12 On the next day , when they had left Bethany , He became hungry . 13 Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf , He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves , for it was not the season for figs . 14 He said to it, "May no one ever e eat fruit from you again !" And His disciples were listening .
15 Then they came to Jerusalem . And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple , and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves ; 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple . 17 And He began to teach and say 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 ROBBERS' DEN ." 18 The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching . 19 When evening came , they would go out of the city .
20 As they were passing by in the morning , they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. 21 Being reminded , Peter said to Him, " Rabbi , look , the fig tree which You cursed has withered ." 22 And Jesus answered saying to them, " Have faith in God . 23 " Truly I say to you, whoever e says to this mountain , 'Be taken up and cast into the sea ,' and does not doubt in his heart , but believes that what he says is going to happen , it will be granted him. 24 "Therefore e I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask , believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. 25 "Whenever you stand praying , forgive , if you have anything against anyone , so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 11:12-25
Commentary on Mark 11:12-18
(Read Mark 11:12-18)
Christ looked to find some fruit, for the time of gathering figs, though it was near, was not yet come; but he found none. He made this fig-tree an example, not to the trees, but to the men of that generation. It was a figure of the doom upon the Jewish church, to which he came seeking fruit, but found none. Christ went to the temple, and began to reform the abuses in its courts, to show that when the Redeemer came to Zion, it was to turn away ungodliness from Jacob. The scribes and the chief priests sought, not how they might make their peace with him, but how they might destroy him. A desperate attempt, which they could not but fear was fighting against God.
Commentary on Mark 11:19-26
(Read Mark 11:19-26)
The disciples could not think why that fig-tree should so soon wither away; but all wither who reject Christ; it represented the state of the Jewish church. We should rest in no religion that does not make us fruitful in good works. Christ taught them from hence to pray in faith. It may be applied to that mighty faith with which all true Christians are endued, and which does wonders in spiritual things. It justifies us, and so removes mountains of guilt, never to rise up in judgment against us. It purifies the heart, and so removes mountains of corruption, and makes them plain before the grace of God. One great errand to the throne of grace is to pray for the pardon of our sins; and care about this ought to be our daily concern.