Monday of the Final Week

Cursing of the Fig Tree

The next day, Jesus returned to Jerusalem, and on the way He came to a fig tree and looked to see if it had any fruit. He found nothing on the fig tree but leaves and cursed it by saying, "Let no fruit grow on this tree forever." Shortly the fig tree withered away. In the Old Testament the fig tree is symbolic of national Israel (Hosea 9:10). Israel had been given every opportunity but bore no spiritual fruit, and were rejecting their Messiah (Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14).

The Second Cleansing of the Temple

The first cleansing of the temple was at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, in the summer of 30 A.D.. Now, once again, Jesus entered the temple and cast out those that bought and sold animals and the things used for the sacrifices, overturned tables of the money changers and seats of those that sold doves. He told them they had made His house a den of thieves. The chief priests and scribes heard about this and sought how they might kill Him because they feared the people that listened to His teaching (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18).

Jesus Foretells His Coming Death

There now came some Greeks to the feast to worship, and they desired to talk with Jesus. Jesus told the Greeks what all mankind should hear, even today. Jesus used a grain of wheat to illustrate that it must be planted and die to produce more wheat. Jesus was telling them that He needed to die to produce the spiritual life for all those who believe in Him. Jesus was foretelling His death by saying that He must be lifted up, and that He will draw all men to Himself, signifying the type of death He would die (John 12:20-33).


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Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:13

Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:13

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