I. The Basics
A. Setting
It was now the final days of Jesus’ ministry on earth. Five days before his arrest during the Passover (cf. Jn 12:1,12), Jesus entered Jerusalem . He had been in the city before (cf. Lk 2:43; Jn 5:1), but never with such fanfare. People welcomed Him as their king and savior. In this passage, Jesus showed us how to be put to good use for God’s work.
B. Key Verse
“The Lord has need of it” (11:3).
C. Did You Know…?
1. Jerusalem (11:1): Herod the Great had restored much of the city’s former magnificence. He built a vast palace and rebuilt its fortresses, amphitheater, and temple.
2. Bethphage (11:1): Literally, “House of Unripe Figs.” It is not mentioned in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, it is mentioned only in connection with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. It was located close to Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, between Jerusalem and Jericho. No trace of it remains today.
3. Bethany (11:1): Literally, “House of Dates,” referring to the palm trees that grew there. A village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, about two miles from Jerusalem and the final station on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem. It was the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (cf. Jn 11:1), and became the base of Jesus’ ministry in Judea (cf. Mk 11:11-12; 14:3).
4. Colt (11:2): A young donkey. Jesus rode on a colt to fulfill the prophecy recorded in Zech 9:9 (Jn 12:14-16).
5. Branches (11:8): These were palm branches (cf. Jn 12:13). A palm branch was associated with rejoicing (cf. Lev 23:40). It also symbolized the “head,” the highest of the people (cf. Isa 9:14). Later, it represented triumph and victory. In the New Testament, the apostle John witnessed a vision of all people holding palm branches, praising God (Rev 7:9-10).
6. “Hosanna!” (11:9): Hebrew expression meaning literally, “Save us now!” (cf. Ps 118:25-26). It was an exclamation of praise, much like today’s “God save the king!” or “Hail to the chief!”
7. Fig tree (11:13): Fig is a common food in the region. Its green fruit is concealed among leaves until near the time of ripening; its flowers are hidden inside the fruit. Fig trees around Jerusalem normally begin to grow leaves in March or April but do not produce fruits until their leaves are fully grown in June. This tree was unusual in that it was already full of leaves near the time of Passover (mid-April).
8. In the temple’s outer court (the furthest into the temple the Gentiles were allowed), the chief priest Caiaphas had authorized a market for the sale of kosher (ritually clean) items necessary for temple sacrifice. It was far easier for a pilgrim to purchase items that were guaranteed kosher than to bring them with him and have them inspected for meeting the requirements.
9. Money changers (11:15): In New Testament Palestine, there were three forms of currency: imperial (Roman), provincial (Greek), and local (Jewish). In exchange for Greek and Roman currency, money changers provided pilgrims the required Jewish coinage for the annual half-shekel temple tax. Though a small surcharge was permitted, these transactions were sources of extortion and fraud.
II. Observation
A. Outline
(11:1-6)
(1-3)
(4-6)
(11:7-11)
(7-10)
(11)
(11:12-14)
(12-13)
(14)
(11:15-18)
(15-16)
(17-18)
(11:19-26)
(19-21)
(22-24)
(25-26)
B. Key Words/Phrases
III. General Analysis
1. For each of the following, what did Jesus need it for, and how was it actually used?
1a. Colt
1b. Fig tree
1c. Temple
2. Why did Jesus come to Jerusalem ?
3. What is your God-given purpose? Why are you here, at this time?
IV. Segment Analysis
A. 11:1-6
1. Jesus borrowed a colt. What are other things Jesus used that He did not own? What does this tell you about getting the things we need?
2. What do you have that Jesus can borrow? What does He return to you?
3a. What are the characteristics of a colt that no one has ridden?
3b. Share an example of how God used someone who did not appear useful.
4. What does the disciples’ obedience tell you about their faith?
B. 11:7-11
5. List the things people did when Jesus rode into Jerusalem.
6. What was going through the mind of each of the following?
6a. Crowd
6b. Disciples
6c. Jesus
7. Why did Jesus go to the temple even though it was already late (11)?
C. 11:12-14, 20-21
8. Why did Jesus go to find out if the fig tree had any fruit? Didn’t He already know?
9a. What does the fig tree without fruits represent?
9b. Name someone in the Bible who was like a fig tree with nothing but leaves. Name someone who was the opposite.
9c. How might a believer become like the fig tree without fruits?
10. Is it fair for the fig tree to die? Why or why not?
11. Why didn’t the fig tree wither right away? Compare this to the parable of the fig tree in Lk 13:6-9.
12. Contrast the colt and the fig tree. Which served its purpose?
D. 11:15-18
13a. What is wrong with selling items required for sacrifice? Are the merchants not providing a convenience to the pilgrims?
13b. How is convenience sometimes a danger to our faith?
14a. How had the buyers and sellers made the temple “a den of thieves”? (cf. Jer 7:10-11,17-18).
14b. How was the temple at that time like the fig tree without fruits?
14c. How might the church today become “a den of thieves” or like the fig tree without fruits?
15a. Why did the chief priests and scribes want to kill Jesus?
15b. How were the chief priests and scribes like the fig tree without fruits?
E. 11:22-26
16. Explain verse 24. Can we pray for anything as long as we believe?
17. How do we have a faith that can move a mountain?
18. How is faith (22-24) related to forgiveness (25-26)? (cf. Jas 1:5-6; 5:15-16).
19. Do you have anything against another person? What is your incentive to forgive him or her?
Segment Analysis
A. 11:27-33
1. How was the question on Jesus’ authority a trap?
2. Why did Jesus ask about John’s baptism? What does His response (11:33) tell you about His wisdom?
3. What does the discussion among the chief priests, scribes, and elders (11:31-32) tell you about their values? What does their answer tell you about their wisdom, or lack thereof?
4. Why did Jesus refuse to answer their question?
5. When someone questions the church’s authority and doctrines, how should you answer?
