The final chapters of the Gospel of Mark (Mark 11 to 16) in the King James Bible provide a vivid and powerful account of the last days of Jesus Christ’s life on earth, His crucifixion, and His triumphant resurrection. These chapters depict Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, His interactions with religious leaders, the Last Supper, His arrest, trial, crucifixion, and the ultimate victory over death. Let’s explore these pivotal moments in the story of Jesus.
Mark 11: The Triumphal Entry and the Cleansing of the Temple
Mark 11 begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event celebrated on Palm Sunday. As Jesus approaches the city, He instructs His disciples to bring Him a colt. When He enters the city, the crowds spread their garments and palm branches on the road, shouting, “Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Mark 11:9 KJV). This moment fulfills the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, marking Jesus as the awaited King and Messiah.
After entering Jerusalem, Jesus goes to the Temple. The next day, He returns and finds that the Temple has been turned into a marketplace. In righteous anger, Jesus overturns the tables of the money changers, driving out those who were buying and selling, and declares, “Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Mark 11:17 KJV). This act angers the chief priests and scribes, who begin to plot His death.
On His way to the Temple, Jesus curses a fig tree, which later withers, symbolizing the spiritual barrenness of Israel. He uses this moment to teach His disciples about the power of faith and prayer, saying, “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22 KJV), and encouraging them to believe without doubting.
Mark 12: Parables and Confrontations with Religious Leaders
In Mark 12, Jesus tells the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, a story that symbolizes Israel’s rejection of the prophets and, ultimately, of God’s Son. In the parable, a landowner sends servants to collect the fruit from his vineyard, but the tenants beat or kill each one. Finally, he sends his son, whom they also kill. The religious leaders realize that Jesus is speaking about them and their rejection of God’s message (Mark 12:1-12 KJV).
The chapter continues with several confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders. The Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, but Jesus wisely responds, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17 KJV).
Next, the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, ask Jesus a tricky question about marriage in the afterlife. Jesus refutes their misunderstanding of Scripture, teaching that there is no marriage in the resurrection, and asserts, “He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living” (Mark 12:27 KJV).
Finally, a scribe asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest. Jesus replies, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength… And the second is… Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mark 12:29-31 KJV).
Mark 13: The Olivet Discourse
Mark 13, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse, is a prophetic chapter in which Jesus speaks about the end times. As Jesus and His disciples leave the Temple, He foretells its destruction, saying, “There shall not be left one stone upon another” (Mark 13:2 KJV). This prophecy would be fulfilled with the destruction of the Temple in AD 70.
The disciples ask Jesus about the signs of the end, and He warns them about false prophets, wars, earthquakes, and famines, describing these events as the “beginnings of sorrows” (Mark 13:8 KJV). He also speaks of great tribulations, the coming of the Son of Man, and the need to be watchful and prepared for His return, as no one knows the exact hour (Mark 13:32-37 KJV).
Mark 14: The Last Supper, Betrayal, and Arrest
Mark 14 begins with the plot to kill Jesus, as the chief priests and scribes conspire with Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, who agrees to betray Him for thirty pieces of silver.
Before His arrest, Jesus celebrates the Passover meal, known as the Last Supper, with His disciples. During the meal, He institutes the practice of communion, breaking bread and offering wine as symbols of His body and blood, given for the salvation of many. “Take, eat: this is my body” and “This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many” (Mark 14:22-24 KJV).
After the meal, Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He is deeply troubled, knowing the suffering He will endure. He prays, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt” (Mark 14:36 KJV). While Jesus prays, His disciples fall asleep, unable to stay awake in His time of need.
Judas soon arrives with a mob to arrest Jesus. He betrays Jesus with a kiss, and despite Peter’s attempt to defend Him by cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Jesus is arrested and taken away (Mark 14:43-50 KJV).
Mark 15: The Trial, Crucifixion, and Death of Jesus
In Mark 15, Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Though Pilate finds no fault in Him, the crowd, stirred by the chief priests, demands Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate, bowing to public pressure, releases Barabbas, a murderer, and sentences Jesus to be scourged and crucified.
Jesus is mocked, beaten, and led to Golgotha, where He is nailed to a cross between two thieves. As He hangs on the cross, the soldiers and onlookers mock Him, and the religious leaders challenge Him to come down if He is truly the Son of God. Yet, Jesus endures the suffering silently. At the ninth hour, He cries out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34 KJV). Soon after, He gives up His spirit and dies. The veil of the Temple is torn in two, symbolizing the end of the separation between God and humanity.
A centurion, witnessing Jesus’ death, declares, “Truly this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39 KJV). Jesus is then buried in a tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathaea, a member of the Sanhedrin who had secretly followed Him.
Mark 16: The Resurrection of Jesus
Mark 16 begins with Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome going to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. When they arrive, they find the stone rolled away and an angel inside the tomb, who tells them, “He is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him” (Mark 16:6 KJV).
The angel instructs the women to tell the disciples that Jesus will meet them in Galilee. Initially, the women are afraid and flee, but later, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and to the disciples, confirming His resurrection. In His final instructions, Jesus commands His disciples to preach the Gospel to every creature and promises that those who believe will be saved and will perform miraculous signs (Mark 16:15-18 KJV).
The chapter concludes with Jesus’ ascension into heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God, and the disciples begin their mission, preaching everywhere as the Lord works through them (Mark 16:19-20 KJV).
Conclusion
Mark 11 to 16 details the culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry, from His triumphal entry into Jerusalem to His crucifixion and glorious resurrection. These chapters emphasize Jesus’ role as the Messiah, His sacrificial love, and the hope of eternal life through His resurrection. As believers reflect on these final chapters of Mark, they are reminded of the depth of Christ’s love and the call to follow Him in faith and obedience.
