Day 2 – Jesus’ Final Week – The Cursing of the Fig Tree and Clearing of the Temple

“At Jesus’ triumphal entry, He declared openly His messianic identity. The two major events on Monday – the cursing of the fig tree and the clearing of the temple – are prophetic acts that dramatically announced the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.” (15)

Scripture passages:
Cursing of the Fig Tree:
Matthew 21:18-22
Mark 11:12-14, 20-25
Clearing of the Temple:
Matthew 21:12-13
Mark 11:15-19
Luke 19:45-48

Read Chapter 2 of Jesus’ Final Week

“Jesus cursed the fig tree and cleared the temple to demonstrate that Jerusalem would be judged for its fruitlessness. When Jesus examined the temple, which stood at the very heart of Judaism, He found it wanting. It had all the beauty of a place set aside for god’s glory, but under the beautiful facade of prayer and sacrifice lived a den of robbers.” (23-24)

(Excerpts from Jesus’ Final Week are noted by a parenthetical page number indicating where they appear in the book)