Mateus 21
J.C. Ryle · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 21
Ryle applies the story of the withered fig tree to salvation, true and false - Let us take care that we each individually learn the lesson that this fig tree conveys. Let us always remember, that baptism, and church-membership, and reception of the Lord's Supper, and a diligent use of the outward forms of Christianity, are not sufficient to save our souls. They are leaves, nothing but leaves, and without fruit will add to our condemnation. Like the fig leaves of which Adam and Eve made themselves garments, they will not hide the nakedness of our souls from the eye of an all-seeing God, or give us boldness when we stand before Him at the last day. No! we must bear fruit, or be lost forever. There must be fruit in our hearts and fruit in our lives, the fruit of repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and true holiness in our conversation. Without such fruits as these a profession of Christianity will only sink us lower into hell. HOW TO HARMONIZE THE MATTHEW AND MARK ACCOUNTS OF THE WITHERED FIG TREE Gotquestions.org helps us with the timing of the parallel passages in Matthew 21:18-22, and Mark 11:12-14, 21- Matthew records the cursing and the withering of the fig tree all in one account and includes it after the account of Jesus cleansing the Temple of the moneychangers. Mark explains that it actually took place over two days, with Jesus cursing the fig tree the first day on the way to cleanse the Temple, and the disciples seeing the tree withered on the second day when they were again going to Jerusalem from Bethany (Mark 11:12-14 and Mark 11:19-21). Of course, upon seeing the tree “withered from the roots up,” the disciples were amazed, as that would have normally taken several weeks. Matthew 21:18–22 GOING BACK TO JERUSALEM Jesus curses the fig tree in the morning. The tree withers immediately. The disciples are amazed then and there. Jesus teaches on faith and prayer as a result. Appears immediate — the cursing and withering are in one event. Mark 11:12–14, 20–21 (Expanded Account) Day 1 (Monday): Jesus curses the fig tree (Mark 11:12–14). No mention of withering at that moment. Day 2 (Tuesday): They pass by again and see the fig tree withered from the roots (Mark 11:20–21). Peter calls Jesus’ attention to it. Appears progressive — Jesus curses the tree, but the withering is noticed the next day. Walter Kaiser - This incident is related by Mark and, in a more compressed form, by Matthew. According to Mark, Jesus and his disciples spent the night following his entry into Jerusalem in Bethany. Next morning they returned to Jerusalem. On the way he felt hungry, and “seeing 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.” Then Jesus cursed the tree: “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” They continued on their way into Jerusalem, where that day he cleansed the temple; in the evening they returned to Bethany. Next morning, as they passed the same place, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” (Mk 11:20–21). Matthew 21:20 Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” How: Isa 40:6-8 Mk 11:20,21 Jas 1:10,11 Related Passages: Mark 11:12-14+ On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. 13 Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening. Seeing this, the disciples (mathetes) were amazed (thaumazo) and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once? - Normally it would take many days for a tree to wither. They are amazed but as readers we are amazed that they are amazed. Jesus had spoken and apparently immediately it withered. One would have thought the 12 would have tied together cause and effect by now! After they had seen Jesus rebuke the wind with just the words "Hush, be still" and the result was instant perfect calm (Mark 4:39+). But for some reason they don't seem to be able to "connect the dots" of His word and the withering. C H
Mateus 21
Ryle - The spirit which prompted this demand is too evident to be mistaken. These men hated and envied Christ. They saw His influence increasing. They saw their own power waning. They resolved, if possible, to stop the progress of this new teacher; and the point on which they made their assault was His authority. His mighty works they ought to have examined. His teaching they ought, in all fairness, to have compared with their own Scriptures. But they refused to take either one course or the other. They preferred to call in question His commission. Every true-hearted Christian who tries to do good in the world, must make up his mind to be treated like his Master. He must never be surprised to find, that the self-righteous and the worldly-minded dislike His ways. The lawfulness of his proceedings will be constantly called in question. He will be regarded as meddlesome, disorderly, and self-conceited, a pestilent fellow, and a troubler of Israel. (Acts 24:5; 1 Kings 18:17.) Scripture-readers, district-visitors, lay-agents, and un-ordained missionaries, are specially liable to meet with such treatment. And worst of all they will often meet with enemies, where they ought to find friends. Let all who are attacked by the world for trying to do good, take comfort in the thought that they are only drinking of the cup which Christ drank. Their Master in heaven sympathizes with them. Let them work on patiently, and believe that, if they are faithful, their work will speak for itself. The world’s opposition is sure to attend every really good work. If the servants of Christ are to cease from every movement which the world calls in question, they will soon come to an entire standstill. If we are to wait till the world approves our plans, and is satisfied with the propriety of our efforts, we shall never do anything on earth. (Spiritual blindness of the chief priests and scribes,—mental dishonesty of prejudiced unbelievers) Matthew 21:24 Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. I will also tell you Mt 10:16 Pr 26:4,5 Lu 6:9 Col 4:6 Related Passages: Mark 11:28+ and began saying to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?” Luke 20:2+ and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” ANSWER MY QUESTION FIRST Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things - As was so often the case, Jesus responds to questions with a question of His own, a technique common in rabbinic debates. They recognized He was not avoiding their question, but He was leading them. He gives them somewhat of a conditional statement that if they first answer His question, He would tell them of His authority.