ACC ~ Mark 11 v12a

THE CHRONOLOGY OF DAYS

AUGUSTINE: Mark, on his side, has recorded in connection with the second day what he had omitted to notice as occurring really on the first—namely, the incident of the expulsion of the sellers and buyers from the temple. On the other hand, Matthew, after mentioning what was done on the second day—namely, the cursing of the fig tree as he was returning in the morning from Bethany into the city—has omitted certain facts which Mark has inserted, namely, his coming into the city, and his going out of it in the evening, and the astonishment which the disciples expressed at finding the tree dried up as they passed by in the morning; and then to what had taken place on the second day, which was the day on which the tree was cursed, he has attached what really took place on the third day—namely, the amazement of the disciples at seeing the tree’s withered condition, and the declaration which they heard from the Lord on the question of the power of faith. [1] HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 68.132. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 21:12-22; Mk 11:12-25.

[2] Cetedoc 0273, 2.68.131.234.10; NPNF 1 6:161-62*. Mark’s account does not contradict Matthew’s when the time differential is properly understood.

Mk