Mark 11:12

KJV

¶ And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} on the morrow {G1887}, when they {G846} were come {G1831} from {G575} Bethany {G963}, he was hungry {G3983}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The next day, as they came back from Beit-Anyah, he felt hungry.

Berean Standard Bible

The next day, when they had left Bethany, Jesus was hungry.

American Standard Version

And on the morrow, when they were come out from Bethany, he hungered.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 11:12 marks the beginning of a pivotal day in Jesus' final week, immediately following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This seemingly simple statement, "And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry," serves as a crucial narrative bridge, highlighting Jesus' full humanity and setting the stage for the powerful symbolic act of cursing the fig tree, which immediately follows in the Gospel account. It underscores that even the most ordinary human experiences of Jesus were interwoven with His divine mission and prophetic purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed as a transition point following Jesus' [Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem](/mark/11-1-11 "Mark 11:1-11 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry") and His brief visit to the Temple, after which He returned to Bethany for the night. The detail of His hunger directly precedes the incident of the [cursing of the fig tree](/mark/11-13-14 "Mark 11:13-14 - The Cursing of the Fig Tree"), an event that is then interrupted by the [cleansing of the Temple](/mark/11-15-19 "Mark 11:15-19 - The Cleansing of the Temple") before the fig tree's withered state is observed. This narrative sandwiching (fig tree – Temple cleansing – fig tree) is a characteristic literary device of Mark, linking the unfruitfulness of the fig tree to the spiritual barrenness and corruption Jesus found in the Temple, which was meant to be a "house of prayer for all nations" ([Mark 11:17](/mark/11-17 "Mark 11:17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Bethany was a small village located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, about two miles east of Jerusalem. It served as a common lodging place for pilgrims visiting Jerusalem, especially during the Passover festival when the city's population swelled. Jesus frequently stayed in Bethany, particularly at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus ([John 12:1-2](/john/12-1-2 "John 12:1-2 - Jesus in Bethany")). The journey from Bethany to Jerusalem would have been a regular walk, and for Jesus and His disciples to be hungry in the morning before reaching Jerusalem, where they might find food, was a common experience for travelers. The time of year, just before Passover, would have seen Jerusalem bustling with activity and heightened religious fervor.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 11:12 contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the **Humanity of Jesus**. Despite being the Son of God, He experienced genuine human needs and limitations, such as hunger, thirst, and fatigue, as seen elsewhere when He was [asleep in the boat during a storm](/mark/4-38 "Mark 4:38 - Jesus Asleep in the Storm"). This highlights His full identification with the human condition, making Him a relatable and empathetic High Priest who [sympathizes with our weaknesses](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest"). Secondly, the verse introduces the theme of **Divine Judgment and Expectation of Fruitfulness**. Jesus' hunger directly precipitates the symbolic act of cursing the fig tree, which becomes a visual parable for God's judgment on spiritual barrenness, particularly directed at the religious leadership and Israel's failure to bear the fruit of righteousness. This theme is further developed in the subsequent [Temple cleansing](/mark/11-15-19 "Mark 11:15-19 - The Cleansing of the Temple").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hungry (Greek, _peináō'_):** From G3983. This word denotes a physical craving for food, to famish (absolutely or comparatively), or figuratively, to crave. In this context, it unequivocally refers to Jesus experiencing genuine physical hunger, emphasizing His complete humanity. It is not merely a literary device but a real physiological state.
* **morrow (Greek, _epaúrion'_):** From G1887. This term signifies "on the succeeding day" or "tomorrow." It precisely dates the event to the day after Jesus' Triumphal Entry, indicating a new day's beginning and setting the timeline for the significant events that follow in Jesus' final week.
* **come (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** From G1831. This word means "to issue forth," "come out," or "depart." It describes the action of Jesus and His disciples leaving Bethany, highlighting their movement from their lodging place towards Jerusalem, the scene of the impending dramatic events.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And on the morrow,"**: This phrase establishes the temporal setting, indicating that the events described occurred the day after the Triumphal Entry. It signals a new day of significant activity in Jesus' final week. The "¶" in the KJV denotes a new paragraph, emphasizing a shift in the narrative.
* **"when they were come from Bethany,"**: This clause specifies the geographical origin of Jesus and His disciples' journey. They were returning from Bethany, where they had lodged for the night, back towards Jerusalem. This detail grounds the narrative in a real, identifiable location and movement.
* **"he was hungry:"**: This simple yet profound statement reveals a crucial aspect of Jesus' nature. It affirms His full humanity, demonstrating that He experienced genuine physical needs and sensations, just like any other human being. This hunger serves as the immediate catalyst for the subsequent narrative event of the fig tree.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 11:12, though brief, employs several literary devices. **Realism** is evident in the straightforward declaration of Jesus' hunger, grounding the divine narrative in tangible human experience and underscoring His incarnate nature. This detail is not merely incidental but serves as an example of **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus' hunger directly precedes and sets the stage for the incident of the fig tree. The hunger, a natural human need, becomes the impetus for a profoundly symbolic act of judgment. Furthermore, there is an element of subtle **Irony** or **Paradox** at play: the Son of God, the Creator of all things, who miraculously fed thousands ([Mark 6:30-44](/mark/6-30-44 "Mark 6:30-44 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), experiences hunger Himself. This paradox highlights His humility and complete identification with humanity, even in its most basic vulnerabilities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The hunger of Jesus in Mark 11:12 is a profound theological statement about the Incarnation. It underscores the reality of Jesus' full humanity, a doctrine central to Christian theology. He was not merely God appearing as a man, but truly God *and* truly man, experiencing the full range of human needs and limitations, yet without sin. This reality makes Him perfectly suited to be our High Priest, one who can fully sympathize with our weaknesses and temptations because He has experienced them Himself. His hunger is not a sign of weakness but of His identification with us, enabling Him to be the perfect mediator and atoning sacrifice. This divine humility, where the Creator submits to the created order's needs, reveals the depth of God's love and commitment to humanity's redemption.

* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")
* [Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience")
* [Matthew 4:2](/matthew/4-2 "Matthew 4:2 - Jesus' Hunger after Fasting")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The simple statement that Jesus "was hungry" offers a powerful point of connection and reflection for believers. It reminds us that our Savior is not a distant, ethereal deity, but one who fully entered into the human experience, including its most basic physical needs and vulnerabilities. This truth should deepen our empathy for others who experience hunger, poverty, or any form of physical deprivation, prompting us to act in compassion. Furthermore, Jesus' physical hunger serves as a springboard for considering our own spiritual hunger. Are we hungering and thirsting for righteousness, for God's Word, and for His presence in our lives, as Jesus taught in [Matthew 5:6](/matthew/5-6 "Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are those who Hunger for Righteousness")? Just as Jesus' hunger led to a significant act, our own spiritual hunger should motivate us to seek God more earnestly, leading to spiritual fruitfulness in our lives. This verse encourages us to see even our mundane experiences as opportunities for God to work and reveal His purposes, reminding us to be attentive to His leading in every detail of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detail of Jesus' hunger deepen your understanding of His humanity and His identification with our struggles?**
* **In what ways do you experience "hunger" in your own life, both physically and spiritually? How does this verse challenge or encourage you in those areas?**
* **How might seemingly ordinary or challenging circumstances in your life be preparing you for a greater spiritual purpose or revelation, much like Jesus' hunger led to the fig tree incident?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jesus' hunger mentioned in this verse? Is it just a trivial detail?**

Answer: Far from trivial, Jesus' hunger in [Mark 11:12](/mark/11-12 "Mark 11:12 - Jesus is Hungry") serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it powerfully affirms His full humanity. The Son of God truly became man, experiencing real physical needs like hunger, thirst, and fatigue, demonstrating His complete identification with the human condition. This makes Him a relatable and empathetic High Priest. Secondly, it acts as a narrative catalyst, immediately preceding and setting the stage for the [cursing of the fig tree](/mark/11-13-14 "Mark 11:13-14 - The Cursing of the Fig Tree"). Jesus' expectation of finding fruit on the fig tree, driven by His hunger, becomes a symbolic act of judgment against spiritual unfruitfulness, particularly in Israel and its religious leadership. Thus, a seemingly mundane detail becomes integral to the unfolding theological drama of Holy Week.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 11:12, with its simple declaration that "he was hungry," profoundly underscores the Christ-centered reality of the Incarnation. Jesus' physical hunger is not merely a human detail but a testament to His complete identification with fallen humanity, a necessary prerequisite for Him to be the perfect atoning sacrifice. As the true Israel, Jesus experiences the hunger and thirst that the nation of Israel often failed to satisfy spiritually, yet He Himself is the ultimate satisfaction. He is the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") who came down from heaven to satisfy the deepest spiritual hunger of humanity, and the [Living Water](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water") that quenches eternal thirst. His hunger in this verse foreshadows His ultimate self-emptying on the cross, where He would experience the ultimate spiritual desolation, crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/mark/15-34 "Mark 15:34 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" to satisfy God's righteous wrath and provide spiritual sustenance for a starving world. Through His real human experience of hunger, Jesus connects His divine mission to our human need, ultimately becoming the one who provides eternal spiritual nourishment for all who believe in Him ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus, the Living Bread")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 21:18

¶ Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

Matthew 21:22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Matthew 4:2

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

John 19:28

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

John 4:31

In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

John 4:33

Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him [ought] to eat?

Luke 4:2

Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.