In close connection with the journey to Jerusalem, Mark reports a number of Jesus' discourses, including Jesus' interview with a rich, young ruler, his reply to James and John when they asked for a prominent place in the new kingdom, the discourse given when the money-changers were driven from the Temple, the discussion about paying taxes to the Roman government, Jesus' foretelling of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, and his instruction to the disciples when he ate the Passover meal with them.
Jesus' entrance into the city of Jerusalem was a joyous occasion for those who believed that Jesus was about to establish a new kingdom. But this joy was of short duration, for the priests and rulers decided that Jesus was an enemy of their cause and determined to get rid of him. Mark reports the experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal by Judas, Peter's three denials, the trial before Pilate, and the story of the crucifixion. The Gospel of Mark concludes with a brief account of the women who went to the tomb where Jesus' body was placed and discovered that Jesus had risen from the dead.
