NLT Study Bible and Mark 11:13-14

Written on September 12, 2008 , by Brent Kercheville

Submitted to Biblical Studies, The Bible, Translations

I really have not seen a study Bible make such useful points like the NLT Study Bible. I am reading from the NLT Study Bible daily for my own personal benefit and for reviewing on this site, and I continue to be excited by the study notes. Consider Mark 11:12-14 and the corresponding notes:

The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it. (Mark 11:12-14; NLT)

“11:13-14 it was too early in the season for fruit: Jesus did not curse the fig tree merely because it lacked fruit. Rather, he was performing a prophetic sign act like those of earlier prophets (Isa 20:1-6; Jer 13:1-11; 19:1-13; Ezek 4:1-17). Just as Jesus judged the fruitless fig tree, so too he judged the Temple and the worship in Israel, in which he found no fruit. This judgment was fulfilled in AD 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans.”

These are excellent notes. Mark 11:12-14 is a commonly misunderstood text. Many students do not understand why Jesus is cursing this fig tree. Some writers even suggest that Jesus was upset and cursed the fig tree out of anger because he was hungry. But this is far from the case. The NLT study notes hit on the head the exact reason for Jesus cursing the fig tree. The NIV Study Bible (which is very popular) is a complete let down, stating, “Perhaps the incident was a parable of judgment, with the fig tree representing Israel (see Hos 9:10; Na 3:12).” 

Perhaps? Israel is represented by the fig tree throughout the Old Testament. Further, study Bibles refuse to make the obvious connection that the NLT Study Bible is willing to make. Jesus has declared Israel fruitless and worthy of judgment. That judgment occurred in AD 70 when the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the temple.

Well done, NLT Study Bible.

Your Thoughts

4 Comments so far

  1. Joe
    September 12, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    Wow, you compare the NLT and the NIV Study Bibles and one obviously took the easy way out. It will be interesting to see how the new ESV Study Bible compares. I know you are looking forward to it coming out soon.

  2. NLT Study Bible Reviews | Scripture Zealot
    September 17, 2008 at 11:46 am

    [...] NLT Study Bible and Mark 11:13-14 [...]

  3. Jim Swindle
    September 19, 2008 at 8:51 pm

    Thanks for the comparison. The NLT Study Bible notes are interesting. I have the Reformation Study Bible. It makes what I think is a good point, then draws a conclusion that I’m not sure I see flowing from this text. “Jesus curses this tree for making a display but having no fruit, just as He will judge the temple (vv. 15-17) and predict its destruction (13:2). This would indicate that the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem will no longer be a goal of redemptive history. Jeremiah used figs as a symbol of judgment on Jerusalem (Jer. 24).”

    Before this note is a note on verse 13, “See note Matt. 21:18-20.” That note on Matthew speaks of judgment on Israel, not just on the city and the temple. “Matthew condenses an incident that took place on two separate days (cf. Mark 11:12-13, 20-26). The linking of this incident with the cleansing of the temple hints at God’s imminent punishment of Israel by the destruction of the city and the temple (Jer. 24:1-8).”

  4. Brent Kercheville
    September 20, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    Hey Jim,
    That is interesting. I can see how the conclusion is drawn. Since the tree would never bear fruit again and symbolized Jerusalem judgment, then Jerusalem and the temple would no longer be needed and would not bear its fruit to the nation. Thanks for the note from the Reformation Study Bible. Very interesting.

4 Responses to “NLT Study Bible and Mark 11:13-14”




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