Matthew 21:1-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:18-22

The omnipotence of faith. The miracles of Jesus were generally miracles of mercy. There are a few exceptions. Conspicuous amongst these is the withering of the fig tree with a word. When the disciples marvelled Jesus expounded to them his astonishing doctrine of the power of faith. We learn— I. THAT BELIEVING IS ESSENTIAL TO PREVAILING PRAYER . 1 . There can be no prayer without faith in a personal God. 2 . There can be no prayer without faith in a Person... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:19

When he saw a ( μι ì αν , a single ) fig tree in the way. The tree stood all alone in a conspicuous situation by the roadside, as if courting observation. It was allowable to pluck and eat fruit in an orchard ( Deuteronomy 23:24 , Deuteronomy 23:25 ); but this tree, placed where it was, seemed to be common property, belonging to no private owner. The sight of the leaves thereon, as St. Mark tells us, attracted the notice of Christ, who beheld with pleasure the prospect of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:19

The fruitless fig tree. We may wonder how Jesus could have hungered during the short walk over the Mount of Olives from Bethany, if he had just left the hospitable roof of Martha. Had she taken his mild rebuke too literally when she was busying herself in providing a bountiful table on a former occasion? Or may we not think with more probability that Jesus, who was an early riser, had left the house before breakfast? If so, this would have been a trial to Martha; but it would have shown her... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:19

The tree type of the hypocrite. "Found nothing thereon, but leaves only." The attempted explanations of the condition of this fig tree bewilder us. Some say our Lord expected to find some stray figs on the tree left from the last harvest. Others say that, as he saw leaves, he naturally expected fruit, because the figs appear on the trees before the fruit. We must suppose that it was the custom to eat green figs, for it is certain that at this season of the year the fresh figs could not be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:20

They marvelled, saying. The apostles' remark on the incident was made on the Tuesday, as we learn from St. Mark's more accurate account. After Christ had spoken his malediction, the little band went on their way to Jerusalem, where was performed the cleansing of the temple. On their return to Bethany, if they passed the tree, it was doubtless too dark to observe its present condition, and it was not till the next morning that they noticed what had happened. St. Matthew does not name the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:21

Jesus answered. To the apostles' question the Lord makes reply, drawing a lesson, not such as we should have expected, but one of quite a different nature, yet one which was naturally deduced from the transaction which had excited such astonishment. They marvelled at this incident; let them have and exercise faith. and they should do greater things than this. Christ had already made a similar answer after the cure of the demoniac boy ( Matthew 17:20 , where see note). If ye have faith,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:22

All things. The promise is extended beyond the sphere of extraordinary miracles. In prayer; ἐν τῇ προσευχῇ : in the prayer ; or, in your prayer. The use of the article may point to the prayer given by our Lord to his disciples, or to some definite form used from the earliest times in public worship (comp. Acts 1:14 ; Romans 12:12 ; 1 Corinthians 7:5 ; Colossians 4:2 ). Believing, ye shall receive. The condition for the success of prayer is stringent. A man must... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:22

The boundless possibilities of prayer. Read literally, this is a very difficult verse. We cannot see how it is verified in experience. We should be horrified at its exact and verbal fulfilment, because this would be handing over the control of the universe to the praying mortal. The coachman would not put the reins in the hands of his infant son, however much the child begged for them; yet the disaster which would follow such an action would be nothing in comparison with the unspeakable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:22

Believing, the condition of acceptable prayer. The immediate lesson which Christ drew from the incident was not taken from the tree—that lesson he left the disciples to think out for themselves—but from their surprise at the result which followed his words. Our Lord seems always to have spoken of prayer in a large, general, and comprehensive way; and yet we may always discern some intimation of the qualifications and limitations which must always condition answer to human prayer. It is true... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 21:23

When he was come into the temple . The conversation recorded here belongs to the Tuesday of the Holy Week, and took place in the courts of the temple, at this time filled with pilgrims from all parts of the world, who hung upon Christ's words, and beheld his doings with wonder and awe. This sight roused to fury the envy and anger of the authorities, and they sent forth sections of their cleverest men to undermine his authority in the eyes of the people, or to force from him statements on... read more

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