all things, whatsoever you ask when ye pray, believe that you shall receive: and they shall come unto you.

25And when you shall stand to pray, forgive, if you have aught against any man: that your Father also, who is in heaven, may forgive you your sins.

26But if you will not forgive, neither will your father that is in heaven forgive you your sins.

27And they come again to Jerusalem. And when he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests and the scribes and the ancients.

28And they say to him: By what authority dost thou these things? And who hath given thee this authority that thou shouldst do these things?

29And Jesus answering, said to them: I will also ask you one word. And answer you me: and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

30The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men? Answer me.

31But they thought with themselves, saying: If we say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him?

32If we say, From men, we fear the people. For all men counted John that he was a prophet indeed.

33And they answering, say to Jesus: We know not. And Jesus answering, saith to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Important Verses in Mark 11

And when they were drawing near to Jerusalem and to Bethania, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples,

Mark 11:1

And they that went before and they that followed cried, saying: Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Mark 11:9

And Jesus answering, saith to them: Have the faith of God.

Mark 11:22

And when you shall stand to pray, forgive, if you have aught against any man: that your Father also, who is in heaven, may forgive you your sins.

Mark 11:25

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, Mark was written with persecuted Christians in Rome, strengthened to follow the crucified Lord in view. Chapter 11 of 16 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 33 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on John, David and Peter, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "And when they were drawing near to Jerusalem and to Bethania, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples," The final verse reads: "And they answering, say to Jesus: We know not. And Jesus answering, saith to them: Neither do I tell you by what…" The wider setting of Mark is this: The earliest and shortest Gospel moves with urgency—'immediately' is its favorite word—presenting Jesus as the Son of God revealed above all on the Cross. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 65-70, probably in Rome.

Who Wrote It

John Mark, companion of Peter and Paul; early tradition calls him Peter's interpreter

When It Was Written

About AD 65-70, probably in Rome

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Mark 11 presents a concrete episode in the history of Jesus as the suffering Servant and Son of God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And when they were drawing near to Jerusalem and to Bethania, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples," The passage repeatedly touches on prayer and petition to God.

Catholic exegesis reads Mark 11 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Mark emphasizes the mystery of Christ's identity (CIC 515). St. John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 133).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that The Son of Man came to serve and give His life as a ransom. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Mark 11 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.
  • God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

People in This Chapter

John2 mentionsDavid1 mentionPeter1 mention

Reflection for Today

Mark Chapter 11, containing 33 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 133). Here the emphasis falls on the Eucharist as source and summit, which shapes how the Church understands Jesus as the suffering Servant and Son of God.

As you continue through Mark, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mark Chapter 11 about?

Mark 11 contains 33 verses. It opens with "And when they were drawing near to Jerusalem and to Bethania, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples," and closes with "And they answering, say to Jesus: We know not. And Jesus answering, saith to them: Neither do I tell you by what…". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Mark 11?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And when they were drawing near to Jerusalem and to Bethania, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Mark Chapter 11?

This chapter mentions John, David, Peter.

Who wrote Mark and when?

John Mark, companion of Peter and Paul; early tradition calls him Peter's interpreter. About AD 65-70, probably in Rome.

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