Mark 11:18

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 11:15-19

11:15-19 They came into Jerusalem, and when Jesus had come into the sacred precincts, he began to cast out those who sold and bought in the sacred place, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves, and he would not allow that anyone should carry their gear through the sacred precincts. The burden of his teaching and speaking was, "Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a brigands' cave?"... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 11:18

And the Scribes and chief priests heard it ,.... The reproof he gave to the money changers, and buyers, and sellers in the temple; and his strict prohibition that none should carry any vessels through it; and the argument he used from the prophecy of Isaiah, and the sharp rebuke he gave for the profanation of the holy place: and sought how they might destroy him : they took counsel together to take away his life, for they hated reformation: for they feared him ; lest he should go on... 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 11:15-18

The holy house. It is significant that our Lord should have performed the authoritative and symbolical act of cleansing the temple twice—at the commencement, and again at the close, of his ministry. We learn that no real reformation had taken place in the religious habits of the chief priests and the people who frequented the holy place; they continued to practice the abuses which had been already so justly and so sternly rebuked. And we learn also that Jesus, although hated and despised... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 11:15-18

The cleansing of the temple. Jesus came to "bear witness unto the truth." One truth was the sanctity of that "house of prayer" which was opened for "all the nations." But have the rightful guardians of that house preserved for it this sacredness, that the feet of the wearied and the heart of the sorrowful of all nations might be allured within its hallowed walls, where in humble penitence and prayer, and with strong cries to the God of heaven and earth, they might find rest and peace and... read more

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