But Jesus is not interested in judging fig trees. He saw a fig tree in leaf in the distance. (Matthew does not include the clause, “it was not the season for figs.” This is easily explained by the fact that Matthew’s Judean readership would know that spring is not the season for figs (Cotter 63), something that would not necessarily be evident to all of Mark’s readers.) This is the troubling element for many who find this passage difficult. Third, as referred to above (and certainly the most significant factor of the three), the fig tree was regarded in the Jewish Scriptures as symbolic of the nation of Israel. I believe the account is best understood, however, when it is taken just as it is written, and when it is interpreted in light of: 1) Mark’s overall goal of declaring the identity and authority of Jesus and 2) the significance of the fig tree in Jewish and Roman culture. I believe William Lane is correct when he asserts the following: If the incident occurred in the period approaching Passover, the parenthetical statement in verse 13c is incontrovertible and suggests that Jesus had no expectation of finding edible figs. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1970. The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 … Mark then writes, “Jesus answered them, `Have faith in God’” (22), though no specific question had been posed. In contrast to Jewish expectation that at the Last Day “the mountain of the house of the Lord” would be exalted and “established as the highest of the mountains” (Micah 4:1), Jesus now pronounces judgement on it and declares that it will be submerged in the sea. Sins are forgiven, redemption becomes reality, and we pass from the kingdom of this world into the kingdom of God only when we forsake everything and believe in him, when we take up our cross and follow him. Works Cited. 12 vols. I wonder if you remember a little interesting thing in verse 11. Mark 11 is the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, beginning Jesus' final week before his death as he arrives in Jerusalem for the coming Passover.It contains the stories of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, his cursing of the fig tree, his conflict with the Temple money changers, and his argument with the chief priests and elders about his authority Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Cotter, Wendy J. The fact that Jesus was hungry provides not only the immediate reason to approach the tree (a fact essential to the narrative — approaching a fruitless tree only to be disappointed would be meaningless unless someone was hungry), it is also vital to the prophetic declaration Jesus was to make. Many Markan scholars maintain that the fig tree episode is a veiled commentary on the temple while some others are skeptical. It is only through faith in the power and authority of Jesus, the One who comes in the name of the Lord, that prayer in accord with the will and purpose of God can be offered in unwavering assurance. (Verse 26, while consistent with the thought, is not considered part of the original text, and is not included in the NRSV.). “The Withering of the Fig-Tree (Mark xi. Peter remembers Jesus’ declaration against the fig tree and calls Jesus’ attention to it (21). Though it is impossible to be reconciled to God by one’s own effort, through faith in Jesus all things are possible, even reconciliation to God. The entire chapter, then, forms an elaborate a-b-c-b-a structure, a carefully constructed pericope that leads the reader to a greater understanding of Mark’s central issue: the identity and authority of Jesus. Jesus cursing the fig tree is recorded in both Matthew 21:18-22 and Mark 11:12-14, 20-25. 21:19 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. Jesus’ words were intended to instruct his disciples, and the incident, therefore, was intended to provide the opportunity to teach them and the reader. Mark often provides a reaction to Jesus’ actions and instruction —astonishment (10:51), grief (10:22), inability to understand (9:32), etc. First, we need to note that “his disciples heard it” (14c). The fig tree you cursed has withered!”, 22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. Oct 28 Mark 11:12-25 | The Lesson of the Fig Tree. 5.13; 9.42) (270). Mark 11:13. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. 20 Early # Mt 21:19-22 in the morning, as they were passing by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Let us now consider how the facts provided by Mark serve to clarify the meaning of what would otherwise be a troubling passage. 18 vols. 2 in The New International Commentary on the New Testament. In the morning, as he travels from Bethany, he spots a fig tree “in leaf.” At this point in late spring, most fig trees haven’t developed mature fruit (Mark 11:13). This miracle, which can also be classified as a parable, is recorded in more detail in Mark than in Matthew. ... 13 # Matt. