Back to Matthew 21

Matthew 21:12-19

Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”

The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant, and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?’ ”

He left them, and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there. Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit from you forever!” Immediately the fig tree withered away.

World English Bible · Public Domain

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves.

    He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”

    The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.

    But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant,

    and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?’ ”

    He left them, and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there.

    Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry.

    Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit from you forever!” Immediately the fig tree withered away.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    And Iesus went in to the temple of God and cast out all them that soulde and bought in the temple and overthrew the tables of the mony chaugers and the seates of them that solde doves

    and sayde to them: It is wrytten my housse shalbe called the housse of prayer. But ye have made it a denne of theves.

    And the blinde and the halt came to him in the temple and he healed them.

    When the chefe prestes and scribes sawe the marveylles that he dyd and the chyldren cryinge in the temple and sayinge Hosanna to the sonne of David they disdayned

    and sayde vnto him: hearest thou what these saye? Iesus sayde vnto them yee: have ye never redde of the mouth of babes and suckelinges thou haste ordeyned prayse?

    And he lefte the and wet out of the cite vnto Bethanie and had his abydige there.

    In the mornynge as he returned in to the cyte ageyne he hungred

    and spyed a fygge tree in the waye and came to it and founde nothinge theron but leves only and sayd to it never frute growe on the hence forwardes. And anon the fygge tree wyddered awaye.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    And Iesus went into the Temple of God, and cast out all them that solde and bought in the Temple, and ouerthrew the tables of the money chagers, and the seates of them that sold doues,

    And said to them, it is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer: but ye haue made it a denne of theeues.

    Then the blinde, and the halt came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.

    But when the chiefe priestes and Scribes sawe the marueiles that hee did, and the children crying in the Temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Sonne of Dauid, they disdained,

    And said vnto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Iesus said vnto them, Yea: read ye neuer, By the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast made perfite the praise?

    So hee left them, and went out of the citie vnto Bethania, and lodged there.

    And in the morning, as he returned into the citie, he was hungrie,

    And seeing a figge tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaues onely, and said to it, Neuer fruite grow on thee henceforwards. And anon the figge tree withered.

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Examined in Scripture Analysis

Science (1)

Historical claims about the natural world, weighed against the scientific record.

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Contradictions (2)

Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.

  • When did Jesus curse the fig tree?
  • When did the cursed fig tree die?

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Cross-references (92)

