Matthew Part 78

Text: Matthew 21:18-22.

intro: this section is broken up into two parts in Mark 11:12-14, and Mark 11:20-25. Jesus cleanses the temple in between. not a contradiction. Vs 20 “When the disciples saw it...” meaning the next day

Jesus’ Symbolic Lesson

Verse 18-19

Figs wouldn't be in at this point before passover, just the leaves and maybe some unripened, smaller figs

this is the only time a miracle of judgement is preformed by Jesus

Jesus is being highly symbolic

like Jeremiah's symbolic acts of judgement (Jer. 19:1-11)

The OT shows the use of figs as symbols of Gods Judgement (Is. 34:4, Hosea 2:12, Joel 1:7) and Israel's unfaithfulness (Micah 7:1-2).

Jesus was in the temple and has been all of Israel and has talked to the religious elite. they all put on a good show, but their fruit is sorely lacking. even with all of the gradure and ritual of the temple and its services, they are still lacking in fruit. and the ultimate form of jerusalem lacking in fruit is the rejection of the messiah.

this is related to 70AD

Producing Our Own Fruit

The Greatness of faith

Verse 20, The disciples miss the point

instead of asking why he did this, they ask how he did this

Verse 21,

Is Jesus giving permission to do useless supernatural feats? no, Matt. 12:38.

Jesus has specific Jewish metaphor in mind, “The phrase “rooter up of mountains” was a metaphor commonly used in Jewish literature of a great teacher or spiritual leader. In the Babylonian Talmud, for example, the great rabbis are called “rooters up of mountains.” Such people could solve great problems and seemingly do the impossible.”

Faith

this text is referred to by Paul in 1 Cor. 13:2.

Mountain

either the mount of Olives or the temple mount

Jesus is still being symbolic even with this

Jer. 51:25, Rev. 8:8 - Both are about Babylon and Jerusalem here is in the course of becoming the whore of Babylon

G.K Beale “Babylon is the prevailing economic-religious system in alliance with the state and its related authorities, as it exists in various forms throughout the ages. Of course, the generally known fact that harlots in the ancient world (as today) offered their bodies and sexual services for payment only enhances the economic nature of the Babylonian prostitute.”

John 19:15.

Verse 23

whatever you ask in prayer

you will receive

if you have faith

what happens if i don't receive?

not enough faith

not according to God’s will, John 14:13-14.

I’ve asked for things i didn't receive and sometimes i did (When God says No sermon)

asking with the wrong motives, James 4:3,