THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY. This incident Wellhausen and HNT regard as opening a new section of the gospel, which they end with Mark 13:37. Jesus is now close to Jerusalem, Bethphage (house of young figs) being apparently between Jerusalem and Bethany (? house of dates, so Swete, or house of unripe fruit,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CURSING OF THE FIG-TREE. Though it is difficult to believe that Jesus spent only one crowded week in Jerusalem, Mk. here becomes confidently precise in chronology, and he tells the story of the fig-tree, distinguishing the stages in it, as if he were following exact recollections. On the first e... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE. Jesus now follows up His survey of the Temple with an attempt to abolish the market set up in the outermost court, the court of the Gentiles, for the convenience of Jews who had to purchase sacrificial victims and who wished to obtain by a dear exchange the half-shekel w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE POWER OF FAITH. On the third day of the week, Peter draws attention to the withered fig-tree, and Jesus uses it to illustrate the great power of faith. The teaching does not seem to spring very directly out of the incident. The reference to removing mountains is rightly interpreted metaphoricall... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS ON THE QUESTION OF AUTHORITY. On the Tuesday, an official deputation meets Jesus in the Temple, and asks by what right He has taken upon Himself police duties like the control of the market. Who has given Him permission to clear the court of the Gentiles and ev... [ Continue Reading ]