Episode Details

In this episode Lance Smith examines apparent differences between Matthew and Mark about when Jesus cursed the fig tree and when it withered, arguing the accounts reflect different emphases rather than a contradiction.

He explains Mark’s chronological “sandwich” and Matthew’s focus on immediacy, and connects the fig tree’s fruitlessness to a symbolic judgment on hollow religiosity.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 

1. Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/fig_temple.html and https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/fig.html 
2. Evidence Unseen: Does this account of Jesus cursing the fig tree contradict Mark’s account? https://evidenceunseen.com/new-testament/matthew/difficulties/does-this-account-of-jesus-cursing-the-fig-tree-contradict-marks-account-mk-1111-15-19-25
3. The Gospel Coalition: Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree? by Greg Lanier (October 2, 2018) https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/jesus-curse-fig-tree/
4. Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Mark 11 by David Guzik https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/mark-11/
5. Gutenberg.edu: Making Sense of Jesus Cursing the Fig Tree https://gutenberg.edu/making-sense-of-jesus-cursing-the-fig-tree/
6. GotQuestions.org: Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? https://www.gotquestions.org/curse-fig-tree.html
7. Catholic.com: Why Does Jesus Curse the Fig Tree? https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/why-does-jesus-curse-the-fig-tree
8. Keel, Perry S. Research Paper: The Temple Cleansing in John 2:13-22 and The Cursing of the Fig Tree in Matthew 21:18-22 (NBST815)
9. Simmonds, Andrew. “Cursing the Fig Tree in Mark” (2015)