Mark 11:12-14, 19-25 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Why would Jesus Christ - God on earth and creator of all things good - curse the fig tree. Upon reaching the tree, all He finds are leaves; the tree had produced no fruit. Some argue that Jesus was just using a simple horticultural observation. The fig tree symbolizes Israel. To see a fig tree covered with leaves but with no fruit meant that it was barren. Is it a morally conscious being, capable of sinning by not bearing fruit? The purpose of the fig leaf. It seems to be the only time he did something that wasn't meant in a positive way. 25 Answers. Jesus used the fig tree to illustrate the bad spiritual state of the nation. Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree? 21:20;). Let this be a lesson to us. Symbolism and Context of the Cursed Fig Tree . The fig tree is emblematic; it is an emblem or symbol of Israel whose ritual religion is like the leaves of the tree, lacking the “fruit” of righteousness God requires (Matt. 7 months ago. BJ. Jesus curses the fig tree because in it he has found only the appearance of fruitfulness — many leaves. 12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. He had a desire and when his desire was not fulfilled, he kind of acted impulsively and retaliated. – A Bit Extreme? I have been wondering why Jesus cursed the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22). Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? When Jesus cursed the fig tree, did it whither immediately or the next day? If Jesus was sinless then why did he curse the fig tree? The fact is that Jesus was hungry. At a distance, Jesus sees a fig tree with leaves, and being hungry, He approaches it hoping to find some fruit, since a fig tree often produces figs earlier than it produces foliage. Real Quick. Ripe, sweet figs are harvested in the summer, the season for figs to which Mark’s gospel refers. 2 months ago. Jesus then proceeds to curse the tree, saying "May no one ever eat from from you again." Because the leaves and the fruit typically appear at about the same time. There is a very reasonable explanation why Jesus cursed the fig tree even though it wasn’t the season for figs. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? Relevance. Or else, “I am unwell, I haven’t much talent, the conditions are not right, my surroundings…” These aren’t excuses either. Its gleaming buildings teemed with robbery, hypocrisy, and dead ceremony. Mark, the author of the book, adds the comment that "it was not the season for figs" (). The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. And if we follow the events as narrated by Matthew, Jesus had been furious the previous night (Matthew 21:12-17) and when he got … Many fault Jesus for cursing the tree. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. They can be found in Matthew 21 and Mark 11. Clarke concludes that Jesus did not curse the fig tree out of resentment for disappointing Him by not having any fruit, but to emphasize to His disciples just how devastating God's wrath would be on the Jews, "who had now nearly filled up the measure of their iniquity." The Got Questions link also explains the chronological sequence, which is highly significant. Roberta B. Lv 6. We answer that question in this week's episode of Real Truth. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. Figs, unlike other trees, start producing fruit before leaves. It doesn't, which Mark tells us is "because it was not the season for figs." Jesus, therefore, can curse the fig tree if He so desires. As the fig tree had leaves but no fruit, Israel had a temple, but no spiritual life. Relevance. It doesn't bring life, or restoration; a tree gets cursed. Lv 7. We provide over 4,500 articles and personal responses to questions about life, God, and the Bible here and at www.GotQuestions.org Second, understanding what it means for figs to be in season shows us how Jesus can expect fruit when it is not fig season. Mar 11:21 Being reminded, Peter *said to Him, "Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered." Why did he curse the fig tree 1. Jesus is the creator of the world In the beginning, all trees he created rought forth fruits in and out of season, there was always fruits for Adam and Eve to eat. While traveling from Bethany to Jerusalem four days before his death, he saw a fig tree that had abundant leaves but no fruit whatsoever. The account of Jesus cursing the fig tree during his final visit to Jerusalem (Matt. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree, when figs weren't in season? Can anyone tell me why did Jesus curse the figtree when it was out of season so naturally it wouldn't have had any fruit? Dr. Pitre connects the fig tree to the fall of Adam and Eve and the cleansing of the Temple to Isaiah's prophecy of eunuchs who will minister to … Why did Jesus associate a fig tree with the end time signs? xi 12 ff. John Bartlett Jr., AiG–U.S., examines this alleged contradiction. ), a stumbling block to many. At this point in late spring, most fig trees haven’t developed mature fruit (Mark 11:13). Why did Jesus curse the fig tree in the first place? Jesus Curses the Fig Tree. Bruce noted: "The other miracle is the cursing of the barren fig tree (Mk. When did Jesus speak these words? Its foliage signals that it should have early figs. 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