Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The cursing of the fruitless fig tree. The cleansing of the temple. Teaching about faith, prayer, and forgiveness. The question of Christ’s authority.

1 And when they came near Jerusalem, toward Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples. 2 And He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and as soon as you enter there, you will find a colt tied, on which no one has yet sat. Untie it and bring it.” 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing that?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and he will immediately send it here.” 4 They went and found the donkey outside, tied near the door on the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing? Why are you untying that donkey?” 6 They told them just as Jesus had commanded, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the donkey to Jesus, threw their garments on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many were spreading their garments on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9 And those who were going ahead and those who were coming behind were crying out: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David. Hosanna in the highest.” 11 And Jesus entered Jerusalem and the temple. And after looking around at everything, since it was already evening, He went out to Bethany with the twelve. 12 The next day, when they went out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from a distance a leafy fig tree, He went to see if perhaps He might find something on it. When He came near it, He found nothing except leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Jesus answered and said to it, “Let no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And His disciples were listening. 15 And they came to Jerusalem. Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and buying in the temple. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who sold doves. 16 And He did not allow anyone to carry any vessel through the temple. 17 And He was teaching them and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the scribes and the chief priests heard it and were seeking how to put Him to death, because they were afraid of Him, since all the people were astonished at His teaching. 19 And when evening came, He went out of the city. 20 And in the morning, as they were passing by, they saw that the fig tree had dried up from the root. 21 Peter remembered and said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree that You cursed has withered.” 22 Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Rise up and be thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him, whatever he says. 24 For this reason I tell you: whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be given to you. 25 And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also, who is in heaven, may forgive your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, your Father also, who is in heaven, will not forgive your trespasses.” 27 And again they came to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the High Priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority to do these things?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you one thing. Answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.” 31 They were reasoning among themselves and saying, “If we say, ‘It was from heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’” 32 But if we say, ‘From men,’ they were afraid of the people, because everyone truly considered John to be a prophet. 33 And they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”