A Jesus view of His Church Mark 11:11

Jesus goes to church, stands in the door, looks around, leaves

, , , , , , , , , Jn 11:18

(NLT)

11 So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

(NLT)

Questions: Why did Jesus go to church? Why did he quickly Walk out? Why didn't he stay at church? , what did he see going on in the church?and Why did He leave town? Why did jesus come back to church tho it was the next day?

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.

(NLT)

17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, 19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up.

(NLT)

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating,* a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. 9 “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

(NLT)

Chapter 11

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’ ”

4 The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 5 As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.

8 Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God!*

Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

10 Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!

Praise God in highest heaven!”*

11 So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

Jesus Clears the Temple

15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.* 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”*

18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

19 That evening Jesus and the disciples left* the city.

20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”

22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.*”

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

27 Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. 28 They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

29 “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. 30 “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

31 They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. 32 But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet. 33 So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

(NLT)

Chapter 14

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”

3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating,* a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages* and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.

6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

The Last Supper

12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go to prepare the Passover meal for you?”

13 So Jesus sent two of them into Jerusalem with these instructions: “As you go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 15 He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” 16 So the two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.

17 In the evening Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 As they were at the table* eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.”

19 Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one?”

20 He replied, “It is one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man* must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”

22 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”

23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant* between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many. 25 I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”

26 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

27 On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,

‘God will strike* the Shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered.’

28 But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

29 Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.”

30 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

31 “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

32 They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

35 He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 36 “Abba, Father,”* he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

39 Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. 40 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.

41 When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

43 And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. 44 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” 45 As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss.

46 Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 47 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

48 Jesus asked them, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 49 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”

50 Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away. 51 One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, 52 he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.

Jesus before the Council

53 They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered. 54 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.

55 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council* were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any. 56 Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. 57 Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’ ” 59 But even then they didn’t get their stories straight!

60 Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 61 But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 Jesus said, “I Am.* And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand* and coming on the clouds of heaven.*”

63 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? 64 You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”

“Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!”

65 Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.

Peter Denies Jesus

66 Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by 67 and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.*”

68 But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.*

69 When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” 70 But Peter denied it again.

A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”

71 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed the second time.

Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

(NLT)

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

28 After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. 29 As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. 30 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”

32 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33 And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?”

(NLT)

The Ascension

50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

(NLT)

15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”

(NLT)

17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles* down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss.

Mark 11:1–30 The Message

When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘The Master needs him, and will return him right away.’ ” They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, “What are you doing untying that colt?” The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted. The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God’s name! Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in highest heaven! He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve. As they left Bethany the next day, he was hungry. Off in the distance he saw a fig tree in full leaf. He came up to it expecting to find something for breakfast, but found nothing but fig leaves. (It wasn’t yet the season for figs.) He addressed the tree: “No one is going to eat fruit from you again—ever!” And his disciples overheard him. They arrived at Jerusalem. Immediately on entering the Temple Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants. He didn’t let anyone even carry a basket through the Temple. And then he taught them, quoting this text: My house was designated a house of prayer for the nations; You’ve turned it into a hangout for thieves. The high priests and religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might get rid of him. They panicked, for the entire crowd was carried away by his teaching. At evening, Jesus and his disciples left the city. In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, “Rabbi, look—the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!” Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.” Then when they were back in Jerusalem once again, as they were walking through the Temple, the high priests, religion scholars, and leaders came up and demanded, “Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?” Jesus responded, “First let me ask you a question. Answer my question and then I’ll present my credentials. About the baptism of John—who authorized it: heaven or humans? Tell me.”

Bethphage A village on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem.

Bethany One of Jerusalem’s outlying settlements.

Mount of Olives A two-mile-long ridge that forms Jerusalem’s eastern border and rises about 300 feet above the city; a site of many olive groves. In the book of Zechariah, the Mount of Olives is the place where God’s glory is revealed ().

colt Reflects the ot image and prophecy of Jerusalem’s king riding on a donkey (see and ; compare and ).

on which no one has ever sat Probably an allusion to , which describes the king’s mount as “new.”

The Lord This instance of the Greek term, kyrios, is likely the common usage to refer to a social superior, meaning something akin to “teacher” or “sir.”