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1975. Believe in the Lord, and we become “fig trees” that bear fruit we could never have borne of ourselves. Jesus enters Jerusalem amid exultation from the masses gathered for Passover. Even more, these verses should be understood in light of the entire chapter, and in light of Mark’s entire Gospel. London: A & C Black, 1991. Second, in Greco-Roman culture, the sudden withering or blossoming of any tree was considered a powerful omen of coming destruction or blessing (296). Mark 11. Lk. It gave shade, and its blossoming was a sign that winter was over. In the Jewish scriptures the people of Israel are sometimes represented as figs on a fig tree (Hosea 9:10, Jeremiah 24), or a fig tree that bears no fruit (Jeremiah 8:13), and in Micah 4:4 the age of the messiahis pictured as one in which each man would sit under his fig tree without fear; the cursing of the fig tree in Mark and Matthew and the parallel story in Luke are thus symbolically directed against the Je… He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. It was a figure of the doom upon the Jewish church, … Jer. But those who accept the identity and authority of Jesus are the ones who have faith in God. But this particular tree draws Jesus’s attention because it already has a full covering of leaves. Brown, Scott G. “Mark 11:1-12:12: A Triple Intercalation?” Study the bible online using commentary on Mark 11 and more! Its fruit, whether fresh, dried, or pressed into cakes was highly esteemed. 2 in Black’s New Testament Commentary. He resumes the fig tree story with these words, “In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. “And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet .”. As William Telford’s extensive research demonstrates, the fig tree held a special place in both Jewish and Graeco-Roman culture (Telford 277). Mark's account varies in sequence from Matthew's account as it is written in two sections: First, after departing the temple, Jesus sees the fig tree in leaf, but no fruit found, followed by cursing [Mark 11:12-14]. The leadership of Israel was barren, like the fig tree, because they refused to believe. The barren fig tree cursed, Mark 11:12-14. “The Cursing of the Fig Tree in Mark XI. In this paper, I will suggest that Mark intentionally designed the account as it stands for the purpose of intensifying the meaning of Jesus’ identity and authority, as well as declaring the fate that awaited Jerusalem. Powell, Mark Allan. These range from flatly rejecting the authenticity of the account to blaming the confusion on a problem of “misplaced clauses habitual with Mark” (Cotter 66). 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi,(J) look! In this case, the response from those who “heard it,” unlike his disciples in 14c, is to reject Jesus and look for ways to kill him. Mark 11:20-25 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? Most scholars believe that Mark was the first gospel and was used as a source by the authors of Matthew and Luke. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. THE FRUITLESS FIG TREE. 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. Although I agree with Robin’s assessment of the meaning of the passage, I do not find it necessary to conclude that there was a “misunderstanding that he was hungry.” Rather, I see the fact that Jesus was hungry as necessary to the unfolding of the lesson he was about to teach, and with Robin, as symbolic of God’s desire to find fruit on his beloved, but stripped “tree,” Israel. Mark 11:12-14; 20-21. 2 in The Daily Bible Study Series. What is the symbolic significance of this incident, given that in the Old Testament, the fig tree often serves as a metaphor for Israel? Mark 11:13 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Mark 11:13, NIV: "Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit.When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs." Loose it and bring it. Reflections on the withered fig tree, Mark 11:19-23. Although some scholars prefer to see “this mountain” (23) as referring to the Mount of Olives (Gundry 649; Lane 410), it would be consistent with the point of the passage if it refers to the temple mount, as asserted by Hooker: Whatever its origin, the inclusion of the saying at this point suggests that Mark is now interpreting it of the temple mount. Barclay, William. The fig tree that You cursed # Jms 3:9 is withered.” 24:32ff), etc. (D) 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. R. V. G. Tasker. The fact that it was not the season for figs, then, should not make Jesus appear unreasonable, as some have assumed; rather, it underscores the point of the passage: the nation has not borne fruit — its spiritual leaders are incapable of recognizing the Messiah, the temple is a den of robbers and not a house of prayer for the nations — and the Judge has arrived to pass sentence. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. “The Cursing of the Fig Tree.” Christian Century. This is what the chief priests and the scribes, by contrast, did not have. Commentary on Mark 11:12-18 (Read Mark 11:12-18) Christ looked to find some fruit, for the time of gathering figs, though it was near, was not yet come; but he found none. New International Version (NIV), Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’. Peter remembered…” (11:20-21; emphasis added). 