Withered Fig Tree and the Cleansing of the Temple
Mark 11:12-19
Mark.11.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- επαυριον: ADV
- εξελθοντων: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- απο: PREP
- Βηθανιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- επεινασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 21:18-19 (verbal): Parallel narrative in Matthew: on the following day Jesus is hungry, sees a fig tree with leaves but no fruit, and curses it — same sequence as Mark.
- Mark 11:20-21 (structural): Immediate continuation in Mark: the next morning the disciples notice the fig tree has withered, showing the outcome of the episode that began with Jesus' hunger.
- Luke 13:6-9 (thematic): Parable of the barren fig tree: uses a fig tree as a symbol of fruitlessness and impending judgment, thematically linked to the cursing of the fig tree.
- Matthew 12:33 (thematic): Teaching that a tree is known by its fruit — the motif of fruitfulness and judgment underlies the fig-tree episode and Jesus' action when he finds no fruit.
Alternative generated candidates
- And on the following day, when they had gone out from Bethany, he was hungry.
- And on the next day, when they had gone out from Bethany, he was hungry.
Mark.11.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ιδων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- συκην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- απο: PREP
- μακροθεν: ADV
- εχουσαν: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,sg,f
- φυλλα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- αρα: PART
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ευρησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ελθων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- επ᾽αυτην: PREP
- ουδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- ευρεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- φυλλα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- καιρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- συκων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- Matthew 21:18-22 (verbal): Almost identical narrative: Jesus finds a leafy fig tree with no fruit and notes it was not the season for figs; the episode continues with the cursing and a teaching on faith.
- Mark 11:20-25 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation in Mark: the disciples find the tree withered the next day and Jesus uses the event to teach about prayer, faith, and forgiveness—showing the consequence of fruitlessness.
- Luke 13:6-9 (thematic): Parable of the barren fig tree: owner threatens to cut down a non‑fruiting tree unless it bears fruit after care—shares the theme of expectation of fruit and impending judgment for barrenness.
- John 15:1-8 (thematic): Vine and branches metaphor: Jesus teaches that branches must bear fruit or be removed—theological parallel stressing the necessity of fruitfulness and divine judgment on unfruitfulness.
- Isaiah 5:1-7 (thematic): The Song of the Vineyard depicts God’s expectation of fruit from Israel and judgment when it yields worthless produce—an OT analogue using agricultural imagery to express divine judgment for spiritual unfruitfulness.
Alternative generated candidates
- And seeing from a distance a fig tree having leaves, he went to see if perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
- And seeing a fig tree in the distance with leaves, he went to see if perhaps he might find anything on it; and when he came to it he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
Mark.11.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτη·Μηκετι: PRON,dat,sg,f+ADV
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αιωνα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- μηδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- καρπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- φαγοι: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ηκουον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 21:19 (verbal): Parallel account of Jesus cursing the fig tree — similar wording and outcome (tree withers), same episode in the Synoptic tradition.
- Mark 11:20-21 (structural): Immediate sequel in Mark's narrative showing the fruitless fig tree found withered the next day, linking the curse to its fulfillment.
- Luke 13:6-9 (thematic): Parable of the barren fig tree: theme of impending judgment on unfruitfulness and the divine patience/offering of one more chance before removal.
- John 15:1-8 (thematic): Vine and branches metaphor emphasizing the necessity of bearing fruit and the consequence of being cut off for unfruitfulness—similar motif of judgment tied to fruitlessness.
- Isaiah 5:1-7 (allusion): Song of the vineyard/expectation of fruit from God's planting but receiving worthless produce—prophetic precedent for judgment on a fruitless people/land.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he answered and said to it, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again.' And his disciples heard it.
- And Jesus answered and said to it, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again.' And his disciples heard it.
Mark.11.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ερχονται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- Ιεροσολυμα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- εισελθων: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ιερον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ηρξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- εκβαλλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- πωλουντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αγοραζοντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ιερω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- τραπεζας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- κολλυβιστων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- καθεδρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πωλουντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- περιστερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- κατεστρεψεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 21:12-13 (structural): Synoptic parallel: Matthew records Jesus driving out the buyers and sellers, overturning money changers' tables and quoting scripture about the temple as a house of prayer and a den of robbers.
- Luke 19:45-46 (structural): Synoptic parallel: Luke gives a similar account of Jesus cleansing the temple, emphasizing his expulsion of merchants and citation of scripture about proper use of the temple.
- John 2:13-16 (thematic): Non-synoptic parallel: John describes a temple cleansing by Jesus (earlier in his Gospel), including overturning tables and driving out animals and money changers—same action and motive though placed at a different point in the narrative.
- Jeremiah 7:11 (quotation): Verbal allusion/quotation: Jesus (in the cleansing context) echoes Jeremiah's rebuke that the temple has become 'a den of robbers,' directly connecting his action to prophetic condemnation of temple corruption.