Kings were known to enter cities in splendor, especially during coronation or after a victorious battle. They may have ridden a chariot pulled by four horses or even elephants and been accompanied by troops. While Jesus does enter as king, His approach is humble—He is not accompanied by soldiers and rides on a borrowed colt. This not only emphasizes Jesus’ humility as king, but also reflects the nature of the kingdom of God (compare and ).

many people spread their cloaks on the road A public declaration of political allegiance (compare ). Jesus enters Jerusalem as its king, and the people accept Him as such.

branches A common element in festal processions ().

were shouting They shout an adaptation of , which commemorates God’s victory over foreign armies through His agent (presumably the Davidic king).

Hosanna A transliteration of the Hebrew phrase hoshi'ah na, which means “save us!” Compare .

Blessed is the one who comes A quotation of . This announcement happens in response to a display of God’s favor ().

coming kingdom of our father David Reflects the expectation that the kingdom of David would be restored to Israel, involving someone from David’s line sitting on the throne and the restoration of Israel (see on ).

in the highest Refers to the heavens and their inhabitants (compare ).

he went into Jerusalem to the temple This reflects the prophecy of (compare ). See on .

he went out to Bethany with the twelve An unexpected conclusion to the fanfare that accompanied Jesus’ arrival.

Jesus curses a fig tree that bears no fruit, symbolizing the fruitlessness of Israel—especially its religious leaders—and the judgment His ministry brings.

fig tree Israel is frequently compared to a fruitless fig tree in ot prophetic literature (e.g., ; ).

Jesus’ cleansing of the temple enacts His implied judgment on Israel’s corrupt religious system (). This act also is consistent with His messianic mission of restoring true religion and right relationship to God.

who were selling and those who were buying The vendors likely were selling animals designated for sacrifice. To be fit for sacrifice, an animal had to be free from illness and physical defect (e.g., ; ). Many people preferred to purchase the animal inside the temple courts—especially during pilgrimage festivals, when thousands of people were around.

tables of the money changers Monetary exchange was necessary because all contributions made at the temple had to be rendered in a uniform currency (the Tyrian shekel).

a house of prayer for all the nations Jesus quotes , part of a declaration about the importance of justice and covenant observance.

a cave of robbers Jesus quotes , part of an indictment of the people of Judah for injustices they committed against God and neighbor.

chief priests Refers to the leading members of the priesthood, who were responsible for the operation of the Jerusalem temple. They also played an essential role in mediating Roman rule.

the scribes Depicted as associates of the chief priests in their plot to kill Jesus (e.g., ). See on .

The fig tree that Jesus cursed (vv. ) has now withered. The disciples ask Him about it, and He responds by teaching about faith, prayer, and forgiveness.

this mountain Jesus may be referring to a specific mountain visible to His disciples—likely the Mount of Olives or the Temple Mount.

the elders Represents the Jewish aristocracy of Jerusalem or a governing body.

By what authority Those who question Jesus are likely aware of Jesus’ Davidic association; His triumphal entry into Jerusalem was a public assertion of authority.

these things Probably refers to Jesus’ actions in this temple.

The baptism of John Although Jesus does not answer the question directly, His response alludes to the source of His authority: It is the same source that legitimized John’s ministry.

John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Mk 11:1–30.

Mark 11:11 The Message

He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.

His Church; what did jesus see when he looked around?

Talking Points: 1. He saw Religion substituted for warm wholesome sincere relationships. The Church had substituted Religion in place of Relationships

2. The Church has settled for Commercialism in place of Consecration of Selfs to GOD.

3. The Church has replaced the Glory of GOD with the Glitter of Man.

11 And he went … with the twelve.

Mark 11:11 The Message

He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.

After Jesus' triumphant entry into jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He went to church ( The Temple). He stood in the Courts and looked at what was going on Then He turned around and walked out of church, and left town for Bethany.

Bethany on the Mount of Olives (Βηθανίαν, Bēthanian, Bethania). Village near Jerusalem depicted as a prominent location throughout the ministry of Jesus, especially leading up to the passion. (For information on the area where John the Baptist ministered, see this article: Bethany beyond the Jordan).

Biblical Relevance

The Gospels indicate that Jesus visited Bethany often, especially leading up to the passion week (compare , ; ). It was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus () as well as Simon the leper (; ). Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead () and was anointed by Mary in Bethany before His crucifixion (; ; ). Additionally, Jesus’ ascension would have occurred near Bethany (; ; Bock, , 1944).

