Matthew 21:18

KJV

¶ Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} in the morning {G4405} as he returned {G1877} into {G1519} the city {G4172}, he hungered {G3983}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The next morning, on his way back to the city, he felt hungry.

Berean Standard Bible

In the morning, as Jesus was returning to the city, He was hungry.

American Standard Version

Now in the morning as he returned to the city, he hungered.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 21:18 presents a concise yet profoundly significant detail: Jesus, returning to Jerusalem early in the morning, experienced hunger. This seemingly mundane physical sensation underscores the full humanity of Christ, setting a relatable stage for the dramatic events that immediately follow, particularly the symbolic cursing of the barren fig tree, which serves as a powerful object lesson on spiritual fruitfulness and divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the beginning of the second day of what is traditionally known as Passion Week, a period of intense activity leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. The preceding day, Palm Sunday, saw Jesus' [triumphal entry into Jerusalem](/matthew/21-1-11 "Matthew 21:1-11 - The Triumphal Entry"), where He was hailed as King, followed by His authoritative act of [cleansing the Temple](/matthew/21-12-17 "Matthew 21:12-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple"), driving out merchants and money-changers. After these confrontational events, Jesus spent the night outside the city, likely in Bethany, a village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Matthew 21:18 thus transitions from the public drama of the previous day to a more personal, yet equally significant, moment that immediately precedes the symbolic action of the fig tree (Matthew 21:19-22), which in turn leads into a series of parables and confrontations with religious leaders (Matthew 21:23-46).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jerusalem during Passover week was a bustling metropolis, with its population swelling significantly due to pilgrims from across the Jewish world. This was a time of heightened religious fervor and political tension. Bethany, a small village about two miles east of Jerusalem, served as Jesus' base during this final week, offering a quieter retreat from the intensity of the city. His daily routine involved traveling into Jerusalem for ministry and teaching, and then returning to Bethany in the evenings. The mention of "morning" (G4405, *prōḯa*) indicates the early hours, before the heat of the day, when people would typically begin their daily activities. Hunger was a common experience, especially for those who traveled on foot and relied on hospitality or immediate provisions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse subtly introduces and reinforces several key themes. Firstly, it powerfully highlights **Jesus' full humanity**. Despite His divine nature, He experienced genuine physical needs, demonstrating His complete identification with the human condition. Secondly, it serves as a **prelude to judgment and fruitfulness**. Jesus' hunger for fruit from the fig tree (mentioned in the subsequent verse) becomes the catalyst for a profound object lesson about the spiritual barrenness of Israel's religious leadership and the necessity of bearing fruit for God's kingdom, a theme echoed throughout [Jesus' parables](/matthew/21-28-46 "Matthew 21:28-46 - Parables of Judgment"). Thirdly, it underscores **Jesus' authority**, as even a simple human need can be woven into His divine purpose to teach and demonstrate spiritual truths.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **morning (Greek, _prōḯa'_):** This term (G4405) refers to "day-dawn" or "early morning." Its inclusion emphasizes the very start of the day, suggesting Jesus' promptness in returning to His ministry in the city. It sets a temporal marker for the subsequent events, highlighting that the incident with the fig tree occurred immediately as Jesus began His day's work.
* **returned (Greek, _epanágō'_):** The verb (G1877) means "to lead up on," "to put out (to sea)," or "to return." In this context, it specifically denotes Jesus' return to Jerusalem from Bethany. This word implies a purposeful movement back to the center of His public ministry and the impending confrontations that awaited Him, underscoring the deliberate nature of His journey towards His ultimate sacrifice.
* **hungered (Greek, _peináō'_):** Derived from a word suggesting "pinching toil" or "famish" (G3983), this verb directly conveys the physical sensation of being hungry or craving food. Its use here is straightforward and unambiguous, reinforcing the reality of Jesus' physical body and its needs. This detail is not merely incidental but foundational, emphasizing Jesus' genuine human experience and setting the stage for the narrative about the fig tree's barrenness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now in the morning":** This phrase establishes the temporal setting, marking the beginning of a new day in Jesus' final week. It signifies a transition from the events of the previous day and sets the stage for the unfolding narrative, emphasizing the early hour of Jesus' return to His mission in Jerusalem.
* **"as he returned into the city":** This clause describes Jesus' physical journey back to Jerusalem from His overnight stay, likely in Bethany. It highlights His consistent engagement with the city, where His primary ministry and the climactic events of Passion Week were to occur. This daily commute underscores His commitment to His mission despite the growing hostility.
* **"he hungered":** This simple yet profound statement reveals Jesus' genuine human nature. It is a direct and unembellished declaration of a basic physical need, affirming that the Son of God truly experienced the limitations and sensations common to all humanity. This hunger becomes the immediate catalyst for the subsequent encounter with the fig tree.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices, primarily **Realism** and **Foreshadowing**. The detail that Jesus "hungered" is a striking example of **Realism**, presenting a vivid and relatable depiction of Christ's genuine humanity. It grounds the divine Son in the mundane experiences of human existence, making Him accessible and empathetic. This seemingly ordinary detail also functions as powerful **Foreshadowing**. Jesus' physical hunger for fruit immediately precedes and directly motivates His encounter with the barren fig tree in the following verses. His natural human need thus becomes a symbolic trigger for a profound spiritual lesson about the lack of spiritual fruit in Israel and the impending judgment, linking a simple physical sensation to a weighty theological truth. The **Juxtaposition** of Jesus' divine authority (demonstrated the previous day in the Temple cleansing) with His very human vulnerability (hunger) further enriches the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 21:18, though brief, carries significant theological weight by unequivocally affirming the full humanity of Jesus Christ. His hunger is not a mere literary flourish but a profound statement of the Incarnation—that God truly became flesh and dwelt among us, experiencing the full spectrum of human existence, including its physical limitations and needs. This detail deepens our understanding of Jesus as our sympathetic High Priest, one who can genuinely empathize with our weaknesses because He Himself was tempted in every respect, yet without sin. It underscores His solidarity with humanity, making His subsequent sacrifice all the more meaningful, as it was offered by one who fully knew and shared in our condition. This verse also subtly sets the stage for the theme of divine expectation and judgment, as Jesus' hunger for fruit from the fig tree immediately transitions into a powerful object lesson about spiritual barrenness.

* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")
* [Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Jesus' Humiliation and Incarnation")
* [Luke 4:2](/luke/4-2 "Luke 4:2 - Jesus' Temptation and Hunger in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The simple statement that Jesus "hungered" offers a profound point of connection and comfort. It reminds us that our Savior is not a distant, ethereal deity, but one who fully entered into the human experience, sharing in our vulnerabilities, needs, and limitations. This empathy means that when we face physical weakness, emotional strain, or any form of human struggle, we have a High Priest who understands, having personally walked in our shoes. His hunger also serves as a crucial setup for the ensuing lesson of the fig tree, teaching us that even our ordinary human experiences can be divinely orchestrated to reveal deeper spiritual truths about fruitfulness, faith, and God's expectations. For us, this prompts self-reflection: Are we bearing the spiritual fruit that Christ seeks? Do we allow our daily experiences, even the mundane ones, to open our eyes to God's larger purposes and lessons? This verse calls us to embrace our humanity while striving for spiritual abundance, knowing that our relatable Savior both understands our needs and calls us to a life of fruitful obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' experience of hunger deepen your understanding of His humanity and empathy for your own struggles?**
* **In what ways does this seemingly simple detail set the stage for profound spiritual lessons about fruitfulness and judgment in your own life?**
* **How does knowing Jesus experienced physical needs encourage you in your own weaknesses and limitations?**

### FAQ
**Was Jesus truly hungry, or was this a symbolic hunger?**

Answer: The text indicates that Jesus experienced genuine, physical hunger. The Greek word *peinaō* (G3983) is used throughout the New Testament to describe actual physical hunger (e.g., [Matthew 4:2](/matthew/4-2 "Matthew 4:2 - Jesus Hungers in the Wilderness"), [Luke 6:25](/luke/6-25 "Luke 6:25 - Woe to You Who Are Full")). While His hunger immediately precedes a symbolic action (the cursing of the fig tree), the hunger itself is presented as a real human sensation, underscoring His full humanity. This authenticity makes the subsequent symbolic act even more impactful, as a real human need becomes the catalyst for a divine object lesson.

**Why is Jesus' hunger mentioned specifically at this point in the narrative?**

Answer: Jesus' hunger is not a random detail but serves a crucial narrative and theological purpose. It acts as the immediate catalyst for the incident with the fig tree in the very next verse ([Matthew 21:19](/matthew/21-19 "Matthew 21:19 - The Cursing of the Fig Tree")). Because He was hungry, Jesus sought fruit from the tree. Its barrenness then became a powerful visual parable, symbolizing the spiritual unfruitfulness of Israel, particularly its religious leaders, who had the outward appearance of piety but lacked genuine spiritual fruit. Thus, a simple human need is divinely woven into a profound lesson about judgment and the necessity of bearing fruit for God's kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 21:18, by highlighting Jesus' hunger, profoundly underscores His Christ-centered fulfillment as the Son of God who fully embraced humanity. This seemingly ordinary detail is foundational to the Gospel's message, demonstrating that the promised Messiah was not a distant, unfeeling deity, but one who truly "emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Jesus' Humiliation and Incarnation")). His hunger connects Him to the very human experience of need and vulnerability, making Him the perfect sympathetic High Priest who can "sympathize with our weaknesses, for in every respect he has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). This shared humanity, exemplified by His hunger, is essential for His redemptive work, as only a fully human, yet sinless, sacrifice could atone for the sins of humanity. Furthermore, His hunger for fruit, leading to the fig tree incident, foreshadows His ultimate mission to seek and save the lost, calling all to spiritual fruitfulness and preparing the way for the new covenant in His blood, where He Himself is the true "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) who satisfies all spiritual hunger.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 4:2

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

Matthew 12:1

¶ At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

Mark 11:20

And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].

Mark 11:12

¶ And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:

Mark 11:14

And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard [it].