Church Fathers Commentary Mark 11:11-14

"And he entered into Jerusalem, into the temple; and when he had looked round about upon all things, it being now eventide, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. And on the morrow, when they were come out from Bethany, he hungered. And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs. And he answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And his disciples heard it." — Mark 11:11-14 (ASV)

The Venerable Bede: As the time of His passion approached, the Lord chose to go to the place of His passion to show that He underwent death of His own accord. Therefore, it is said, And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple.

By going to the temple upon first entering the city, He shows us a model of piety to follow: if we happen to enter a place where there is a house of prayer, we should go there first.

We should also understand from this that such was the Lord's poverty, and so little did He flatter anyone, that in such a large city He found no one to host Him and had no place to stay. Instead, He lived in a small country village with Lazarus and his sisters, for Bethany is a Jewish village.

Therefore, the text continues: And when He had looked round about upon all things (that is, to see whether anyone would host Him), and now the eventide was come, He went out into Bethany with the twelve.

He did not do this only once. During all five days, from the time He came to Jerusalem until the day of His passion, He always did the same thing: during the day He taught in the temple, but at night, He went out and stayed on the Mount of Olives.

The passage continues: And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, He was hungry.

St. John Chrysostom: Why was He hungry in the morning, as Matthew says, except that as part of a divine plan, He allowed His flesh to feel it? ¹

The text continues: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find any thing thereon.

Now, it is clear that this reflects the disciples' assumption. They thought Christ went to the fig tree for this reason and cursed it because He found no fruit on it.

For the passage continues: And when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever.

He therefore curses the fig tree for the sake of His disciples, so that they would have faith in Him. For while He always bestowed blessings and punished no one, it was necessary to give them a proof of His power to punish, so they might learn that He could also cause the persecuting Jews to wither. However, He was unwilling to demonstrate this power on people, which is why He showed them a sign of His punishing power on a plant.

This proves that He came to the fig tree mainly for this reason, and not because of hunger. For who would be so foolish as to suppose that He felt such great pains of hunger in the morning? What prevented the Lord from eating before He left Bethany? Nor can it be said that seeing figs aroused His hunger, for it was not the season for figs. And if He were hungry, why did He not seek food elsewhere, rather than from a fig tree that could not bear fruit out of season? Furthermore, what punishment did a fig tree deserve for not having fruit before its time?

From all this, we can infer that He wished to show His power, so that their minds would not be crushed by His passion.

Theophylact of Ohrid: He wished to show His disciples that if He chose, He could in a moment exterminate those who were about to crucify Him. In a mystical sense, however, the Lord entered the temple but came out of it again to show that He left it desolate and vulnerable to the plunderer.

The Venerable Bede: Furthermore, He looks upon the hearts of all, and when He finds no place to lay His head among those who oppose the truth, He withdraws to the faithful and dwells with those who obey Him. For Bethany means “house of obedience.”

Pseudo-Jerome: He went to the Jews in the morning, and He visits us in the evening of the world.

The Venerable Bede: Just as His words are parables, so also are His deeds. Therefore, He comes hungry to seek fruit from the fig tree, and though He knew it was not yet the season for figs, He condemns it to perpetual barrenness. He did this to show that the Jewish people could not be saved through the leaves—that is, the words of righteousness they possessed—without the fruit of good works, but would instead be cut down and cast into the fire.

His hungering, therefore, signifies His desire for the salvation of humankind. He saw the fig tree (the Jewish people) which had leaves (the words of the Law and the Prophets), and He sought the fruit of good works on it by teaching, rebuking, and working miracles. But He did not find it, and so He condemned it.

You too, unless you wish to be condemned by Christ at the judgment, must beware of being a barren tree. Instead, offer to Christ the fruit of piety that He requires.

St. John Chrysostom: We may also say, in another sense, that the Lord sought fruit on the fig tree before its time and, not finding it, cursed it. This is because all who fulfill the commandments of the Law are said to bear fruit in their proper season—for instance, the commandment, Thou shalt not commit adultery. But a person who not only abstains from adultery but remains a virgin, which is a greater thing, surpasses them in virtue. The Lord requires from the perfect not only the observance of virtue but also that they bear fruit beyond what the commandments require.

1. in Matt. Hom., 87