Mark 11:21

And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. AND PETER CALLING TO REMEMBRANCE SAITH UNTO HIM - satisfied that a miracle so very special, a miracle, not of blessing, as all his other miracles, but of cursing, could not have been performed but with some higher reference, and fully expecting to hear something weighty on the subject: MASTER, BEHOLD, THE FIG TREE WHICH THOU CURSEDST IS WITHERED AWAY - so connecting the two things as to show that he traced the death of the tree entirely to the curse of his Lord. Matthew () gives this simply as a general exclamation of surprise by the disciples "how soon" the blight had taken effect....

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....

See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 21:18. Mark 11:11 INTO THE TEMPLE - Not into the edifice properly called “the temple,” but into the “courts” which surrounded the principal edifice. Our Saviour, not being of the tribe of Levi, was not permitted to enter into the holy or most holy place; and when, therefore, it is said that he went into the “temple,” it is always to be understood of the “courts” surrounding the temple. See the notes at Matthew 21:12. AND WHEN HE HAD LOOKED ROUND ABOUT UPON ALL THINGS - Having seen or examined everything. He saw the abominations and abuses which he afterw

EXPOSITION MARK 11:1 AND WHEN THEY DREW NIGH UNTO JERUSALEM, UNTO BETHPHAGE AND BETHANY, AT THE MOUNT OF OLIVES. St. Matthew (Matthew 21:1) says, "When they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage." St. Mark mentions the three places together, because Bethphage and Bethany, being near together, were also both of them close to Jerusalem. The distance from Jericho to Jerusalem (about seventeen miles) would involve a journey of about seven hours. The country between Jerusalem and Jericho is hilly, rugged, and desolate. It is from the height overhanging Bethany that the finest view of Jerusalem is gained. It appears from St. John (John 12:1)

AND PETER, CALLING TO REMEMBRANCE,.... Not so much the tree, and its spreading leaves, and the greatness of it, and the flourishing condition it was in, the other day, as the imprecation of Christ upon it: SAITH UNTO HIM, MASTER, BEHOLD, THE FIG TREE WHICH THOU CURSEDST IS WITHERED AWAY; which he observed, as matter of astonishment, and as an instance of Christ's surprising power and authority; Matthew 21:20....

PART III. THE SERVANT IN JERUSALEM PRESENTED AS KING AND REJECTED -- Chapter s 11-13 Chapter 11 __ 1. The Servant enters into Jerusalem. (Mark 11:1 .Matthew 21:1; Luke 19:28; John 12:12) 2. The fig tree cursed. (Mark 11:12. Compare with Matthew 21:19) 3. The Cleansing of the Temple. (Mark 11:15....

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 metaphorically. In effect, the mountains are the obstacles which prevent the easy access of man to the holy city of God. To faith these obstacles must yield (see Swete). Mk. himself seems to have felt that the power of faith is dangerously illustrated by the withering of the fig-tree, for he adds a sentence (Mark 11:25) about the necessity of possessing the spirit of forgiveness. Faith will not work capricious miracles. Our desires are not to be the measure of our prayers, unless reason and religion be the rule of our desires (Jeremy Taylor). The phrase your Father which is in heaven occurs here only in Mk...

THE COMING OF THE KING (Mark 11:1-6)...

MASTER. Rabbi. See App-98. BEHOLD. see. Figure of speech _Asterismos._ App-6 and App-133. WITHERED AWAY. Symbolieel as to the national existence and privilege of Israel....

_And Peter_ who doubtless related the incident with all its attendant circumstances to St Mark....