10/07/2024 – Day 106 – Mark – Chapters 11 & 12 / Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? Mark 11: 12 – 26
Last cycle, our post on this reading focused heavily on 12:28: The scribe asking Jesus which is the most important commandment. Barclay provides a fascinating background commentary, so if you are interested, you can go to the post dated 06/13/2022.
Today, my post here is focusing on the cursing of the fig tree. I’m going to bring in Matthew Henry’s commentary on this entire section, found on pages # 1391 and #1392, and perhaps you will find it as inciteful as I did:
Verses 12 – 26
“1. Christ’s cursing the fruitless fig-tree. He returned in the morning, at working-time; and so intent was he upon his work, that he went out from Bethany without breakfast, and was hungry (v. 12). He went to a fig-tree, being well adorned with green leaves which he hoped to find enriched with some fruit . But he found nothing but leaves; he hoped to find some fruit, for though the time of gathering in figs was near, it was not yet. There was not so much as one fig to found upon it., thou it was so full of leaves. However, Christ was willing to make an example of it, not to the trees, but to the men. of that generation, and therefore cursed it. He said unto it, Never let any man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever, v. 14. This was intended to be a type and figure of the doom passed upon the Jewish church, to which he came, seeking fruit, but found none (Luke 8: 6.7). The disciples heard what sentence Christ passed on this tree and took notice of it. Woe from Christ’s mouth are to be observed and kept in mind, as well as blessings.
… III. His discourse with his disciples , upon occasion of the fig-tree’s withering away. At even, as usual, he went out of the city (v. 19) to Bethany. The next morning, as they passed by, they observed the fig-tree dried up from the roots, v. 20. The curse was no more than that it should never bear fruit again, but the effect goes further, it is dried up from the roots. If it bear no fruit, it shall bear no leaves to cheat people.
- How the disciples were affected by it. Peter remembered Christ’s words, and said, with surprise, Master, behold, the fig-tree which though cursedest is withered away, v. 21. Christ’s curses have wonderful effects, and make those to wither that flourished like the Green Bay-tree. And this seemed very strange to the disciples. They could not imagine how that fig-tree should so soon with away; but this comes of rejecting Christ, and being rejected by him.
- The good instructions Christ gave them from it; for of those even this withered tree was fruitful. (1) Christ teachers them from hence to pray in faith (v. 22); Have faith in God. They admired the power of Christ’s word of command; ‘Why,’ saith Christ, ‘lively active faith would put as great a power into your prayers, v. 23, 24. Whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be removed, and be cast into the sea: and if he shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith,’ Through difficulty shall he got over, and the thing shall be effected. And therefore (v. 24), ‘What things soever ye desire, when ye pray believe that ye shall receive them; nay, believe that ye do receive them, and he that has power to give them, saith, Ye shall have them. I say unto you, Ye shall, v. 24. Verily, I say unto you, Ye shall., v. 23. Now this is to be applied, [1]. To that faith of miracles which the apostles and first preachers of the gospel were endued with. [2]. It may be applied to that miracle of faith, which all true Christians are endued with. It justifies us (Romans 5:1), and so removes mountains of guilt, and casts them into the depths of the sea. It purifies the heart (Acts 15:9), and so removes mountains of corruption. It is by faith that the world is conquered, Satan’s fiery darts are quenched, a soul is crucified with Christ, and yet lives. (2). To this is added here that necessary qualifications of the prevailing prayer, that we freely forgive, and be in charity with all men. (v. 25, 26); When ye stand praying, forgive. When we are at prayer, we must remember to pray for others, particularly for our enemies, and those that have wronged us. If we have injured others before we pray, we must go and be reconciled to them, Matthew v. 23,24. But if they have injured us, we go a nearer way to work, and must immediately from our hearts forgive them; because this is a good step towards obtaining the pardon of our sins; Forgive, that your Father may forgive you; because the want of this is a certain but to the pardoning of your sins; ‘If ye do not forgive, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’
This ought to be remembered in prayer, because one great errand we have to the throne of grace is, to pray for the pardon of our sins. Our Saviour often insists on this, for it was his great design to engage his disciples to love one another.”
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Soli Deo Gloria!