Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Mark: Chapter 11].
11:14 {No man eat fruit from thee henceforward forever} (\M•keti
eis ton ai•na ek sou m•deis karpon phagoi\). The verb \phagoi\ is
in the second aorist active optative. It is a wish for the future
that in its negative form constitutes a curse upon the tree. Mt
21:19 has the aorist subjunctive with double negative \ou m•keti
gen•tai\, a very strong negative prediction that amounts to a
prohibition. See on Matthew. Jesus probably spoke in the Aramaic
on this occasion. {And his disciples heard it} (\kai •kouon hoi
math•tai autou\). Imperfect tense, "were listening to it," and
evidently in amazement, for, after all, it was not the fault of
the poor fig tree that it had put out leaves. One often sees
peach blossoms nipped by the frost when they are too precocious
in the changeable weather. But Jesus offered no explanation at
this time.
11:15 {Began to cast out} (\•rxato ekballein\). Mark is fond of
"began." See on ¯Mt 21:12f. for discussion of this second
cleansing of the temple in its bearing on that in Joh 2:14f.
{Money-changers} (\kollubist•n\). This same late word in Mt
21:12 which see for discussion. It occurs in papyri.
11:16 {Through the temple} (\dia tou hierou\). The temple
authorities had prohibited using the outer court of the temple
through the Precinct as a sort of short cut or by-path from the
city to the Mount of Olives. But the rule was neglected and all
sorts of irreverent conduct was going on that stirred the spirit
of Jesus. This item is given only in Mark. Note the use of \hina\
after \•phie\ (imperfect tense) instead of the infinitive (the
usual construction).
11:17 {For all the nations} (\p•sin tois ethnesin\). Mark alone
has this phrase from Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11. The people as well as
the temple authorities were guilty of graft, extortion, and
desecration of the house of prayer. Jesus assumes and exercises
Messianic authority and dares to smite this political and
financial abuse. Some people deny the right of the preacher to
denounce such abuses in business and politics even when they
invade the realm of morals and religion. But Jesus did not
hesitate.
11:18 {Sought how they might destroy him} (\ez•toun p•s auton
apoles•sin\). Imperfect indicative, a continuous attitude and
endeavour. Note deliberative subjunctive with \p•s\ retained in
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