Having spent the night in nearby Bethany, Jesus and his disciples head for the temple. On the way, Jesus finds a fig tree in leaf, but no fruit present. He curses the tree-symbolic of a people that are clearly enjoying nourishment but yielding no fruit.
The Fig Tree.
“The presence of a fruitful fig tree was considered to be a symbol of blessing and prosperity for the nation of Israel. Likewise, the absence or death of a fig tree would symbolize judgment and rejection. Symbolically, the fig tree represented the spiritual deadness of Israel, who while very religious outwardly with all the sacrifices and ceremonies, were spiritually barren because of their sins. By cleansing the Temple and cursing the fig tree, causing it to whither and die, Jesus was pronouncing His coming judgment of Israel and demonstrating His power to carry it out. It also teaches the principle that religious profession and observance are not enough to guarantee salvation, unless there is the fruit of genuine salvation evidenced in the life of the person. James would later echo this truth when he wrote that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The lesson of the fig tree is that we should bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), not just give an appearance of religiosity. God judges fruitlessness, and expects that those who have a relationship with Him will “bear much fruit” (John 15:5-8).” (Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? – Article)
Upon entering the temple area, Jesus began driving out the vendors and others that were making a marketplace of God’s house. This was yet another reason the chief priests and teachers of the law looked for a way to kill him; but they feared Jesus “because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”
Mark 11:12-18 (Español)
“The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard him say it. On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and begun driving out those who were buying and selling there. he overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, ‘ Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘den of robbers.’ The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”
Herodian Temple
(Money Changers would have been located in the ‘Court of the Gentiles’)
Modern Day
