1 Now when they came near Jerusalem, near Bethphage and Bethany, at the Hill of Olives, he despatched two of his disciples,
2 saying to them, "Go to the village in front of you. As soon as you enter it you will find a colt tethered, on which no one has ever sat; untether it and bring it here.
3 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing that?' say, 'The Lord needs it,' and he will send it back immediately."
4 Off they went and found a colt tethered outside a door in the street. They untethered it;
5 but some of the bystanders said to them, "What do you mean by untethering that colt?"
6 So they answered as Jesus had told them, and the men allowed them to go.
7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus, and when they had put their clothes on it Jesus seated himself.
8 Many also spread their clothes on the road, while others strewed leaves cut from the fields;
9 and both those in front and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed be he who comes in the Lord's name!
10 Blessed be the Reign to come, our father David's reign. Hosanna in high heaven!"
11 Then he entered Jerusalem, entered the temple, and looked round at everything; but as it was late he went away with the twelve to Bethany.
12 Next day, when they had left Bethany, he felt hungry,
13 and noticing a fig tree in leaf some distance away he went to see if he could find anything on it; but when he reached it he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the time for figs.
14 Then he said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you after this!" The disciples heard him say it.
15 Then they came to Jerusalem, and entering the temple he proceeded to drive out those who were buying and selling inside the temple; he upset the tables of the money-changers and the stalls of those who sold doves,
16 and would not allow anyone to carry a vessel through the temple;
17 also he taught them. "Is it not written," he asked, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations? You have made it a den of robbers."
18 This came to the ears of the scribes and high priests, and they tried to get him put to death, for they were afraid of him. But the multitude were all astounded at his teaching.
20 Now as they passed in the morning they noticed the fig tree had withered to the root.
21 Then Peter remembered. "Rabbi," he said, "there is the fig tree you cursed, all withered!"
22 Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God!
23 I tell you truly, whoever says to this hill, 'Take and throw yourself into the sea,' and has not a doubt in his mind but believes that what he says will happen, he will have it done.
24 So I tell you, whatever you pray for and ask, believe you have got it and you shall have it.
25 Also, whenever you stand up to pray, if you have anything against anybody, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
26 --
27 Once more they came to Jerusalem. And as he was walking within the temple the high priests and scribes and elders came
28 and asked him, "What authority have you for acting in this way? Who gave you authority to act in this way?"
29 Jesus said to them, "I am going to ask you a question. Answer this, and I will tell you what authority I have for acting as I do.
30 What about the baptism of John? Was it from heaven or from men?"
31 Now they argued to themselves, "[What are we to say?] If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why did you not believe him.'
32 No, let us say, From men" ??but they were afraid of the multitude, for the people all held John had been really a prophet.
33 So they replied to Jesus, "We do not know." Jesus said to them, "No more will I tell you what authority I have for acting as I do."