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Two of the stories many consider a bit disturbing (cursing the fig tree and the temple incident). What do you make of them?
For NIV reading click here
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Two of the stories many consider a bit disturbing (cursing the fig tree and the temple incident). What do you make of them?
Please help us understand the fig tree story. I've no clue .
ReplyDeleteEveryone loves the temple clearing incident because it gives us license to be righteously indignant .If Jesus can lose His temper over such sin and hypocrisy , must be ok for us to do the same .In very practical terms , this was the straw
that broke the camel's back . Look in Mk.11:18,
the priests and teachers had finally had enough and went looking for a way to kill Him .
Great caution on the temple incident, Doc! Anyone have any thoughts on the fig tree? Keep in mind Mark's literary way of telling the story by beginning a story, inserting another story or topic, and then finishing up with the original thought. So the fig tree incident and the temple incident help to interpret one another.
ReplyDeleteI think that both of these stories (the fig tree and the Temple) are sandwiched together because they both represent Jesus entering the scene and overturning the old ways.
ReplyDeleteThe fig tree represents Israel. The Jews are awaiting their Messiah, but when He arrives they do not welcome Him (they bear no fruit)
He overturns the tables at the Temple as a criticism of Jewish traditions that oppress the people.
Jesus is there to establish new law, and all the world's people are now the 'chosen people' if they should choose to follow.
Things I don't understand: The fig tree was not in season. This almost seems to hint at Israel's predestination. I often get confused between Omnipotent and predestination. Help!!
What is Israel's place in the world after the crucifixion? Are they still the chosen people? Or, as I think I understand it, are we all the chosen people?
I don't have much to add except confusion. It just seems unreasonable to expect figs when they are not in season. My interpretation is probably closer to Doc's: in both stories we see Jesus behaving in ways that would normally be considered unreasonable.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that in this particular area of the globe, fig trees generally produce fruit before they produce leaves. Jesus saw the tree from a distance and saw that there were leaves. So, the expectation would be that there should also be fruit. I really think this is a lesson about Israel. Matt?
ReplyDeleteYou've all had some helpful comments on the fig tree thing...I'll just add to them.
ReplyDelete(1) The fig tree story has been split by the temple incident, so we need to interpret each by the other.
(2) I agree, we all bristle a bit...seems out of character for Jesus.
(3) But probably more going on...let's give Jesus the benefit of the doubt with a few observations: fig tree is probably meant to be a symbol of the Temple itself and the religious personality that was present (Mark has said a lot about this by talking about Pharisees, scribes, Sanhedrin, etc., and almost none have been good); the leaves of the figure tree which are noticeable from a distance appear to suggest fruit, like the Temple, but when you get close, not! It is a 'braggart fig tree' as one scholar has called it. So, by pronouncing the fig tree as done...is to pronounce the temple as done. The temple as the place of God's special presence is over...it is now in Jesus! The temple as a secure place for non-prayer/worship type activities of the religious is over (not that all or even most Jews were this way, but much of the leadership was). Barren fig tree...barren temple...for good. Look to Jesus as the place where real fruit is produced among people...kind of reminds us of John 15! Hopefully some sense to my ramblings.
what's a 'figure tree' Matt? sorry.
ReplyDeleteohhh...... I get it!
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you . This has been a good day's reading for learning . I am now starting to see the many possible levels of meaning in my favorite set of books . I guess I should have known . ( I am such a concrete thinker ).This is going to be fun . I'm psyched !
ReplyDeleteAccording to the study notes in my NKJV, Jesus was looking for the edible buds on the tree (that would indicate) fruit in the future. Although He wanted to eat the buds, he also knew there would be no fruit in the future.
ReplyDeleteEver read Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson? Any branch that won't bear fruit gets pruned so that it will. It's a painful process that we endure as Jesus sanctifies us throughout our lifetime.
I can see where the intertwining of the stories foretells the useful end of the temple some 70 years in the future.
v.18 - And the scribes and the chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they FEARED... It's amazing the behavior we humans engage in when we're frightened. I spent a long time analyzing my feelings and emotions. Once I learned to recognize what fear feels like, I was able to curtail many of those behaviors. It says in the bible many, many times, "do not fear." If GOD has a plan for my life, the good times as well as the difficult, then what good does it do to resist or lash out at others when they are happening, other than injure others or destroy relationships? It's hard to kick against the goads. Acts 9:5