  • Psalms 8:2 (v16) From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the…
  • Jeremiah 7:11 (v13) Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it,” says Yahweh.
  • Isaiah 56:7 (v13) I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be…
  • Luke 19:46 (v13) saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of robbers’!”
  • John 2:14-17 (v12) He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting. He made a whip of cords, and threw all out…
Show all 90 cross-references
  • Mark 11:17 (v13) He taught, saying to them, “Isn’t it written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations?’ But you have made it a den…
  • Matthew 11:25 (v16) At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding,…
  • Psalms 93:5 (v13) Your statutes stand firm. Holiness adorns your house, Yahweh, forever more.
  • Luke 19:45-47 (v12) He entered into the temple, and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of…
  • Mark 11:15-18 (v12) They came to Jerusalem, and Jesus entered into the temple, and began to throw out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and…
  • Mark 11:14 (v19) Jesus told it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” and his disciples heard it.
  • John 15:6 (v19) If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are…
  • Titus 1:16 (v19) They profess that they know God, but by their deeds they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
  • Luke 3:9 (v19) Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the…
  • Luke 13:6-9 (v19) He spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. He said to…
  • Leviticus 1:14 (v12) “ ‘If his offering to Yahweh is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall offer his offering from turtledoves or of young pigeons.
  • John 15:2 (v19) Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
  • Leviticus 5:7 (v12) “ ‘If he can’t afford a lamb, then he shall bring his trespass offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves, or two young…
  • Isaiah 5:4-5 (v19) What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Why, when I looked for it to yield grapes, did it yield wild…
  • 2 Timothy 3:5 (v19) holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.
  • Jude 1:12 (v19) These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without…
  • Luke 19:39-40 (vv15–16) Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” He answered them, “I tell you that if these were…
  • Luke 2:24 (v12) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
  • Revelation 22:11 (v19) He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness…
  • Matthew 4:2 (v18) When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward.
  • John 11:18 (v17) Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away.
  • Hebrews 6:7-8 (v19) For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled,…
  • Deuteronomy 14:24-26 (v12) If the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry it because the place which Yahweh your God shall choose to set his name…
  • Matthew 12:3 (v16) But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him;
  • Matthew 19:4 (v16) He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,
  • Matthew 21:9 (v15) The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in…
  • Luke 19:42-44 (v19) saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes. For the days…
  • John 15:25 (v13) But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’
  • Mark 11:11 (vv12, 17) Jesus entered into the temple in Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany with the…
  • Exodus 30:13 (v12) They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are counted, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel…
  • Leviticus 12:8 (v12) If she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons: the one for a burnt offering, and the other for a…
  • Leviticus 14:22 (v12) and two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to afford; and the one shall be a sin offering, and the other a burnt…
  • Luke 24:50 (v17) He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
  • John 11:1 (v17) Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha.
  • Hebrews 4:15 (v18) For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like…
  • 2 Peter 2:20-22 (v19) For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again…
  • Leviticus 12:6 (v12) “ ‘When the days of her purification are completed for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the door of the Tent of…
  • Leviticus 14:30 (v12) He shall offer one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, which ever he is able to afford,
  • Malachi 3:1-2 (v12) “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the…
  • Matthew 12:1 (v18) At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to…
  • Matthew 16:4 (v17) An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” He left…
  • Mark 2:25 (v16) He said to them, “Did you never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry—he, and those who were with him?
  • Mark 11:12-14 (v18) The next day, when they had come out from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came to see if perhaps he…
  • Mark 11:19 (v17) When evening came, he went out of the city.
  • Mark 11:20-24 (v18) As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The…
  • Leviticus 15:14 (v12) “ ‘On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before Yahweh to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and…
  • Leviticus 15:29 (v12) On the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and bring them to the priest, to the door of the Tent of Meeting.
  • Isaiah 26:11 (v15) Yahweh, your hand is lifted up, yet they don’t see; but they will see your zeal for the people, and be disappointed. Yes, fire will consume…
  • Isaiah 35:5 (v14) Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
  • Matthew 2:5 (v13) They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,
  • Matthew 4:23 (v14) Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every…
  • Matthew 9:27 (v15) As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!”
  • Matthew 9:35 (v14) Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing…
  • Matthew 11:4-5 (v14) Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are…
  • Matthew 21:23 (v15) When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what…
  • Matthew 22:42 (v15) saying, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “Of David.”
  • Matthew 26:3 (v15) Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called…
  • Matthew 26:6 (v17) Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
  • Matthew 26:59 (v15) Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
  • Matthew 27:1 (v15) Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
  • Matthew 27:20 (v15) Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
  • Mark 3:7 (v17) Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples, and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,
  • Mark 11:1 (v17) When they came near to Jerusalem, to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
  • Mark 11:18 (v15) The chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him. For they feared him, because all the multitude was…
  • Luke 8:37-38 (v17) All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much afraid. Then he entered…
  • Luke 10:38 (v17) As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
  • Luke 19:29 (v17) When he came near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples,
  • Luke 20:1 (v15) On one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Good News, the priests and scribes came to him with the…
  • Luke 22:2 (v15) The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.
  • Luke 22:66 (v15) As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people were gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him…
  • John 4:1 (v15) Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John
  • John 7:42 (v15) Hasn’t the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the offspring of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”
  • John 11:57 (v15) Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had commanded that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it, that they might seize him.
  • John 12:1-3 (v17) Then six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. So they made…
  • John 12:19 (v15) The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him.”
  • Acts 3:1-9 (v14) Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was…
  • Acts 10:38 (v14) even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were…
  • Leviticus 5:11 (v12) “ ‘But if he can’t afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for that in which he has sinned, one…
  • Jeremiah 6:8 (v17) Be instructed, Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from you, lest I make you a desolation, an uninhabited land.”
  • Hosea 9:12 (v17) Though they bring up their children, yet I will bereave them, so that not a man shall be left. Indeed, woe also to them when I depart from…
  • Matthew 22:31 (v16) But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,
  • Luke 4:2 (v18) for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry.
  • John 11:47-48 (v16) The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs. If we leave…
  • John 11:47-49 (v15) The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs. If we leave…
  • Acts 4:16-18 (v16) saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who…

90 distinct cross-references across this passage (92 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (26 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv15–18 Such as should be masters of godliness, are they…

Such as should be masters of godliness, are they that do most envy the glory of Christ: but in vain.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv12–19 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God,…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv12, 15, 17 This piece of the history is related by two…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv12, 14, 17 Our blessed Saviour having entered Jerusalem, Observe, his first…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv12–19 And Jesus went into the temple of God,.... At…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv12, 13, 16, 17 He cast out all that sold and bought -…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv12–19 Verse 12. Jesus went into the temple of God,…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv12, 15, 18 Mat 21:12-14. And Jesus went into the temple —…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v12 This paragraph contains the account of the barren fig-tree,…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 And cast out all. Since the Jews came to…
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 1864 · Public Domain On vv12, 15
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv12–19 12. Jesus went into the temple of God —…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 12. cast out all them that sold, &c.] It…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv12–19 (12) And Jesus went into the temple.—Here, again, there…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv12–19 Vers. 12-17. The second cleansing of the temple. (Mar_11:15-19…
John A. Broadus 1886 · Public Domain On vv12, 18 Mat 21:12-17.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv12, 15, 17 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and…
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v18 Chapter 17
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 12. And Jesus went into the temple. According to…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On vv12, 18 Mat_21:12. Cast out.—Apparently a second cleansing of the temple.…
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On vv12, 14, 18 Mat 21:12-13; Luk 19:45-48; Mar 11:15-19. “And they came…
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On v12 J. W. McGarvey's The Fourfold Gospel [CVI. The Barren…
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv12, 17, 19 See, Luk 19:45; Mar 11:15-18. Cf. Joh 2:13-25 which…
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv12, 14, 17 Christ Visits the Temple.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv12, 15, 18 Connecting Statement:
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv12, 13, 15, 16, 19 21:12-13 The close association of the Temple cleansing (see…
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