20 vols. (Mark 11:20-22 RSV) Does that answer not strike you as strange? NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. What scholars hotly contest is just what Mark intended to communicate with his arrangement of the stories. Likewise, then, the fact that “it was not the season for figs” (13d) becomes essential to the sense of the passage. Mark. 11:12-18 Christ looked to find some fruit, for the time of gathering figs, though it was near, was not yet come; but he found none. 23 “Truly[d] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. When Jesus is walking to Jerusalem, he is hungry and finds a fig tree by the side of the road. 00:03:54 - This bible study devotional covers Mark chapters 11-12. (L) 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”(M). 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’[a]? First, Jesus is identified and hailed as the one who comes in the name of the Lord, who ushers in the kingdom of the Messiah, the son of David (1-11). The presence of this statement indicates that Jesus’ pronouncement on the tree was a teaching situation. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. Unlike the fig tree, which was incapable of bearing fruit out of season, those who know the Lord can and will bear fruit in and out of season. The account of the cleansing of the temple (15-19) illustrates the extent to which the Jewish leadership had gone in losing contact with God’s purpose for the temple and for his people Israel. If Jesus’ purpose in approaching the fig tree were simply because he was hungry, as Mark intimates, and it was not even the season for figs, which Jesus must have known before he even approached the tree, then how can he be justified in saying to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again” (14)? Mark 11:12-14 – Jesus Curses a Fig Tree. In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. We are also told that Peter “remembered,” and that he called Jesus’ attention to the withered tree, saying Jesus had “cursed” it (21), even though the word “curse” was not used in verse 14. God, like the master who gave the talents (Matt. In Mark, a day passes between the cursing of the fig tree and the disciples’ discovery of what happened to it; in Matthew, the effect is immediate. Vol. Mark’s presentation makes the connection between the incident with the fig tree and the cleansing of the Temple more explicit. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Discipleship, Spiritual Growth, and Christian Living, John the Baptist Prepares the Way for Jesus, Everyone Must Die! Mark 11:11-26 . (Mark 11:12-14) Later ‘that’ day the account goes on to say that he went to the temple and cast the money changers and merchandisers out, turning over their tables. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984. The sea was the place of destruction (cf. He made this fig-tree an example, not to the trees, but to the men of that generation. For any variety of reasons, primarily their desire to hold on to what was most valuable to them, they would not accept the identity and authority of Jesus as Messiah and Lord. Vol. The tree is not in trouble, the nation is. Cole, R. Alan. (H), 19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples[c] went out of the city. Jesus was hungry (12). Vol. 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. A close look at these accounts provides insights regarding why Jesus chose to curse this fig tree. 9:10, 16; Joel 1:7; Micah 7:1-6), while the destruction of the fig tree is associated with judgment (Hos. The impossible becomes possible through faith in the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Intro: We are walking with Jesus and His disciples through the last week of His earthly life.It is amazing that Jesus was able to pack so much activity into a seven day period of time. The Gospels: Mark 11:12-16 – The Fig Tree and the Temple Jesus’ cursing of the unfruitful fig tree presents Christians with a dilemma unique in the Gospels. Hooker, Morna D. The Gospel According to St. Mark. THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY In fact, to have faith in God is to accept the identity and authority of Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1976. Jesus quotes Isaiah 56:7, pointing out that the temple is to be a house of prayer for all peoples (17). The tree is being used as a symbol, not the object itself, of the judgment. The scribes and chief priests are enraged, Mark 11:18. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1993. Sign up here! Furthermore, the general corruption of the High Priesthood and the religious leadership is evidenced by the fact that they responded to Jesus’ zeal for the sanctity of the temple by deciding to kill him (18)—the supreme declaration of their refusal to accept his identity and authority. After the worshipful coronation, that triumphal entry, Jesus “went into the temple. 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. With that expectation, Jesus in… The focus is, rather, on the nation, the temple, the Jewish leadership. He accomplished much during those seven days and not a single moment was wasted by our Lord. Its sap was used in the production of cheese. 