The barren Fig-tree. The cleansing of the Temple
§ 113 · Bethany, Jerusalem
Part VII · Our Lord's public entry into Jerusalem, and the subsequent transactions before the fourth Passover
Matthew
Matthew 21:18–19
18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Mark
Mark 11:12–19
12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. 15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. 18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. 19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.
Luke
Luke 21:37–38
37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. 38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.
Note
Robinson sets Matthew’s and Luke’s cleansing of the temple beside Mark’s, on the day after the Entry. As Passion Week has it, there were two cleansings: Matthew and Luke tell of one on the day of the Entry (Matthew 21:12; Luke 19:45), and Mark of another “on the morrow” (Mark 11:12, 15).
In Passion Week
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The Fig Tree Cursed
Monday, the 12th
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He Cleanses the Temple Again
Monday, the 12th
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He Goes Out of the City
Monday, the 12th · Evening
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On the Mount of Olives: The Signs of His Coming
Tuesday, the 13th
From Edward Robinson’s Harmony of the Four Gospels (1846).
