Mark 11:27
And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔρχονται
there come
G2064
ἔρχονται
there come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 22
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
3 of 22
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἱεροσόλυμα
Jerusalem
G2414
Ἱεροσόλυμα
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2414
Word #:
5 of 22
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερῷ
the temple
G2411
ἱερῷ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
9 of 22
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
περιπατοῦντος
was walking
G4043
περιπατοῦντος
was walking
Strong's:
G4043
Word #:
10 of 22
to tread all around, i.e., walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary)
αὐτὸν
as he
G846
αὐτὸν
as he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἔρχονται
there come
G2064
ἔρχονται
there come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
12 of 22
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 22
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτὸν
as he
G846
αὐτὸν
as he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
16 of 22
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
The Sanhedrin was Judaism's supreme council (71 members) ruling on religious law, criminal justice, and civil governance under Roman oversight. Chief priests included Caiaphas and leading priestly families (predominantly Sadducees). Scribes were Torah scholars, mostly Pharisees. Elders represented wealthy lay families. This diverse coalition—theological adversaries united by perceived threat—confronted Jesus together. The temple was Second Temple Judaism's heart—religious, economic, political. Its Court of the Gentiles had been converted into an exploitative marketplace.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus's boldness in returning to the temple after confrontation teach about courageous witness?
- How do religious systems become corrupted when spiritual authority mingles with economic interests and political power?
- Why did the religious establishment perceive Jesus as a threat?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple—Jesus returns to Jerusalem after the temple cleansing (11:15-18), boldly walking in the very place He had disrupted. There come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders—This represents the Sanhedrin's full leadership: chief priests (high priest and priestly aristocracy controlling temple operations), scribes (legal experts and Torah interpreters), and elders (respected laymen from prominent families). Their united delegation signaled official interrogation. The confrontation was inevitable—Jesus had overturned money-changers' tables, driven out merchants, and accused them of making God's house a den of robbers. This directly challenged temple system corruption, threatening both religious authority and economic interests.