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
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
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
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
Jesus cleansing the temple. A second occasion; the first occurring at the beginning of his ministry ( John 2:13-17 ). A fulfillment of Malachi 3:1 , Malachi 3:2 . I. THERE IS A TENDENCY IN THE MOST SACRED INSTITUTIONS TO DECAY AND ABUSE . Most of the abominations swept away by Christ had their origin in immemorial custom, and the demands of the worshippers themselves. Traffic came to assume a religious character, and gain was excused on account of... read more
And when even was come; literally, and whenever ( ὅταν ) evening came; that is, every evening. During these last days before his crucifixion, he remained in Jerusalem during the day, and went back to Bethany at night. St. Matthew says ( Matthew 21:17 ), speaking of one of these days, "And he left them, and went forth out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there." So true it was that "he came unto his own, and his own received him not." No one in that city, which he loved so well,... read more
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
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
Have faith in God ; literally, have the faith of God— full, perfect, effectual faith in him; faith like a grain of mustard seed. You may be staggered and perplexed at what you will see shortly; but "have faith in God." The Jews may seem for a time to flourish like that green fig tree; but they will "soon be cut down as the grass, and be withered as the green herb." What seems difficult to you is easy with God. Trust in the Divine omnipotence. The things which are impossible with men are... read more
Obtenha o versículo bíblico diário todos os dias na sua caixa de entrada!
Leia no celular
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