Mark 11:11

11. Here and Mark 11:14-15, ὁ Ἰησοῦς is omitted in most MSS., including the best.

11. εἰς τὸ ἱερόν. This defines εἰς Ἰεροσόλυμα more exactly, just as the approach towards Jerusalem is defined more exactly by εἰς Βηθφαγή (Mark 11:1). The ἱερόν is the whole of the Temple-enclosure or τέμενος, including the courts open to the air as well as the ναός which was roofed. See on John 2:14; John 2:20; also Sanday, Sacred Sites of the Gospels, pp. 106 f., with illustration and plan.

περιβλεψάμενος πάντα. This and the remainder of the verse are peculiar to Mk. For the last time this embracing look is remembered and recorded (Mark 3:5; Mark 3:34; Mark 5:32; Mark 10:23). This time it is all-embracing, and all the more full of meaning if we think of the Lamentation over Jerusalem as having been uttered a few hours before. To regard this as the wondering look of a provincial, who was seeing Jerusalem for the first time, is entirely to misinterpret its meaning.

ὀψίας ἤδη οὔσης τ. ὥρας. There were still a few days in which some souls might be reached and in which teaching might be given which would hold good for all time; but it was too late for anything to be done that evening. So He went back to Bethany and passed the night on the quiet slopes of the [2621] of Olives (Luke 21:37). In the city He would have been less quiet and less safe; τὰ γὰρ Ἰεροσόλυμα πάσης κακίας ἐργαστήριον ἦσαν (Theoph.). He takes all precautions to prevent being arrested before His hour is come.

[2621] Codex Campianus. 9th cent. At Paris. Gospels complete.