Mark 11 · Albert Barnes
MARK CHAPTER 11. Verses 1-10. See this passage illustrated in Mt 21:1-16
What do ye, loosing the colt?. Or, why do ye do this? What authority have you for doing it?
See Barnes "Mt 21:18" and Mt 21:19-22 Verse 11. Into the temple. Not into the edifice properly called the temple, but into the courts which surrounded the principal edifice. Our Saviour, not being of the tribe of Levi, was not permitted to enter into the holy or most holy place; and when, therefore, it is said that he went into the temple, it is always to be understood of the courts surrounding the temple. See Mt 21:12. And when he had looked round about upon all. Having seen or examined everything. He saw the abominations and abuses which he afterwards corrected. It may be wondered at, that he did not at once correct them, instead of waiting to another day. But it may be observed that God is slow to anger, that he does not at once smite the guilty, but waits patiently before he rebukes and chastises. The eventide. The evening; the time after three o'clock, P.M. It is very probable that this was before sunset. The religious services of the temple closed, without the offering of the evening sacrifice, at three o'clock, P. M., and Jesus probably soon left the city.
Any vessel. Any vessel used in cooking, or connected with the sale of their articles or merchandise.
All the people was astonished. He became popular among them. The Pharisees saw that their authority was lessened, or destroyed. They were therefore envious of him, and sought his life. His doctrine. His teaching. He taught with power and authority so great that the multitudes were awed, and were constrained to obey.
Thou cursedst. To curse means to devote to destruction. This is the meaning here. It does not, in this place, imply blame; but simply that it should be destroyed.
Have faith in God. Literally, "Have the faith of God." This may mean, Have strong faith. or have confidence in God; a strong belief that he is able to accomplish things that appear most difficult with infinite ease, as the fig-tree was made to wither away by a word.
No Barnes text on this verse. Mt 7:7; Lu 11:9; 17:1; Joh 14:13; 15:7; 16:24 Jas 1:5,6
And when ye stand praying. When ye pray. It seems that the posture in prayer was sometimes standing and sometimes kneeling. God looks upon the heart rather than upon our position in worship; and if the heart be right, any posture may be proper. It cannot be doubted, however, that in private, in the family, and wherever it can be conveniently done, the kneeling posture is more proper, as expressing more humility and reverence, and more in accordance with Scripture examples, Compare Ps 95:6; 2 Ch 6:13; Da 6:10; Lu 22:41; Ac 7:60; 9:40. Yet a subject like this may be regarded as of too much consequence, and we should be careful that anxiety about a mere form should not exclude anxiety about a far more important matter--the state of the soul. Forgive, etc. See Barnes "Mt 6:12,15".