Mark 11:13

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

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 11:12-14

11:12-14,20-21 When, on the next day, they were coming out from Bethany, Jesus was hungry. From a distance he saw a fig-tree in leaf, and he went to it to see if he would find anything on it. When he came to it he found nothing except leaves, for it was not yet the season of figs. He said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you for ever." And the disciples heard him say it.... When they were going along the road early in the morning, they saw the fig-tree withered from the roots. Peter... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 11:13

And seeing a fig tree afar off ,.... By the wayside, at some distance from him: having leaves ; very large and spreading, which made a great show, as if there might be fruit on it: he came ; unto it; either he went out of his way to it, or having seen it before him a good way off, at length came up to it if haply he might find any thing thereon ; that is, any fruit; for he saw at a distance, there were leaves upon it; and which was the more remarkable, since it was the time of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 11:13

For the time of figs was not yet - Rather, For it was not the season of gathering figs yet. This I am fully persuaded is the true sense of this passage, ου γαρ ην καιρος συκων . For a proof that καιρος here signifies the time of gathering the figs, see the Lxx. in Psalm 1:3 . He bringeth forth his fruit, εν καιρω αυτου , in his season; i.e. in the time in which fruit should be ripe, and fit for gathering. See also Mark 12:2 ; : - And at the season, τῳ καιρῳ , the time of... 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 11:12-19

God's house vindicated. THE TEMPLE WAS DESIGNED AS A RELIGIOUS CENTRE FOR THE NATIONS . It contains the idea of the Divine house, and therefore of the home for all men. II. THE ASSOCIATIONS SHOULD BE SUCH AS BECOME THE PLACE . "Peace and purity should be maintained in the service of God." The Church should be like the home. The associates of traffic and the passions it excites should be shut out. "Let vain and busy thoughts have there no part; ... 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 11:13

And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon . St. Matthew ( Matthew 21:19 ) says he saw "one fig tree" ( μὶαν συκῆν ), and therefore more conspicuous. Fig trees were no doubt plentiful in the neighborhood of Bethphage, "the house of figs." Dean Stanley says that "Mount Olivet is still sprinkled with fig trees." This fig tree had leaves, but no fruit; for it was not the season of figs ( ὁ γὰρ καιρὸς οὐκ ἧν σύκων ) . Other... read more

Group of Brands