Episode
Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 21:12-20 – Fig Tree, Temple, and Truth: Resolving the Gospel Puzzle
- Published
- Jul 7, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 740
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Summary
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: [email protected] Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/fig_temple.html and https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/fig.html 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 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/ Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Mark 11 by David Guzik https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/mark-11/ Gutenberg.edu: Making Sense of Jesus Cursing the Fig Tree https://gutenberg.edu/making-sense-of-jesus-cursing-the-fig-tree/ GotQuestions.org: Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? https://www.gotquestions.org/curse-fig-tree.html Catholic.com: Why Does Jesus Curse the Fig Tree? https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/why-does-jesus-curse-the-fig-tree 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) Simmonds, Andr…