The first few days of Passover Week Jesus goes to Jerusalem in the morning, then returns to Bethany at the end of the day. See Mark 11:12 and 19. Bethany is about 2 miles from Jerusalem and was the home of Jesus’ friends, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
On Monday, on the way to the temple Jesus pronounced a curse on a fig tree which had no figs. One interpretation is that the tree represented a spiritually barren Israel.
He then visited the temple and cast out those who were buying and selling there and turned over the tables of the money changers. This appears to be a repeat of the same act performed on His first visit to Jerusalem recorded in John 2.
What reason did He give for cleansing the temple? (Luke 19:46).
What statements is Jesus making about the Jewish nations in the cursing of the fig tree and in cleansing the temple?
At some point, perhaps on Monday, a discussion recorded by John takes place in which Jesus discusses His death. This was prompted by some Greeks who had come to the feast who were curious about Jesus (John 12:20-36).
Note what Jesus says about his “hour” in the following verses: John 2:4, 7:30, 8:20 versus 12:23 and 12:27.
What attitudes do you see from Jesus about his coming crucifixion in 12:23 and 27?
Share you answers or any other thoughts you have in the comments section below.
Lakeshore Bible Study Online 
In John 12, it appears Jesus shows human emotions of being troubled by what is about to occur. However, he knows it is the fathers will.
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That’s a great example to follow.
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I have always been puzzled about Matthews’s statement about the fig tree, that it was not the season for figs. Yet Jesus curses the fig tree for not having fruit. As I say, a puzzle.
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It puzzles me as well. Almost sounds like he was angry because he was hungry and there were no figs.
I think, in harmony with all the events in todays and tomorrow’s reading, the fig tree is symbolic for the nation of Israel that had become unfruitful and its cursing is a symbolic for God’s judgment on Israel.
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Going into the crucifixion he seemed determined to the will of His father.
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