Teaching, Warnings, and the Authority of Christ
After the powerful events of Monday—cleansing the Temple and cursing the fig tree—Tuesday of Passion Week was a day filled with intense teaching, bold confrontation, and prophetic warning. Jesus returned to the Temple, and what followed was one of the longest recorded days of teaching in all of the Gospels.
Let’s walk through what happened on this pivotal day and how it still speaks clearly to us today.
A Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree
Mark 11:20–21 (ESV)
“As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’”
The disciples noticed the fig tree Jesus cursed the day before had completely withered from the roots. Jesus used it as a moment to teach about faith and prayer.
Mark 11:22–24 (ESV)
“Have faith in God… whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
This reinforces our belief in the power of prayer rooted in genuine faith—not in prosperity promises, but in trusting God to act according to His will and timing.
Jesus’ Authority Challenged
Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33; Luke 20:1–8
Back in the Temple, the religious leaders approached Jesus and demanded, “By what authority are you doing these things?” Jesus responded with a question about John the Baptist’s authority, exposing their spiritual cowardice and political posturing.
This moment showed the growing tension. The religious leaders were not truly seeking truth—they were seeking to trap Jesus.
We must recognize the absolute authority of Jesus as the Son of God.
Parables of Warning
Jesus followed this with a series of parables aimed directly at the religious elite:
- The Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28–32)
A contrast between speaking about obedience and real obedience. - The Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33–46)
A powerful indictment of Israel’s rejection of God’s messengers—and His Son. - The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1–14)
A warning not just to the leaders, but to all who reject God’s invitation.
Each parable pointed to a central truth: God’s Kingdom will not be inherited because of status, but by humble, obedient faith in Jesus.
Jesus Answers and Confronts
The religious leaders tried to trap Jesus with tricky questions:
- Should we pay taxes to Caesar? (Matthew 22:15–22) “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
- What happens in the resurrection? (Matthew 22:23–33)
Jesus exposed their misunderstanding of Scripture and the power of God. - What is the greatest commandment? (Matthew 22:34–40) “You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself.”
Each time, Jesus answered with wisdom and authority, leaving His critics speechless.
A Warning to the Religious Elite
Jesus then turned to the crowds and delivered a scathing rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. This chapter contains the famous “seven woes,” where Jesus called out their hypocrisy, pride, and false piety.
Matthew 23:27 (ESV)
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs…”
This was a righteous call to repentance. Jesus was confronting their spiritual blindness and called them to see the truth.
Lament Over Jerusalem
As Tuesday came to a close, Jesus looked over the city and wept:
Matthew 23:37 (ESV)
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
This moment shows the heart of Christ. Even in rebuke, His desire was to save, to gather, to redeem.
What Tuesday Teaches Us
- Jesus is the ultimate authority. His words are true and final.
- Religious appearance is not enough. God desires humble, obedient hearts.
- God’s invitation is clear.
Don’t assume spiritual status—respond with repentance and faith. - Christ’s warnings are motivated by love. His judgment is real, and so is His grace.
Reflection
Tuesday of Passion Week reminds us that Jesus didn’t avoid hard truth—He embraced it, spoke it, and lived it. We hold fast to the authority of God’s Word, the power of the gospel, and the urgent call to repentance.
As we continue toward the cross, may we let His words challenge us, change us, and draw us deeper into His Word and grace.