The Fig Tree
Mark 11:12-14
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
12The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.
This is also told in Matt 21:18-22) This is on Monday morning as they were walking from Bethany, where they had spent the night, over the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem About a two mile hike. Passover always happens inMarch or April and fig season is not until May or June. Fig trees normally produce a number of buds in March, leaves in April, and ripe fruit later on. Jesus was looking for the edible buds, the lack of which indicated that the tree would be fruitless later on The tree was alive but it was not going to bear any fruit. Jesus cursing the tree was a powerful parable- a picture of what He found when He turned His attention to the temple, the appearamce of life but no spirtual fruit.
Mark 11:12-14
New Living Translation (NLT)
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
12The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.
Mark 11:15-18
New Living Translation (NLT)
Jesus Clears the Temple
15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.[a] 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”[b]
18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.
Footnotes:
- Mark 11:16 Or from carrying merchandise through the Temple.
- Mark 11:17 Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11.
This was on Monday, Jesus had done the same thing three years earlier, at the beginning of His public ministry. The profits from the market stalls inside the temple area went in part to enrich the family of the High Priest. Jesus burned with righteouss indignation at this perversion of the uses of God’s House.
Mark 11:19-25
New Living Translation (NLT)
19That evening Jesus and the disciples left[a] the city.
20The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”
22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.[b]”
Footnotes:
- Mark 11:19 Greek they left; other manuscripts read he left.
- Mark 11:25 Some manuscripts add verse 26, But if you refuse to forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins. Compare Matt 6:15.
Verse 20 inidcate that this is now Tuesday morning, The fact that the tree was not only cursed but now withered emphasizes the power of true faith. It has been suggested that the fig tree represented Israel, which bore no fruit and would soon face the judgement of God. We come now to vss 22,23: The picture of casting a mountain into the sea is an extreme example of the absolutley impossible and that is the point
point. Having faith in God can accomplish the impossible.
Mark 11:15-18
New Living Translation (NLT)
Jesus Clears the Temple
15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.[a] 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”[b]
18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.
Footnotes:
- Mark 11:16 Or from carrying merchandise through the Temple.
- Mark 11:17 Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11.
Next time we will take a look at the reaction of the Pharisees to Jesus cleansing the temple (again!)
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