Mark 11:12-19
Jesus Clears the Temple
12The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.
15On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written:
" 'My house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
18The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
19When evening came, they went out of the city.
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and the temple of God and would be looking for fruit (in the temple)...He was hungry...Seeing a fig tree in the distance, Jesus teaches us a lessen with a fig tree...This parable maybe for and about the nation of Israel...Figs are not in season yet, when Jesus approaches the fig tree...Fig season was near but there were no figs for Jesus or the disciples to eat...Even though the tree was not to bear fruit until later, Jesus curses the tree and talks directly to the tree...One other interpretation, is that since the tree is full of leaves, and it maybe an early fig tree, it should be ready to bear, at least some, fruit...Regardless, Jesus tells the true, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again."...And His disciples heard Him say it."...Jesus curses the fig tree because He is showing His disciples that we are to bear fruit...
Jesus and the twelve disciples travel on to Jerusalem...When they reach the temple Jesus begins driving out those who were selling and buying there...The money changers would set up tables for those Jews who lived out of town and/or traveled away from Jerusalem and would need a proper sacrifice as they returned from their homes outside Jerusalem or their travels...They would exchange their money for this proper sacrifice...They probably could exchange different currencies, like Roman and Greek monies, into local money...Jesus was angry that the money changers had turned the temple court of the Gentiles into a place not of worship, but a merchandising area...He overturned the money changers and the benches of those selling doves...He also would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts...He taught them when He quotes Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11, "Is it not written" My house with be called a house of prayer for all nations?...But you have made it a den of robbers."...Jesus accused the money changers of being robbers, so they are overcharging for the merchandise that they are selling, and are not respecting the temple, but even more and not respecting God...
This act of chastising the money changers and turning over their tables would add more controversy to Jesus versus His opponents...The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill Him...These groups feared Him, because the whole crowd watching and listening was amazed at His teachings...
Jesus sought and practiced His beliefs through His actions, even though they (His beliefs) were not always popular...Later we learn that the fig tree that Jesus cursed is now dead and withered...Like the fig tree we put off things, that maybe we shouldn't...No one would ever eat fruit from that tree again...He did not find fruit on the fig tree and did not find fruit in the temple area... Fruitlessness will not be endured by Him forever...He teaches us that we need to repent...