Catholic Bible Study: Lectio Mark – Jesus and the Temple

Podcast: Catholic Bible Study
Host: Augustine Institute
Episode: Lectio Mark: Jesus and the Temple
Date: January 29, 2026

Overview

This episode journeys through Mark chapters 11 and 12, focusing on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple, and his confrontation with religious authorities. Through deep scriptural exploration, connections are drawn among Jesus’ actions, Old Testament prophecies, Jewish expectations, and the symbolic meaning within his teaching and parables. The episode employs vivid storytelling, linking historical context, Old Testament echoes, and the theological significance in Mark’s account, ultimately leading listeners to richer understanding of Jesus' identity and mission.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The “Way Narrative” and the Disciples’ Blindness

[00:05 – 03:00]

• Recap of previous episodes on the “way” narrative in Mark (8:22–10:52), bookended by two healings of blind men (Bethsaida and Bartimaeus).
• Symbolism: The disciples, like the first blind man, have “partial, myopic vision”—they see Jesus as the Messiah, but misunderstand his mission.
• Transition to Mark 11, as the narrative intensifies: Jesus’ solemn entry into Jerusalem and the temple, leading to his final week.

“Peter professes that Jesus is the Christ, and yet he doesn’t understand that he is the Son of God ... he has partial myopic vision like the rest of the disciples.”
— Host [00:25]

2. Triumphal Entry: Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy

[03:01 – 09:30]

• Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem (Mark 11): Disciples bring a colt (tied to Solomon’s enthronement and the prophecy from Zechariah).
• “Bethphage” means “house of the fig tree”; the fig tree will play a significant role as a symbol of Israel.
• Jesus’ procession mirrors the prophesied “way of the Lord” (Isaiah, Malachi 3:1): Jesus is presented as the returning glory of God entering the temple.
• The spreading of garments and palm branches reflects the Maccabean revolt (2 Maccabees 10): Just as Judas Maccabeus was welcomed with palms after cleansing the temple from the Greeks, Jesus is hailed as a potential liberator from Roman rule.
• Tossing garments recalls 2 Kings 9 (anointing of Jehu): A sign of kingship.
• Riding a colt recalls Solomon’s enthronement (1 Kings 1).

“All these actions—palm branches, riding on a donkey, throwing down of garments—all these symbols are royal and they resonate.”
— Host [09:27]

3. Symbolic Welcome and Misunderstood Expectations

[09:30 – 12:00]

• Crowd shouts from Psalm 118: “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord ... blessed is the kingdom of our Father David that is coming.”
• The people expect a Davidic king who will rule and liberate them.
• The irony: Jesus will be enthroned, but on the cross.

“What they don’t see coming is that he’ll be enthroned in Jerusalem, no doubt, but have been enthroned on the cross—that they don’t see coming.”
— Host [11:48]

4. The Cleansing of the Temple and the Cursing of the Fig Tree

[12:01 – 23:30]

• Jesus curses a fig tree—symbol of Israel in Hosea 9:10—because it bears no fruit, foreshadowing judgment.
• Cleansing the temple: Jesus drives out money changers. The outer court, meant for Gentiles (“house of prayer for all nations” – Isaiah 56), is commercialized by the priestly elite.
• Jesus quotes Isaiah 56 and Jeremiah 7:11 (“den of thieves”): Echoes Jeremiah’s prediction before the Babylonian destruction of the temple.
• The implication: The current temple’s religious leadership is leading to doom, just as in Jeremiah’s day; within 40 years of Jesus’ prophecy, the temple is destroyed by the Romans (70 A.D.).
• The withered fig tree seen the following day is a sign of judgment on unfruitful Israel and its temple.

“The fate of the temple is embodied by the fig tree: Jesus’ word against the fig tree proved to be true, and his word about the temple will likewise prove to be true.”
— Host [23:09]

5. Jesus’ Authority Challenged and His Parable Response

[23:31 – 37:00]

• Chief priests and scribes challenge Jesus’ authority (Mark 11:27–33). Jesus counters with a question about John the Baptist’s authority, exposing their duplicity.
• Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12:1–12): The vineyard signifies Israel and specifically the temple (cf. Isaiah 5 and Jewish targums).
  • Servants = prophets rejected and beaten.
  • Beloved Son = Jesus, echoing “beloved son” at baptism and the Isaac/Abraham story.
• The parable foreshadows that the religious leaders will reject and kill the Son, leading to the vineyard being given to “others.”
• Jesus cites Psalm 118:22 (the stone the builders rejected...), relating it to himself as the foundation of a new temple.
• The authorities recognize the parable is against them but fear the crowds.

“He’s talking about the temple. He’s talking about a parable, a story about a vineyard. And the vineyard means the temple. And where is he at right now? He’s in the temple where people could see those clusters shining and sparkling off the sun as Jesus teaches this.”
— Host [28:23]

6. Testing Jesus: “Render to Caesar…”

[37:01 – 51:00]

• Several groups attempt to trap Jesus with political and religious questions.
• Example chosen: Paying taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:13–17).
  • Political trap: If Jesus says taxes are lawful, crowds may turn on him; if unlawful, Romans have cause to arrest.
  • Jesus asks for a denarius, exposes their hypocrisy (having idolatrous coins in the temple).
  • Theologically profound answer:
    • “Whose likeness is on this?” (link to Genesis: humans in God’s image, and Daniel: refusal to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s image).
    • “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”
    • Give Caesar his image; give God what bears His image—ourselves.

“Gotcha. He just trapped them. And then Jesus does something brilliant … Give to God what has his image on it, which is the human heart. We are made in the image and likeness of God.”
— Host [49:10]

7. Looking Ahead

• The episode closes, promising next time to examine Jesus’ prophecy about the temple’s demise, which foreshadows his own death and resurrection.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Disciples’ Insight:
  “He has partial myopic vision like the rest of the disciples.”
  — Host [00:25]

• On Jesus’ Royal Entry:
  “All these actions … are royal and they resonate.”
  — Host [09:27]

• On Crowds’ Expectation:
  “What they don’t see coming is that he’ll be enthroned in Jerusalem ... but have been enthroned on the cross—that they don’t see coming.”
  — Host [11:48]

• On Temple Judgment:
  “The fate of the temple is embodied by the fig tree.”
  — Host [23:09]

• On the Parable’s Setting:
  “He’s talking about the temple ... where people could see those clusters shining and sparkling off the sun.”
  — Host [28:23]

• On “Render to Caesar”:
  “Give Caesar his image back to him…the human heart…we are made in the image likeness of God. Who wins out, Caesar or God in that deal?”
  — Host [49:24]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:05–03:00 — Recap of “Way Narrative” and transition to Jerusalem
• 03:01–09:30 — Jesus’ entry and prophetic fulfillment
• 09:30–12:00 — Royal symbolism, popular expectation, Psalm 118
• 12:01–23:30 — Fig tree, temple cleansing, judgment pronounced
• 23:31–37:00 — Debates on authority and the Parable of the Tenants
• 37:01–51:00 — Traps for Jesus, “Render to Caesar” exchange

Conclusion

Rich in biblical interpretation, Jewish history, and New Testament theology, this episode illuminates Jesus’ actions in Jerusalem as the fulfillment of prophecy and the revelation of his divine authority. The teaching challenges listeners to see Jesus as both the long-awaited Messiah and the inaugurator of a new, living temple—the Church—while inviting personal reflection on giving God what is truly His: our lives, created in His image.