The Gospels mention two different locations named Bethany (Scheinder, Exegetical Dictionary, 213):

1. Bethany on the Mount of Olives refers to a village located near Bethphage, about two miles east of Jerusalem (; ; ). This region was well-known in the ancient world for its hospitality toward pilgrims (Capper, “Essene Community Houses,” 498).

2. Bethany beyond the Jordan refers to the location of John the Baptist’s early ministry and the place where Jesus was baptized ().

Etymology

There are two major positions regarding the etymology of the name Bethany:

1. It may get its name from the village Ananiah in (Albright, Oriental Research, 158–160), which was settled by the Benjaminites after the Babylonian exile. Saller argues the number of artifacts from the Persian period excavated at Bethany seem to confirm this identification (Saller, Excavations at Bethany, 374).

2. It may get its name from the Aramaic words beth and anya, which means “house of the poor” or “poorhouse” (Capper, “Essene Community Houses,” 472). Capper argues that the Essenes founded “poorhouse(s)” outside of Jerusalem for lepers and others who were deemed unclean. confirms the presence of lepers in Bethany (e.g., Simon the leper), and mentions concern for the poor.

Archaeology

In 1914 archaeologists discovered shaft tombs near Bethany on the Mount of Olives that date to the Canaanite period (Albright, Oriental Research, 159). Sylvester Saller’s excavations from 1949–1953 revealed that this area was continuously occupied from at least the sixth century bc to the 14th century ad (Saller, Excavations at Bethany, 1–98, 374).

Archaeologists have recovered the remains of four ancient churches in Bethany (Ware, Archaeology of the Jerusalem Area, 259–61). The earliest church dates back to the fourth century and was built to honor the site where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (Ware, Archaeology of the Jerusalem Area, 259). Lazarus’ tomb can still be found in Bethany, and the village’s modern-day name el-Azariah (“the place of Lazarus”) demonstrates the significance of this biblical event.

Bibliography

Albright, W. F. . New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1924.

Bock, Darrell. . Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 1996.

Capper, Brian J. “.” In Jesus and Arachaeology. Edited by James H. Charlesworth. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 2006.

Finegan, Jack. . Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1969.

Saller, S. J. . Jerusalem: Franciscan Press, 1957.

Scheinder, Gerhard. “.” In vol. 1 of The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1978–80.

Ware, W. Harold. . Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 1987.

Michael S. Guyer

Michael S. Guyer, “Bethany on the Mount of Olives,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

Sermon Talking points

He saw Glitter of Man, Church trappings, order of worship, Lack of warm relationships, Religion , viz sincere worship, no consecrated souls or atmosphere to attract new believers. Fashion show of the outer self viz cleaniness of inner self, to receive purity of soul and heart and spirit.

CBWW:BH

More than five hundred years earlier, God had revealed to the prophet Daniel that the Messiah would come four hundred and eighty-three years after the command would be given to rebuild Jerusalem (). The command to rebuild Jerusalem was given by King Artaxerxes of Persia, in the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of his reign (). The Jews did not use a solar calendar as we do today, and in biblical prophecies the years are composed of 360 days (e.g., ; ; ). The exact day of the month is not given; but if the command to rebuild Jerusalem was given on the first of Nisan, March 5, 444 BC, it was 483 years of 360 days later—to the day—that Jesus entered Jerusalem on March 30, AD 33, the day of his formal entry into the city as Messiah. The prophecy likely was fulfilled to the day!

Something else also happened on that day. It was the day when the lambs were selected to be slain at Passover. In his triumphal entry, Jesus was presenting himself as the Passover Lamb.

CBWW:BH

On March 31, AD 33, the morning after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples left the town of Bethany, where they had spent the night. Being hungry, Jesus approached a fig tree to pick some fruit, but it had no fruit—only leaves. He cursed the tree saying, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” (). Jesus was giving a visual parable of the Temple in Jerusalem. Like the fruitless fig tree, the Temple was beautiful to look at but produced no spiritual fruit. When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, he drove out the merchants and their customers from the Temple. Jesus and his disciples passed by the fig tree the next day and saw that it had withered, foretelling the Temple’s destruction in AD 70 ()

Sharon Rusten with E. Michael, The Complete Book of When & Where in the Bible and throughout History (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2005), 76.