Fig Tree and Temple Interpret Fruitless Worship

Leaves without fruit, and a house meant for the nations

The next day, coming from Bethany, he is hungry. Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he comes if haply he might find any thing thereon. He finds nothing but leaves, for the time of figs was not yet. He says, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. They enter Jerusalem. Jesus goes into the temple and begins to cast out them that sold and bought, overthrows the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of them that sold doves, and would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. He teaches, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. The scribes and chief priests hear and seek how they might destroy him, because all the people are astonished at his doctrine. When even is come, he goes out of the city.

In the morning they see the fig tree dried up from the roots. Have faith in God. Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith. What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. The KJV also carries the reciprocal word: if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father forgive. The fig tree and the temple interpret fruitless, exploitative worship. Jesus is cleansing his Father's house for the nations, not attacking the Jewish people. The temple action does not authorize antisemitism, attacks on worship sites, or religious violence.