- Isaiah 56:7 (quotation): Verbal allusion/quotation: Jesus cites Isaiah's depiction of the temple as 'a house of prayer for all nations' to contrast the temple's intended purpose with the marketplace activity he expels.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overthrew the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
- And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
Mark.11.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ηφιεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- διενεγκη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- σκευος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- δια: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ιερου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 21:12-13 (structural): Synoptic parallel: Jesus clears the temple, overturns tables, and pronounces it a house of prayer/den of thieves (same episode in Matthew).
- Luke 19:45-46 (verbal): Close verbal parallel that likewise reports Jesus driving out sellers and not allowing anyone to carry goods through the temple, with the same quotation about a house of prayer/den of thieves.
- John 2:13-16 (thematic): Independent Johannine account of a temple cleansing (earlier in Jesus' ministry) with similar actions—driving out merchants and overturning tables.
- Isaiah 56:7 (quotation): Old Testament source quoted by Jesus: 'my house shall be called a house of prayer' is drawn from Isaiah 56:7, which he applies to the temple.
- Jeremiah 7:11 (quotation): OT background for Jesus' charge: the phrase likening the temple to a 'den of robbers/thieves' echoes Jeremiah 7:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he would not permit anyone to carry a vessel through the temple.
- And he would not allow that anyone should carry a vessel through the temple; and he taught, saying,
Mark.11.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εδιδασκεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Ου: PRON,dat,pl,3+PART,neg
- γεγραπται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- Ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- οικος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- οικος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προσευχης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κληθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- εθνεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- δε: CONJ
- πεποιηκατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- σπηλαιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ληστων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 21:13 (verbal): Parallel Synoptic account of the temple cleansing; Jesus uses the same wording — 'My house shall be called a house of prayer... but you make it a den of robbers.'
- Luke 19:46 (verbal): Another Synoptic parallel recounting the temple cleansing with the same citation of 'house of prayer' and condemnation as a 'den of robbers.'
- Isaiah 56:7 (quotation): OT source for 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples/nations' — Jesus cites this prophecy to criticize current temple practice and stress inclusion of the nations.
- Jeremiah 7:11 (quotation): OT background for the 'den of robbers/thieves' image; Jeremiah's denunciation of the temple as a refuge for wrongdoers is echoed by Jesus to indict the temple's corruption.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he taught, saying to them, 'Is it not written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations"? But you have made it a den of robbers.'
- 'Is it not written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations"? But you have made it a den of robbers.'
Mark.11.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ηκουσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αρχιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γραμματεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εζητουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- πως: ADV
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- απολεσωσιν·εφοβουντο: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl + VERB,impf,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- γαρ: PART
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- πας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- οχλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εξεπλησσετο: VERB,impf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- διδαχη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 21:46 (structural): Direct synoptic parallel: chief priests and scribes seek to seize/kill Jesus and fear the crowd's reaction; parallels Mark's report of leaders' hostility and popular amazement.
- Luke 20:19 (verbal): Very close wording: the chief priests and scribes seek to lay hands on Jesus but fear the people — mirrors Mark's combination of hostile intent and fear of the crowds.
- Luke 19:47-48 (thematic): Earlier Lukan note that chief priests and scribes sought to destroy Jesus but could not, because the people were attentive to his teaching — echoes Mark's link between leaders' plots and popular astonishment.
- John 11:53 (thematic): Council (including Caiaphas) resolves that it is necessary one man should die for the people and from that day they plot to put Jesus to death — another account of the authorities' decision to kill him.
- Mark 3:6 (verbal): Internal Mark parallel: Pharisees (with the Herodians) immediately conspire to destroy Jesus — shows recurring pattern of Jewish leaders plotting his death within Mark's narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and sought how they might destroy him; for they feared him, because all the people were astonished at his teaching.
- And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him; for they feared him, because all the people were astonished at his teaching.
Mark.11.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- οταν: CONJ
- οψε: ADV
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- εξεπορευοντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- εξω: ADV
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πολεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Mark 11:11 (structural): Same episode earlier in Mark: Jesus enters Jerusalem, ministers in the temple, then goes out to Bethany—parallel movement ‘going out of the city.’
- Matthew 21:17 (verbal): Matthew’s parallel to the temple-cleansing sequence likewise records Jesus leaving the city for Bethany at evening.
- Luke 21:37 (thematic): Luke notes that Jesus taught in the temple by day and went out at night (to the Mount of Olives), echoing the motif of departing the city after temple activity.
- John 11:54 (thematic): John describes Jesus withdrawing from open activity in Jerusalem and departing to another town, reflecting the broader theme of leaving the city for safety/retreat.
- Matthew 26:30 (structural): After evening worship (the hymn), Jesus and the disciples leave the city for the Mount of Olives—another Gospel instance of departing Jerusalem at night.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when evening came, he went out of the city.
- And when evening came they went out of the city.
And on the following day, when they had left Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if perhaps he would find anything on it. And coming to it he found nothing but leaves—for it was not the season for figs. And he answered and said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it. And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And he would not allow anyone to carry a vessel through the temple courts. And he taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers." And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him; for they feared him, because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city.