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)