they saw. Matthew informs us that this tree grew by the way-side, and was therefore not private, but public property; so that the destruction of it really injured no one. Our Lord was pleased to make use of this miracle to prefigure the speedy ruin of the Jewish nation, on account of its unfruitfulness under greater advantages than any other people enjoyed at that day; and, like all the rest of his miracles, it was done with a gracious intention, to alarm his countrymen, and induce them to repent.

See on ver.

Mark 11:14 And Jesus answered and said to it, No man eat fruit of you hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Job 18:16,17 His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off...

Job 20:5-7 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment...

Isaiah 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? why, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes...

Isaiah 40:24 Yes, they shall not be planted; yes, they shall not be sown: yes, their stock shall not take root in the earth...

Matthew 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up.

Matthew 21:19,20 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said to it...

John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire...

Hebrews 6:8 But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is near to cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water...