cursing the fig tree
- Thread starter smellycat
- Start date
I never understood the cursing of the fig tree. He cursed it because there was no fruit on it, and yet the story says that it wasn't time for fruit to be on it. So why blame the tree and curse it? It sounds very unreasonable to expect fruit on the tree out of season and then get angry and blame the tree when there is no fruit. Maybe I'm missing the point of that story.
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
I love God’s word and its consistency, the Bible teaches a common theme from Gen. 1:1 thru Rev. 22:21.
The passage you referenced (Matthew 21:19) is a tree without fruits. As I see it, this symbolizes the fate of hypocrisy.
He who claim to be, should produce fruits that support such claim; i.e. those who claim to be saved by grace, should produce fruits worthy of such. However, we are not save by Good Fruits; Good Fruits provide evidence of our salvation.
The following scriptures clearly states the fate of those not producing good fruits (not saved):
- Matthew 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
- Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
- John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Good Day and God Bless
Looking at all the verses give you a better idea .
Matthew 21:18
[ The Fig Tree Withers ] Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.
Matthew 21:19
Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
Matthew 21:20
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.
Matthew 21:21
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.
I believe that Jesus was trying to teach the disciples a lesson on
" FAITH ".
If we believe we will get anything we ask for in prayer.
Matthew 21:18
[ The Fig Tree Withers ] Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.
Matthew 21:19
Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
Matthew 21:20
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.
Matthew 21:21
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.
I believe that Jesus was trying to teach the disciples a lesson on
" FAITH ".
If we believe we will get anything we ask for in prayer.
Excellent point, I agree. In addition, God's Word is Divine and Living with depths of wisdom and insights beyond measure.
Good Day and God Bless.
Ho ho - my view exactly. What he did on the surface was totally irrational. However the answer lies in the fact that the tradition of the Jews of his day was that the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" was indeed the fig tree. (only one specific fig tree)
It was only just a few days before the cross that he cursed this fig tree on the side of the Mount of Olives. He was saying on that day that never again would another fall occur - ever. He was about to go to the cross and thereby undo the results of the disobedience of Adam and Eve.
Matthew 21:19 (NASB)
And seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it, and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered.
The evil fruit of that original fig tree was the fall of mankind. The Disciples only supposed that he was looking for something to eat and really didn't catch on to what he was actually doing - they often didn't. He was reversing the curse of the fall that originated from when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit tree. In effect - he was destroying in symbolic form the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil."
Because of their disobedience Adam and Eve were ejected from the Garden of Eden, but after the Veil of the Holy Place was torn in two the symbolic Garden of Eden was once again open to the people who accepted the New Covenant which was created by the shedding of the blood of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
That's my best answer.
Larry II
The reason Jesus was upset is even though it was not time for the figs, the fig tree did not produce leave except when it was also producing fruit. So when Jesus saw the leaves He expected it to have fruit. The cursing of the fig tree was synonumous to those who seem to be someone who should produce fruit such as a christian or pastor but does not, or in reference to Jesus' day the Jewish religious system was not producing the fruit God intended it to.
B
Boanerges(Inactive)
Guest
Perhaps all should bear fruit in His presence?
Ezek33 is right! I heard a teaching on this once. The fig tree produces fruit and leaves at the same time so if a fig tree has leaves the assumption is it will have fruit as well. That particular tree did not so Jesus cursed it. I personally believe it was a sort of parable for "phony" Christianity in the sense that we shouldn't just look or sound like we are Christians, talking all the right talk, displaying all the right paraphernalia but we should bare fruit in our walk. I think it also has a tie in with the scripture that says you will know real Christians by their fruit
.
.Thankyou Larry II for that explanation. I never thought of it like that but it makes perfect sense. I am going to dwell on this more .and give it more thought.
Thanks for sharing that . It opens up a lot more to me . Wow, that is exciting . Now my little thought seems so insignificant. Bless you .
My question concerns the fact that Mark 11:13 says that it wasn't time for figs. If leaves and fruit grow at the same time, why is that I have seen lots of fruit trees with leaves BEFORE the fruit grew? Also, if it wasn't time for the fruit to grow, the cursing makes no sense to me.