48 (1986): 62-66. To gain a deeper insight into the prophetic symbolism of Jesus’ action, we must now turn briefly to the significance of the fig tree in Jewish and Roman culture. But when He reached it, He found nothing on it except leaves, since it was not the season for figs. Gundry, Robert H. Mark: A Commentary on His Apology for the Cross. It’s an early bloomer. Once we recognize that the fig tree incident is recorded as a teaching situation, the lesson of which is given in the events and sayings of Jesus in the following verses, the reasons for Mark’s letting the reader know that Jesus was hungry (12), that he knew the distant fig tree was in leaf (13), and that it was not the season for figs (14), begin to come into focus. say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway … He cleanses the temple, Mark 11:15-17. Gen. Ed. The cursing of the fig tree, then, is not a strange and unexplainable aberration in Jesus’ character, nor in Mark’s Gospel, but a powerful and culturally meaningful pronouncement of judgment against the people who should have borne fruit by accepting their Messiah, but instead had rejected him. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. THE BARREN FIG TREE CURSED WITH LESSONS FROM IT--SECOND CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE, ON THE SECOND AND THIRD DAYS OF THE WEEK. Mark. Upon coming to the tree expecting to find something to eat, Jesus instead discovered that the fig tree had no fruit on it and cursed the tree saying, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” (Matthew 21:19; Mark 11:14). For articles about Matthew, Luke, or John see www.gci.org/gospels. All rights reserved worldwide. Chapter 11, therefore, is consistent with the overall focus of the Gospel of Mark: the identity and authority of Jesus. Its leaves and other parts provided medicines. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1974. Then Mark adds the confounding clause, “for it was not the season for figs” (13d). 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. Next Verse >. 25:14-30), expects what he has given to be put to use in his service to bring honor and glory to him. This a-b-a structure makes evident the connection between the fig tree and the temple (Lane 400). Perhaps of greatest significance, however, in Jesus’ selection of a fig tree as the symbol of Israel’s judgment are three other factors: First, in Greco-Roman culture the fig tree was associated with various deities, primarily the tree god Dionysus (284). On His way, both Matthew and Mark record that He was hungry and saw a fig tree in the distance that had leaves on it (Mark 11:13). New York: Oxford University Press, 1989. 20 In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. The sections of this chapter are devoted to: the triumphal entry (Mark 11:1-11), withering of the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14 and Mark 20:25), the second cleansing of the temple (Mark 11:15-19), and the question concerning the authority of Jesus (Mark 11:27-33). They were prepared to kill the Messiah. As Cole observes, “Like tree, like temple, like nation; the parallel is exact” (177). Christ rides triumphantly into Jerusalem, Mark 11:1-11. 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. When Jesus made the statement to the tree, Mark notes that “his disciples heard it” (14c). Picking up the story in verse 20, after the cleansing of the temple, we find that the fig tree had not only withered away, but had withered away to its roots (20). Note: The fruit of the fig tree appears around the same time as the leaves, or a little after. ( = Matthew 21:12-22 Luke 19:45-48 ). Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts( A) ( B) ( C) 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He expects faith in the one he has sent, and this life-changing faith is the fruit for which he is looking! Whatever is asked in faith, without doubting, will be granted, so long as it is within the context of God’s goodness and sovereignty. Unless indicated otherwise, all scripture quotations on this website are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. What is Narrative Criticism? At a distance, Jesus sees a fig tree with leaves, and being hungry, He approaches it hoping to find some fruit, since a fig tree often produces figs earlier than it produces foliage. There is no question that Jesus had in mind the fig tree as a symbol of the nation and its leaders in accordance with the Old Testament prophets, nor that Jesus did, on occasion, indicate a passage of Scripture by quoting its opening words (as in Mark 15:34), but I would expect to find in the text the actual quotation of the opening words if that is what Mark intended. Hull, Jr., Roger. The fig tree was used elsewhere in scripture symbolically for leaders (Judges 9:10-11), fortifications (Nahum 3:12), in parables (Matt. The central issue is twofold: 1) no fruit can be borne unless one recognizes and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Master and 2) to accept Jesus Christ is to bear fruit for God. The structure of this pericope is then concluded by the account of the chief priests’, scribes’ and elders’ refusal to accept Jesus’ authority (27-33). 11. Jesus was not out to condemn a non-bearing tree; he was pronouncing judgment against the religious barrenness of the nation. 