Mark 11:8

And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) Branches off the trees.—The Greek word for “branches” is used by St. Mark only. It describes the leafy boughs forming, as they were thrown down, a kind of litter or matting, rather than the woody branches.

Off the trees.—The better MSS. give “from the fields,” a reading which, perhaps, agrees better with the account of the “branches” given in the preceding Note.

And strawed them in the way.—Omitted in the better MSS.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

11:1-11 Christ's coming into Jerusalem thus remarkably, shows that he was not afraid of the power and malice of his enemies. This would encourage his disciples who were full of fear. Also, that he was not disquieted at the thoughts of his approaching sufferings. But all marked his humiliation; and these matters teach us not to mind high things, but to condescend to those of low estate. How ill it becomes Christians to take state, when Christ was so far from claiming it! They welcomed his person; Blessed is he that cometh, the He that should come, so often promised, so long expected; he comes in the name of the Lord. Let him have our best affections; he is a blessed Saviour, and brings blessings to us, and blessed be He that sent him. Praises be to our God, who is in the highest heavens, over all, God blessed for ever.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

What do ye, loosing the colt? - Or, why do ye do this? What authority have you for doing it?

See this passage illustrated in the notes at Matthew 21:1-16.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 11

Mr 11:1-11. Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, on the First Day of the Week. ( = Mt 21:1-9; Lu 19:29-40; Joh 12:12, 19).

See on [1475]Lu 19:29-40.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Mark 11:7"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And many spread their garments in the way,.... Instead of carpets to ride on, and in honour to him as a king:

and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way; in token of joy, as at the feast of tabernacles; See Gill on Matthew 21:8.

Geneva Study Bible

And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Mark 11:8. στιβάδας (στιβάς from στείβω, to tread, hence anything trodden, such as straw, reeds, leaves, etc.; here only in N. T.); “layers of leaves,” R. V[103], margin; or layers of branches (κλάδους, Mt.) obtained, as Mk. explains, by cutting from the fields (κόψαντες ἐκ τ. ἀγρῶν).—στοιβάς (στοιβάδας, T. R.) is probably a corrupt form of στιβάς. Hesychius defines στιβάς as a bed of rods and green grass and leaves (ἀπὸ ῥάβδων καὶ χλωρῶν χόρτων στρῶσις, καὶ φύλλων).

[103] Revised Version.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8. spread their garments in the way] i. e. their “abbas” or “hykes,” the loose blanket or cloak worn over the tunic or shirt. So myrtle-twigs and robes had been strewn by their ancestors before Mordecai, when he came forth from the palace of Ahasuerus (Targ. Esther 8:15), so the Persian army had honoured Xerxes when about to cross the Hellespont (Herod. VII. 54), and so Robinson tells us the inhabitants of Bethlehem threw their garments under the feet of the horses of the English consul at Damascus, whose aid they were imploring (Biblical Researches, II. 162).

branches] “soþeli oþere men kittiden bowis, or branches, fro trees,” Wyclif. These were not the “branches” (kladoi) cut from the trees as they went along, mentioned in Matthew 21:8, but “mattings” (stoibades) which they twisted out of the palm-branches as they passed. The original word denotes (1) a bed of straw, rushes, or leaves, whether strawed loose or stuffed into a mattress; (2) a mattress, especially of soldiers; (3) the nest or lair of mice or fish.

off the trees] The reading of some MSS. here is from the gardens, and the verse would run, And many strewed their garments in the way, and others twisted branches, cutting them from the gardens. Eastern gardens are not flower gardens, nor private gardens, but the orchards, vineyards and fig-enclosures round a town. The road from Bethany to Jerusalem wound through rich plantations of palm trees, and fruit- and olive-gardens.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - Others cut down branches off the trees, etc. According to the best authorities, the words should be rendered, and others branches (or, leaves, for strewing), which thy had cut from the fields (ἄλλοι δὲ στοιβάδας κόψαντες ἐκ τῶν ἀγρῶν). The branches were cut in the fields; and the smaller, leafy portions of them, suitable for their purpose, were carried out. Mark 11:8

Vincent's Word Studies

In the way

Both Matthew and Luke have ἐν, in; but Mark, εἰς, into. They threw their garments into the way and spread them there.

Branches

Matthew, Hark, and John use each a different word for branches. Matthew, κλάδους, from κλάω, to break; hence a young slip or shoot, such as is broken off for grafting - a twig, as related to a branch. Mark, στιβάδας, from στείβω, to tread or beat down; hence a mass of straw, rushes, or leaves beaten together or strewed loose, so as to form a bed or a carpeted way. A litter of branches and leaves cut from the fields (only Mark) near by. John, βαΐ́α, strictly palm-branches, the feathery fronds forming the tufted crown of the tree.

Hosanna

Meaning, O save!