Matthew 21:18-22 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Now in the morning, &c.— I shall postpone the remarks on this miracle to Mark 11 as it is there related with some circumstances which require particular notice; observing that our Lord cursed the fig-tree in the morning of the day on which he cast the buyers and sellers out of the temple: and though the tree began that instant to wither, the disciples did not take notice of its withering, because they left the spot just as Jesus was pronouncing the curse; neither did they observe it in the evening, as they returned to Bethany, probably because it was dark when they passed by, and the tree was at a little distance from the road. They observed it only as they were going into the town next morning, when it gave occasion to the conversation concerning the efficacy of faith; but thewithering of the fig-tree, and the conversation occasioned thereby, having a connection, might either be related among the transactions of the day wherein the conversation occasioned by its withering happened, or they might be related separately, each in its own day. This suggests an easyreconciliation to the seemingly differenttimes which are assigned to this miracle byMatthew and Mark. Matthew, in the beginning of his account, is still describing the transactions of the day in which Jesus cursed the fig-tree as he went to purge the temple: but in the morning, viz. of the day when the transaction which the Evangelist had been relating happened, not the morning of the day following, as is commonly supposed—in the morning, as he returned into the city, he had hungered (επεινασε, Aorist.) Matthew 21:19 and seeing a single fig-tree (συκην μιαν) in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever; and εξηρανθη παραχρημα — (Exaruit illico, Beza,) it withered forthwith; that is, began to wither from that time forth, though the disciples did not then observe it, because they passed by while Jesus was pronouncing the curse; neither did they observe it as they came out in the evening, because in all probability it was dark, Matthew 21:20. And when the disciples saw it,—saw the fig-tree withered from the roots, that is to say, next morning, as they were returning to the city from Bethany;—for so we are expressly told in the more particular account which Mark has given of this miracle—They marvelled, saying, how soon is the fig-tree withered away! The solution arising from the translation of the passage here offered seems the most natural which can be given. For, as Matthew chose to relate the cursing of the fig-tree and the effect of the curse together, it was proper to speak of the curse after relating the other transaction of the next day to be mentioned in the history. The sacred volume furnishes several examples of incidental histories introduced in this manner. For instance; the history of John the Baptist's death, John 14:3, &c. See also Mark 16:7 and Luke 9:46 where it is said, Now there had arisen a dispute among them, viz. on the road to Capernaum, for St. Mark says expressly that the dispute happened there.