Studies 1 to 2
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PER279
Return to Jerusalem and stop at Bethphage
The article examines Jesus’ arrival at Bethphage, a strategic stop before Jerusalem. Jesus sends two disciples to fetch a colt in order to fulfil a messianic prophecy. Bethphage, the "house of figs", is crucial in the Gospel narratives.
Luke 19.28-34 (King James Version) :And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?And they said, The Lord hath need of him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER288
The fig tree is withered
The day after Jesus cursed the fig tree, the disciples discover the tree completely withered. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach about the power of faith and the importance of forgiveness. Beyond this teaching, the fig tree symbolizes Israel in the Scriptures, and its withering foreshadows the judgment that would fall on the nation forty years later with the destruction of the Temple. Faith and forgiveness remain the unshakable values that Jesus puts forward.
Hosea 9.10 (King James Version) :I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org