Mark 11:12-25; Where’s The Fruit?

Sermon in a sentence: God judges the fruit we produce.

Background

Mark (§20 Jesus Enters Jerusalem and the Temple (Mark 11:1–25))

With this passage we have the beginning of another example of Mark’s sandwiching of two stories together in order to relate them to each other. ***Jesus Calming the Storm in ch. 4 or Jairus’ Daughter in ch. 5*** In this case, Mark begins the story of the barren fig tree in 11:12–14, interrupting it to relate Jesus’ cleansing of the temple in 11:15–19, and completing the fig tree story in 11:20–26. This means that the incident of the fig tree both interprets the cleansing of the temple and is interpreted by the latter incident. Jesus’ disappointment with the fig tree is like his disappointment with Israel and the temple, her chief shrine. His judgment pronounced upon the tree is like the threat of God’s judgment soon to fall upon the city of Jerusalem, which Jesus’ words and actions in verses 15–19 prefigure.

-Larry Hurtado

Mark (The Cursing of the Fig Tree (11:12–14, 20–25))

The fig tree incident brackets the temple action and interprets it. It reveals more clearly that Jesus does not intend to cleanse the temple. Instead, his actions visually announce its disqualification. The fig tree that has not borne fruit is cursed, not reformed or cleansed. The parable of the tenants of the vineyard (12:1–11) makes the same point. As Jesus seeks fruit from the fig tree, so God, the owner of the vineyard, seeks fruit from the vineyard. When no fruit is to be found or when it is withheld, destruction follows.

-David Garland

Jesus is performing a speech act. He is using some action to signify some future action of God. Ezekiel is told to lay siege to Jerusalem by making a model city and laying on his side. He is also told to cut his hair as a representation of God’s people. Isaiah 7 tells us that God used the birth of Isaiah’s son as a prophetic sign of Israel’s salvation. The OT also refers to Jerusalem as a fig tree ( Jeremiah 8:13; Hosea 9:10, 16; Joel 1:7; Micah 7:1.)

Jesus’ Expectation (vs. 12-21)

Jesus expected the true religion but he saw hypocrisy.

God’s house had been turned into a means for extortion, corruption, and power.

Apart from Christ, our best works are but filthy rags.

Jesus brought judgement upon his own covenant breakers to allow room for the Gentiles.

Jesus’ Exhortation (vs. 22-25)

Jesus taught his disciples to have faith-filled prayers.

In spite of the widespread belief that God’s earthly address was the Holy of Holies, the temple, Jerusalem, the Holy Land, the temple would no longer be the focal point of God’s presence among the people. God can no more be confined to one spot than Jesus could be contained in a tomb. God’s people can function without a holy space or cultic functionaries. The holy place is wherever disciples preach Jesus’ gospel and wherever his people, Jews and Gentiles, gather

David E. Garland, Mark, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 441.

He also taught his followers how to forgive.

If God has forgiven you, then you can forgive others.

Response:

If you have tried to please God by your own works, repent and put your faith in Jesus!

Examine your lifestyle and address hypocrisy.

James is a wonderful book to begin. The Proverbs are also wonderful.

Build your prayer life.

The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus’ High Priest Prayer, Praying the Bible by Don Whitney, and Praying with Paul by DA Carson

Forgive and reconcile.

We should forgive others and teach others how to forgive.