Mark 11:20-12:44

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 11:12-26

Here is, I. Christ's cursing the fruitless fig-tree. He had a convenient resting-place at Bethany, and therefore thither he went at resting-time; but his work lay at Jerusalem, and thither therefore he returned in the morning, at working-time; and so intent was he upon his work, that he went out from Bethany without breakfast, which, before he was gone far, he found the want of, and was hungry (Mark 11:12), for he was subject to all the sinless infirmities of our nature. Finding himself in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 11:20

And in the morning, as they passed by ,.... The fig tree; when they returned the next morning from Bethany, or the Mount of Olives, or the place, wherever it was, they had been that night: they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots ; they did not see it immediately wither as it did, nor could they see it, as they went from Jerusalem to this place, because it was then in the evening; but in the morning, as they came along, they observed it; not only that the tender branches and boughs... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 11:11-25

The barren fig tree. How changed is the scene! The great King entered into the royal city, and the great High Priest into the holy temple. Then—O significant words!—"he looked round about upon all things." Alas, what scenes caught those calm eyes! in the eventide he left Jerusalem, accompanied only by the twelve. On the morrow,, returning again to Jerusalem from Bethany, where he had spent the night, "he hungered." A mere touch of the pen discloses a link of connection between him and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 11:12-20

The destruction of the fig tree. I. THE SUFFICIENT REASON FOR THE ACT . 1 . Not an outcome of petulance or disappointment. The idea of Christ being "in a temper" is preposterous! The difficulty as to the phrases, "if haply he might find anything thereon," and "he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs," is for the most part factitious and artificial. Our Lord was not mistaken—first expectant and then disappointed. "He came to the tree, not for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 11:12-25

The fruit of the fruitless fig tree. This action of our Lord Jesus is one of the very few he is recorded to have performed to which exception has been taken. It has been objected that the "cursing" of the fig tree was a vindictive act, and unlike and unworthy of the gracious and beneficent Redeemer. In answer to this objection, a distinction must be drawn between a vindictive and a judicial proceeding; the latter having no element of personal irritation or ill feeling. It must not be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 11:12-26

Parallel passages: Matthew 21:12-22 ; Luke 19:45-48 .— The blighting of the barren fig tree. I. SYMBOLISM . 1 . Miracles of mercy. Mercy has been called God's darling attribute; judgment is his strange work. The only-begotten Son, who has declared the Father unto us, has manifested the selfsame character. His miracles are miracles of mercy—all save two. Of these two, one was permissive and punitive, when our Lord allowed the devils to enter into the swine of the Gadarenes;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 11:20-21

And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots . They had returned the evening before, probably after sunset, to Bethany; and so, in the twilight, had not noticed the withered tree. St. Matthew gathers the whole account of the fig tree into one notice. St. Mark disposes of the facts in their chronological order. It was on the Monday morning, the day after the triumphant entry, and when they were on their way to Jerusalem, that our Lord cursed the fig... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 11:20-26

The witthered tree. I. DESTRUCTION MAY SERVE THE PURPOSES OF LIFE . Here the fig tree is destroyed for the sake of a lesson to the spirit. Much lower life is destroyed from day to day that the higher may be preserved. II. THE INCIDENT ILLUSTRATES THE RESERVE OF CHRIST 'S MIRACULOUS POWER . He could destroy; that was evident. But he came not to destroy, but to save. And while he lavished his power upon the sick and suffering, to heal, cheer, and deliver,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 11:11-26

See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 21:18-22.Mark 11:11Into the temple - Not into the edifice properly called “the temple,” but into the “courts” which surrounded the principal edifice. Our Saviour, not being of the tribe of Levi, was not permitted to enter into the holy or most holy place; and when, therefore, it is said that he went into the “temple,” it is always to be understood of the “courts” surrounding the temple. See the notes at Matthew 21:12.And when he had looked... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 11:20-21

Mark 11:20-21 . And in the morning, they passed by, &c. Next morning, as they were returning to Jerusalem, it astonished the disciples not a little when they looked on the fig-tree that had been pronounced barren the night before, and found it dried up from the roots, that is, quite withered down to the ground and shrunk: a miracle the more extraordinary, because the fig-tree is remarkable for its abundant sap and moisture. Peter, in particular, expressed great surprise at it, ... read more

Group of Brands