Q: Why does Jesus curse the fig tree simply because it does not have fruit even though He knows it is not the season for figs? —Richard
A: In Mark 11:12-21 we find the account of Jesus cursing the fig tree and its subsequent withering. It’s important to realize that Jesus didn’t condemn the fig tree simply because it lacked fruit. He was providing a prophetic sign for the people (see Isaiah 20:1-6; Jeremiah 13:1-11; 19:1-13; Ezekiel 4:1-17). Jesus used the fruitless fig tree as a metaphor for the judgment He was pronouncing on the Temple and the worship of Israel—things that also contained no fruit (In AD 70, this judgment was realized with the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem by the Romans).
It’s interesting to note that Mark placed the two parts of this story around the “temple cleansing” episode (Mark 11:15-19). The reason? They cover the same ground. Earlier, Jesus had taught the parable of the fig tree that was facing possible destruction (Luke 13:6-9). The withering fig tree was an illustration—again, showing the fate of the Jewish nation if it chose not to repent. —Tom Felten
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daisymarygoldr on March 12, 2012 at 6:26 pm
Jesus cursed the fig tree which was all leaves and no fruit. In the Bible, fig leaves stand for works of self-righteousness. Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together, to cover themselves. Fruit refers to fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:9 NKJV). A “fig tree in full leaf” represents those bustling with religious activity but having no “fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11NKJV).
To fig-ure out why Jesus cursed the fig tree, we need to see this in a larger context. This event took place between Palm Sunday and the temple cleansing episode. Looks like the Lord was least impressed with false worship even if it involved waving leaves of palm branches, loud hosannas and lucrative temple rituals. Point is: no matter how loudly we sing hallelujahs, if our hearts are far from God, our praise will be seen as only lip-synching. God is not honored in the outward religiosity of beautiful church buildings and He gets no glory in glass-paned Crystal Cathedrals.
True, Jesus was symbolically pronouncing judgment on Israel and that is not the end of the matter. These things are written in the Scriptures to teach us important lessons for today. Jesus is also pronouncing judgment on the Church ─ on those who profess to be Christians but have no evidence of fruit that comes from abiding in the right relationship with Christ (John 15:6).
In cursing the fig tree, Jesus provides a visual example of the necessity of faith (Mark 11:22) that enables fruit-bearing (Philippians 1:11). The Creator knows it was not the season for figs. He also knows the righteous in Christ yield fruit all year round─ whether in season or out of season. The lesson we must not fail to learn from the fig tree is: mere lip-service to profess Jesus as King is not enough. We must bring forth fruits of repentance and prove our faith with works ─ otherwise our faith is dead like the withered fig tree.