Mark 11:18 Commentary and Bible Study

Instead of rejoicing at Christ’s boldness and zeal in cleansing the temple and correcting something that was so obviously corrupt, the scribes and Pharisees were furious. Most likely they had a vested interest in the financial transactions that took place there, and they were rewarded either directly or indirectly for turning a blind eye and giving tacit approval to these dishonest and God-dishonouring practices. Never mind that their prophets had commanded the same things to be done, and that Christ had quoted two very well-known passages to prove it. In opposing his action, the scribes and chief priests had identified themselves very clearly with those whom the prophets rebuked. Christ’s interpretation and application of these passages could not be refuted. Instead, they just boiled over with murderous rage.But there is a problem. The words ‘for they feared him’ give the reason why ‘they sought how they might destroy him’, and show conclusively that they were seeking to destroy him by cunning and deception. They could not destroy him openly because the people admired him and were amazed at his teaching, so that the leaders were afraid to act openly against the will of the people. They were cowards who lacked any true principles for what they did. They must therefore act surreptitiously without the people being aware of it. They must try to break his prestige in the eyes of the people, and turn the people against him. They must take him before it was publicly known – quite a problem for them. Christ however, who is aware of all their plotting, is supremely calm about all this, because he knows that the will of God will be done. At the end of the day he goes back to Bethany to be with the family he loves, and practices his own teaching: ‘Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.’