Big Idea: The withered fig tree is the only negative miracle in Mark, signifying the coming destruction of the temple due to the apostasy of the people. Both the fig tree and the temple clearing depict God’s judgment against the people of Israel who have rejected his Messiah and defiled his temple.

Understanding the Text

Jesus begins passion week with three symbolic actions, each of which proves that he indeed is God’s Messiah and has come with divine authority. The two themes—christological power and Jesus acting as eschatological judge (it should be called not the “cleansing” of the temple but its “condemnation” [see also 14:62])—will dominate the week leading up to the cross. The controversies that follow (11:27–12:37) also demonstrate his authority as the final arbiter of the meaning…