Bible Commentaries

As they came near Jerusalem. On the Sunday before the Lord's death. He had been at Bethany during the Sabbath [Saturday]. All four Gospels tell this. See notes. on Matthew 21:1-11.

1-12. Then Jesus spoke to them in parables. Matthew gives more detail about this series of parables which outline the sins and doom of the unbelieving Jews. [The Jews who believed (Acts 21:20) were not included in this doom.] There was a man who planted a vineyard. See notes on Matthew 21:33-46.

He went out to Bethany with the twelve disciples. After the Triumphant Entry, Jesus goes on into the city and visits the temple. He then leaves and spends the night in Bethany. As far as we know he spent each night in Bethany during this last week, except for Thursday night. He may have done this to stay away from the Jewish leaders. Also, he had loving friends at Bethany, and being there would allow him to spend this time in rest and conversation with the twelve.

Jesus was hungry. Even though it was not the right time for figs, the leaves should not have been there, unless there were figs on the tree. See notes on Matthew 21:12-22.

Jesus went to the temple. He made the temple "ritually pure" at both the beginning (John 2:13-22) and the end of his public teaching ministry. See notes on Matthew 21:12-17.

20-24. It was dead all the way down to its roots. Mark tells that this took place early next morning, the day following the cursing of the fig tree. This was symbolic of what would happen to the part of the Jewish nation who rejected Christ. See notes on Matthew 21:19-22. Believe that you have received it. Confidence is evidence of faith. Read James 1:6-8. See notes on Matthew 21:20-22.

25. And when you stand praying, forgive. Forgiveness is a condition of prayer. See notes on Matthew 5:23-24. Also see the parable in Matthew 18:21-35.

They came back to Jerusalem. This would be on Tuesday. Jesus made his official entrance on Sunday (the Triumphant Entry). He purified the temple, and cursed the fig tree, both on Monday, On Tuesday, the disciples pointed out the dead fig tree, and Jesus again went into the city of Jerusalem. There he met a group of Jewish leaders, who challenged his actions of making the temple ritually pure. See notes on Matthew 21:23-27.