Mark 11:1–19 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city.
On Palm Sunday, after being welcomed with palm branches and cries of “Hosanna,” Jesus returned to Bethany that evening. The next day, Holy Monday, He returned to Jerusalem without all the fanfare. It was on this day that He cleansed the Temple.
Matthew’s account (Chapter 21) could be understood to say that Jesus cleansed the Temple on Palm Sunday, but the language is not precise, and simply indicates that Jesus cleansed it after coming to Jerusalem. Mark’s account is very specific in stating it happened on Monday. Either way, He did it. It was part of pointing out how far many of God’s people had wandered from Him, calling people to repentance, and carrying out His mission of fulfilling all righteousness for us.
The Jewish leaders and officials resolved to get rid of Him, which was also part of God’s plan to redeem the world through His promised Messiah. He came to be the sacrifice for sin, and would be the replacement for the Passover Lamb just a few days later, the embodiment of th prophetic words of John the Baptizer: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! “ (John 1:29)
Glory be to Jesus, Who in bitter pains
Poured for me the life-blood From His sacred veins!
Grace and life eternal In that blood I find
Blest be His compassion Infinitely kind!
Blest through endless ages Be the precious stream
Which from endless torments Did the world redeem!
Abel’s blood for vengance Pleaded to the skies
But the blood of Jesus For our pardon cries
Oft as earth exulting Wafts its praise on high,
Angel hosts rejoicing Make their glad reply.
Lift we then our voices, Swell the mighty flood,
Louder still and louder Praise the precious blood.
