Mar 11:12-14 | RWP | e4.org | On the morrow ( τη επαυριον ). has "early" ( πρω ), often of the fourth watch before six A.M. This was Monday morning. The Triumphal Entry had taken place on our Sunday, the first day of the week.

‏ Mark 11:12-14

On the morrow ( τη επαυριον ). Mt 21:18 has "early" ( πρω ), often of the fourth watch before six A.M. This was Monday morning. The Triumphal Entry had taken place on our Sunday, the first day of the week.

If haply he might find anything thereon ( ε αρα τ ευρησε εν αυτη ). This use of ε and the future indicative for purpose (to see if, a sort of indirect question) as in Ac 8:22; 17:27. Jesus was hungry as if he had had no food on the night before after the excitement and strain of the Triumphal Entry. The early figs in Palestine do not get ripe before May or June, the later crop in August. It was not the season of figs, Mark notes. But this precocious tree in a sheltered spot had put out leaves as a sign of fruit. It had promise without performance.

No man eat fruit from thee henceforward forever ( Μηκετ εις τον αιωνα εκ σου μηδεις καρπον φαγο ). The verb φαγο is in the second aorist active optative. It is a wish for the future that in its negative form constitutes a curse upon the tree. Mt 21:19 has the aorist subjunctive with double negative ου μηκετ γενητα, a very strong negative prediction that amounts to a prohibition. See on Matthew. Jesus probably spoke in the Aramaic on this occasion.

And his disciples heard it ( κα ηκουον ο μαθητα αυτου ). Imperfect tense, "were listening to it," and evidently in amazement, for, after all, it was not the fault of the poor fig tree that it had put out leaves. One often sees peach blossoms nipped by the frost when they are too precocious in the changeable weather. But Jesus offered no explanation at this time.