E14 Sabbath School Aug. 31: “Jerusalem Controversies”

The E14 Sabbath School, 31 August, at 9:15 am Australian Eastern Standard Time for discussion at 9:30. David Thiele will present “Jerusalem Controversies,” focused on Mark 11-12, outlined below.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://avondale.zoom.us/j/89246358573?pwd=Q4ca629whdS0dvC2AYwFt8btJMRmqI.1
Meeting ID: 892 4635 8573
Passcode: 303452

Outline:

1. Triumphal Entry  (11:1-11)
2. Cursed Fig Tree  (11:12-14; 22-26)
3. Cleansing of the Temple  (11:15-21)
4. Question of Authority  (11:27-33)
5. Parable of the vineyard  (12:1-12)
6. Question about Tax  (12:13-17)
7. Question about the afterlife  (12:18-27)
8. The Great Commandment  (12:28-34)

Questions:

1. What common theme(s) hold these incidents together? Or are they simply put together randomly?  (The literary unit actually includes all of Mark 11-13).
2. We call the first incident the triumphal entry, but is that an apt description of what happens? (11: 10-12)
3. What is the meaning of the cursing of the fig tree (11:12-14)?  (Note the observation from Bertrand Russell below this question).  How are the lessons drawn from the cursing of the fig tree (11:22-25) actually connected to the event of its cursing?