Presentation of the King: The Gospel of Mark tells the story of some of the most significant and astounding events in Jesus’ ministry.
Mark takes no time recording any lead up to Christ’s birth.
No genealogies, no shepherds or magi, no childhood stories of conversations with Scribes in the temple, no account of losing mum/dad.
He introduces his subject – ‘the gospel of Jesus Christ’ – Mark 1:1 “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” – this first verse is like the title of the book – the good news of Jesus Christ.

Before we take up the narrative of Chapter 11, we must realise we’re into Palm Sunday six weeks early. Jesus was coming to the end of a journey, having ministered in at least 35 localities, he timed His arrival in time so as to end up in Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover.
In chapter 11 we find Him back in Bethany on the outskirts of Jerusalem and expectations were running high – earlier raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11).
Jericho to Jerusalem is about 20klms and you go from the lowest city on earth (243metres below sea level) to nearly 1000 metres above sea level.
Bethphage was a little hamlet or district between Jerusalem and Bethany. A traveler approaching Jerusalem from the east, coming from Jericho, would come to Bethany about 3 klms from Jerusalem on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. As he rounded the south side of the Mount of Olives, he would pass by Bethphage before the first sight of Jerusalem. (Hughes)
The section revolves around three or four days (11:1–11, Sunday; 11:12–19, Monday; 11:20–13:37, Tuesday and probably Wednesday).
The Triumphal Entry vv 1-11
The Tree Cursed vv 12-14
The Temple Cleansed vv 15-19