The connection between the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple in this text is that they both point to God’s judgment upon Israel. Both Israel and the fig tree had the appearance of growth but lacked fruit! In cleansing the temple, Jesus showed his disciples, the religious leaders, and all that were present that He was indeed zealous for the purity of His Father’s house. His action of destroying the trade that was taking place in the temple was a harbinger of what was to come- the sacrifice of Himself for the sins of all His people. Christ’s death marked the end of the Old Testament sacrificial system and was the fulfillment of all that the temple represented!

I. The Cursing of the Tree

II. The Cleansing of the Temple

III. The Counsel Given in this Enacted Prophecy