This Mountain
On the way in the next morning, Jesus saw a fig tree that was all leaves and no figs (vv. 12-13). The fig tree is Israel, all leaves, a fair profession, and no fruit. Jesus spoke to the tree and said that no man would eat fruit from it “into the age” (v. 14). And a lot of exegetes have wasted too much time, paper, and ink feeling sorry for the fig tree.
Jesus has been received as the king of Jerusalem, and so the next day He goes into the Temple and conducts a royal purge. The abuses were very probably of recent origin, established by Caiphas. In the outer court, the place where Gentiles could pray, they had set up stockyards, currency exchange booths, and bird tables (v. 15). People were also using it for a shortcut (v. 16). While clearly angry, Jesus had not lost His temper. He did this thing teaching (v. 17). He quotes Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 in the midst of the purge. The established authorities feared Him and sought to destroy Him (v. 18). Jesus then left the city (v. 19).
Next morning Peter saw the blasted fig tree (vv. 20-21). Now remember this was a miracle of judgment. Jesus teaches His disciples that they, if they had faith, would do the same thing (v. 22). They would say to this mountain (remember, they are coming to the Temple in Jerusalem, which is built on a mountain, Mt. Moriah), “be removed”, and it would be. This is a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in response to the prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:8). Jesus is not speaking about moving mountains about as a general practice; He is talking about His followers being used to bring about the judgment of God on the faithless covenant order centred on a mountain in Jerusalem. God promised to hear their imprecatory prayers for judgment (v. 24). But at the same time, they must guard their hearts and spirits, and be the kind of men who forgive (vv. 25-26). Imprecation is dangerous in two directions — for the one the prayers are about, and, if the one praying is not guarding “what manner of spirit he is of,” it is dangerous for him as well.
Excerpt from King David Returns
Douglas Wilson www.dougwils.com
