There appears to be a number of inconsistences regarding Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem and the fig tree story between Mark & Matthew, can they be reconciled?
Sequence of events:
Matthew 21:1-22
Jesus went to Jerusalem (21:7-9)
drove out the money changers (12-13)
he spent the night at Bethany (verse 17)
The next morning, seeing the fig tree by the road he cursed the fruitless fig tree that withered immediately, disciples were amazed how quickly it withered(18-20)
Mark 11:1-22
Jesus made his Entry into Jerusalem(7-10)
Looked around and he returned to Bethany, as it was late (verse 11)
The next morning, seeing in the distance, Jesus cursed a fruitless fig tree (12-14)
he drove out the money changers from the Temple on the second day (15-17)
he spent another night in Bethany (verse 19)
the next morning it was discovered the fig tree had withered (20-21)
There are ‘Additional’ Q to the duplicate and hope for a more comprehensive response, as previous A, arguably lacking.
Did Jesus curse the fig tree before or after driving out the money changers?
Did the fig tree wither immediately or the next day?
Was the tree at a distance or by the road (or is this a cover up as Jesus had supernatural knowledge)?
How many nights did he spend I Bethany 1 or 2?
Does Matthew portray a truly triumphant entry while Mark portrays a less glorious entry?
Or is this a fictional enhancement of a miracle from the parable in Luke 13?
Luke 13:6 - 6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’