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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