let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever) The Old Testament contains many miracles of vengeance : the evan gelical history, at its close, this almost alone ; cf. Gnomon on ch. viii. 32. — xap^oc, fruit) And therefore it was not to receive any more sap in vain. Such was the punishment of the Jews ; see Luke xiii. 6. This is an example of what malediction is. — l^rjpai'Sjj, was dried up) Its outward appearance was changed ; its leaves shrivelled, or even fell off.
21. ' A-Troxpftiig be o'l^iroDg tJvtv, x.r.X., but Jesus answering, said, etc.) Our Lord frequently led the disciples from admiration of miracles to things more profitable for salvation ; see Luke x. 20. — vitro,, faith) The nature of Faith is declared by its opposite, which is Doubt. — r£> opsi rovrw, to this mountain) sc. that men tioned in ver. 1 [i.e., the Mount of Olives J. A proverbial expres sion. — rr,v SdXaffsav, the sea) which was far from Jerusalem. Though such things have not hitherto been fulfilled ; they may nevertheless be fulfilled hereafter.
22. AiT^ff^n ev ry -Trpoffiu^r], ye shall ask in prayer*) see Mark xi. 24. Miracles are performed by the payers of the faithful. — >.jj-4/£<&?, ye shall receive, etc.) sc. as a gift. Thus, in Mark xi. 23, 24, serai avrti, x.rA., he shall have, etc.
23. Upoar^ov Aura), x.r.X., came unto Him, etc.) This was the solemn2 question, which occasioned the final trial. — oi ap%upsT;, the chief priests) who considered their right to be invaded. — \lyo\irtc, x.r.X., saying, etc.) The morose scepticism of His adver saries now at length demands credentials for the Son and Heir's caring for His vineyard ; see ver. 37, 38. They thought that Jesus had no call to teach, since He was neither a Priest nor a Levite. — 7ro/a !£ou<r/a; by ivhat authority?) divine or human. — mC/ra, these things) sc. teaching ; cf. diddaxovn, as He was teach ing, and Mark xi. 27.3
24. ' Axoxpftsii; ds 6 'ijjffoDg, but Jesus answered, etc.) A suitable mode of answering those who tempted Him. — ipurqau iya,aj xayu, x.r.X., / will also ask you, etc.) Thus also in ch. xxii. 41.
1 The relation of faith to prayer is the same as that of fire to flame. -V. g.
2 Solennis qusestio, " Their customary question." Acts iv. 7, and vii. 27. —En.
3 rig, who) viz. of the order of the chief priests, or other rulers? — V. g.