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. (Mark 11:11)
Verse 11 says, Jesus entered Jerusalem as a king of peace and stayed there for a while but came out from Jerusalem since it was late. Compare to the scene of bringing a colt and entry to Jerusalem the explanation after entry is too simple. Why did Jesus come out from Jerusalem?
Was it nowhere for Jesus in Jerusalem to stay? It might be. In those days Jerusalem was a capital city of Israel. Jesus came from Nazareth a remote place. It might be not easy to find out the people who could provide Jesus with lodging and eating. Furthermore Jesus was branded a person to be watched by Jew’s leader. Who could hide him in Jerusalem? So it was comfortable for Jesus to return Bethany where his intimate people were residing.
If we think it a little realistically Jesus might need a rest before a big battle against the religious leaders in Jerusalem temple. Then it was better for Jesus rather returned to Bethany lesser noticed place than staying in Jerusalem where hostile people surrounded.
We don’t know clearly about such matter. The author of Bible also might not have much concern on this matter. Reporting temple cleaning incident directly after entry of Jerusalem (Mark 11:15-19) didn’t have any problem and furthermore it was natural proceeding like Matthew’s gospel. Was the author mentioned the incident of returning Bethany in order to deliver a story of fig tree? It is also not clear.
However, I feel a certain sense of pathos between the lines of the word, Jesus returned to Bethany. Perhaps, so awed by the air of Jerusalem’ dignity, might Jesus think to return Nazareth in Galilee momentarily?
Verse 11 says, Jesus entered Jerusalem as a king of peace and stayed there for a while but came out from Jerusalem since it was late. Compare to the scene of bringing a colt and entry to Jerusalem the explanation after entry is too simple. Why did Jesus come out from Jerusalem?
Was it nowhere for Jesus in Jerusalem to stay? It might be. In those days Jerusalem was a capital city of Israel. Jesus came from Nazareth a remote place. It might be not easy to find out the people who could provide Jesus with lodging and eating. Furthermore Jesus was branded a person to be watched by Jew’s leader. Who could hide him in Jerusalem? So it was comfortable for Jesus to return Bethany where his intimate people were residing.
If we think it a little realistically Jesus might need a rest before a big battle against the religious leaders in Jerusalem temple. Then it was better for Jesus rather returned to Bethany lesser noticed place than staying in Jerusalem where hostile people surrounded.
We don’t know clearly about such matter. The author of Bible also might not have much concern on this matter. Reporting temple cleaning incident directly after entry of Jerusalem (Mark 11:15-19) didn’t have any problem and furthermore it was natural proceeding like Matthew’s gospel. Was the author mentioned the incident of returning Bethany in order to deliver a story of fig tree? It is also not clear.
However, I feel a certain sense of pathos between the lines of the word, Jesus returned to Bethany. Perhaps, so awed by the air of Jerusalem’ dignity, might Jesus think to return Nazareth in Galilee momentarily?
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