84 (1967); 1429-1431. Birdsall, J. Neville. Therefore, Mark makes plain that it was not the season for figs. Read Mark 11 commentary using Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). Its foliage signals that it should have early figs. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 48 (1981); 264-304. In this context the fig tree symbolizes Israel in Jesus’ day, and what happens to the tree the terrible fate that inevitably awaited Jerusalem (400). 21 Then Peter # Lk 6:14; Ac 10:32 remembered and said to Him, “Rabbi, # Jn 11:8 look! (K) 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. He made this fig-tree an example, not to the trees, but to the men of that generation. What was Jesus hungry to find on the fig tree? Jesus’ cursing of the unfruitful fig tree presents Christians with a dilemma unique in the Gospels. “For It Was Not the Season for Figs.” The Catholic Bible Quarterly. 18 vols. (I), 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Next, Jesus and his disciples pass by the fig tree on the way back to Jerusalem and find that Jesus’ declaration that no one would eat fruit of it again had become reality, which leads to instruction about faith, prayer and forgiveness (20-26). A Hypothesis.” New Testament Studies 8 (1962); 276-281. Telford, William R. “More Fruit from the Withered Tree.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament. The first three verses of this section form the second part of the story of the fig tree (11:12–14), which sandwiches the account of the cleansing of the temple. And Peter remembered and said to him, "Master, look! The unexpected and incongruous character of Jesus’ action in looking for figs at a season when no fruit could be found would stimulate curiosity and point beyond the incident to its deeper significance (400). The question, however, is implied: “What is the meaning of this?” (There is no need here to answer the question, “How did you do that?” although what follows also answers that question. Faith in Jesus requires a heart of humility that forgives its neighbor, not the hateful and unforgiving heart of the chief priests and scribes. In this passage, we read about Jesus’ triumphal entry, him cursing the fig tree, and disrupt… The only thing that awaits those who will not accept his authority, who will not believe in him and follow him, is judgment — complete destruction, “from the roots.” Conversely, what awaits those who believe in him, who forgive as they are forgiven, who, only through faith in him, are able to remove all obstacles and barriers to true life, is eternal communion with God and all the saints — from every nation — gathered in triumphal joy in the spiritual temple that shall never need cleansing. Another view of why Mark points out that Jesus was hungry is suggested by A. de Q. Robin in connection with Micah 7:1-6: It is quite conceivable that seeing the fig tree brought this Micah passage to the mind of Jesus and in accordance with the Rabbinic practice of indicating a passage of scripture by quoting its opening words, he was heard by the disciples to say: “My soul desires the first ripe fig.” This could quite easily lead to the misunderstanding that he was hungry, when in fact he was commenting on the state of the nation and its leaders, before pronouncing the judgement of God upon them first in the symbolical action of cursing the fig tree, then in the cleansing of the Temple (280). Jesus and his disciples were walking from Bethany (12), where they had spent the night (11), toward Jerusalem (15). Mark 11:13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if there was any fruit on it. 8:13; 29:17; Hos. 2:12; Isa. 2 in The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Yet, the High Priest had instituted the practice of selling sacrificial animals and ritually pure items in the Court of the Gentiles, a practice which made it impossible for the gentiles to worship there (Lane 404-407). As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God." Then, without apparent transition, Mark says Jesus “answered” them (though no question is posed) by giving instruction about faith that can remove mountains (22-26)—another enigmatic passage for many Christians, which we shall comment about later. See How They All Connect. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! NIV, Storyline Bible, Comfort Print: Each Story Plays a Part. Before we consider the answer to that question, we need to take note of additional facts provided by Mark. In contrast, we find Jesus again teaching immediately after he cleansed the temple (17), and Mark tells the reader that “when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they were looking for a way to kill him” (18). He then enters the temple and cleanses it, acting within his authority as Messiah, and the chief priests and the scribes reject him and begin looking for ways to kill him (15-19). 8 in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Jesus’ answer is simply the encouraging admonition: “Have faith in God.” He points them to “quiet confidence in the power and goodness of God” (Lane 410). Vol.
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