8
The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields.
9
Running ahead and following after, they were calling out, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God's name!
10
Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in highest heaven!
11
He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.
12
As they left Bethany the next day, he was hungry.
13
Off in the distance he saw a fig tree in full leaf. He came up to it expecting to find something for breakfast, but found nothing but fig leaves. (It wasn't yet the season for figs.)
14
He addressed the tree: "No one is going to eat fruit from you again - ever!" And his disciples overheard him.
15
They arrived at Jerusalem. Immediately on entering the Temple Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants.
16
He didn't let anyone even carry a basket through the Temple.
17
And then he taught them, quoting this text: My house was designated a house of prayer for the nations; You've turned it into a hangout for thieves.
18
The high priests and religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might get rid of him. They panicked, for the entire crowd was carried away by his teaching.