Mark 11:1-6
CHAPTER XI. Christ rides triumphantly into Jerusalem, 1-11. The barren fig tree cursed, 12-14. He cleanses the temple, 15-17. The scribes and chief priests are enraged, 18. Reflections on the withered fig tree, 19-23. Directions concerning prayer and forgiveness, 24-26. The chief priests, &c., question him by what authority he did his works, 27, 28. He answers, and confounds them, 29-33. NOTES ON CHAP. XI. Verse 1. He sendeth-two of his disciples] This was done but a few days before the passover. See our Lord's entry into Jerusalem illustrated, on Mt 21:1-17. Verse 2. Whereon never man sat] No animal was allowed to be employed in sacred uses, even among the heathen, that had previously been used for any domestic or agricultural purpose; and those which had never been yoked were considered as sacred. See several proofs of this in the note on Nu 19:2, and add this from Ovid:- Bos tibi, Phoebus ait, solis occurret in arvis, Nullum passa jugum curvique immunis aratri. Met. lib. iii. v. 10. The Delphic oracles this answer give:- Behold among the fields a lonely cow, Unworn with yokes, unbroken to the plough. Verse 3. And straightway he will send him hither.] From the text, I think it is exceedingly plain, that our Lord did not beg, but borrow, the colt; therefore the latter clause of this verse should be understood as the promise of returning him. Is not the proper translation the following? And if any one say to you, Why do ye this? Say, the Lord hath need of him, and will speedily send him back hither-καιευθεωςαυτοναποστελλειωδε. Some eminent critics take the same view of the passage. Verse 6. And they let them go.] Having a full assurance that the beast should be safely and speedily restored.
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