Mark

By Joyce Webb 2023

Chapter 11 Verse 12-19

Verse 12 Jesus and the disciples have come to Bethany.

Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree. When he was near to the tree —he saw that there were no figs on it.

The Bible verse says–”it was not time for the figs yet.”
(Some Bible teachers think that this meant—-it was not the time for gathering figs yet. Jesus is here at the tree on a Monday before Passover. The gathering of figs did not happen until Passover.

Whatever Jesus meant by that sentence—I guess we really do not know for sure.
If the tree had leaves, it is possible that it could have had some fruit on it. But it had no fruit—only leaves.)

Verse 14 Jesus said to the tree—”No man will eat fruit from you ever.”
The disciples heard what Jesus said to the tree.

( It seems that there was some reason Jesus could expect that there might be some fruit on the tree.
But there was none. Only leaves.

This seems to be a “lesson” for the disciples.
A fruit tree that does not grow fruit has missed it reason for being. It is a disappointment.

A Christian—follower of Christ—-who does not grow “fruit” is a disappointment and has missed his mission and has not followed the teachings of Jesus.

Christians are to show in their lives the “fruit” of the spirit—-love, joy, peace, patience, self-control—also telling others about Jesus and forgiveness of sin.

If Christians do not have these things in their life—they are a disappointment and do not add anything to help the kingdom of God.

There is an old hymn (church song) that says:
“Nothing but leaves for the Master.
O, how His loving heart grieves.
When instead of the fruit he is seeking,
We offer Him nothing but leaves.”

Verse 15 Jesus and his disciples now come to Jerusalem.

Jesus went into the temple. He saw in the open areas—men at tables selling things for the Passover.

There were tables where you could exchange your money for the kind of coins used in that part of Israel. There were tables to buy animals (doves, birds) for sacrifices.
Maybe they were selling other things.

Jesus became very upset and angry over all the buying, and selling, and noise—-like it was a market—-all being done in the temple.

Jesus said, “It is written (in the scriptures) “My house shall be called —of all nations— the house of prayer.”—-but you have made it a den of thieves.”

(Jesus knew that many of the men selling things were not honest and were cheating people.)
Jesus chased the men out of the temple.

Verse 18 When the Jewish leaders saw what Jesus did—they became angry. They began to plan how they could destroy Jesus.

They were afraid to do anything to him in front of the people.
Because the people wanted to hear Jesus and they were amazed at the things he did.

Verse 19 When it was evening, Jesus went out of the city.