I have a fig tree, and it is winter time here, the weather is cold, and there are figs on our tree. So, fig trees do have fruit on them when there is leaves on it. I was surprised to see this, though, as fig trees favor hot weather and lots of sun.
Keep in mind, the word of God offers first "Truth" and it speaks many things to many people. In God's word, there is a wealth of insights to those who are able to find it.
The statement "for the time of figs was not yet" in Mark 11:13 tells me that:
A person who claims to be a Christian, who does not provide fruits to support such claim; is like a fig tree to a hungry person, when the fig tree is out of season (it is of no value).
In the scriptural passage Mark 11:12, Jesus was hungry but the fig tree had no fruit, thus the fig tree had no value. We as Christians are to be Christians in and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2); if not, we too have no value.
Remember, God's word often have many applications. Most of us see this when we reread a passage at a later date and discover a new insight/understanding, such makes the Bible to be different from any other book (it is Holy).
What I get from this passage in Matthew 21 & Mark 11 is a message about Hypocrisy and Faith.
Good day and God Bless
least in the kingdom
Inactive
Matthew 3:10 "The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (NASB ©1995)
Psalm 92:12 The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Matthew 7:19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Luke 3:9 "Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
Acts 26:20 "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; (NASB ©1995)
Luke 3:8 "Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.
Acts 26:20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.
Ephesians 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
Ephesians 5:9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
"[26:12-23] Paul was made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelation of Christ both to him and in him; when in the full career of his sin. He was made a minister by Divine authority: the same Jesus who appeared to him in that glorious light, ordered him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. A world that sits in darkness must be enlightened; those must be brought to know the things that belong to their everlasting peace, who are yet ignorant of them. A world that lies in wickedness must be sanctified and reformed; it is not enough for them to have their eyes opened, they must have their hearts renewed; not enough to be turned from darkness to light, but they must be turned from the power of Satan unto God. All who are turned from sin to God, are not only pardoned, but have a grant of a rich inheritance. The forgiveness of sins makes way for this. None can be happy who are not holy; and to be saints in heaven we must be first saints on earth. We are made holy, and saved by faith in Christ; by which we rely upon Christ as the Lord our Righteousness, and give up ourselves to him as the Lord our Ruler; by this we receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. The cross of Christ was a stumbling-block to the Jews, and they were in a rage at Paul's preaching the fulfilling of the Old Testament predictions. Christ should be the first that should rise from the dead; the Head or principal One. Also, it was foretold by the prophets, that the Gentiles should be brought to the knowledge of God by the Messiah; and what in this could the Jews justly be displeased at? Thus the true convert can give a reason of his hope, and a good account of the change manifest in him. Yet for going about and calling on men thus to repent and to be converted, vast numbers have been blamed and persecuted." Matthew Henry
http://biblecommenter.com/acts/26-20.htm
Psalm 92:12 The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Matthew 7:19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Luke 3:9 "Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
Acts 26:20 "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; (NASB ©1995)
Luke 3:8 "Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.
Acts 26:20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.
Ephesians 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
Ephesians 5:9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
"[26:12-23] Paul was made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelation of Christ both to him and in him; when in the full career of his sin. He was made a minister by Divine authority: the same Jesus who appeared to him in that glorious light, ordered him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. A world that sits in darkness must be enlightened; those must be brought to know the things that belong to their everlasting peace, who are yet ignorant of them. A world that lies in wickedness must be sanctified and reformed; it is not enough for them to have their eyes opened, they must have their hearts renewed; not enough to be turned from darkness to light, but they must be turned from the power of Satan unto God. All who are turned from sin to God, are not only pardoned, but have a grant of a rich inheritance. The forgiveness of sins makes way for this. None can be happy who are not holy; and to be saints in heaven we must be first saints on earth. We are made holy, and saved by faith in Christ; by which we rely upon Christ as the Lord our Righteousness, and give up ourselves to him as the Lord our Ruler; by this we receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. The cross of Christ was a stumbling-block to the Jews, and they were in a rage at Paul's preaching the fulfilling of the Old Testament predictions. Christ should be the first that should rise from the dead; the Head or principal One. Also, it was foretold by the prophets, that the Gentiles should be brought to the knowledge of God by the Messiah; and what in this could the Jews justly be displeased at? Thus the true convert can give a reason of his hope, and a good account of the change manifest in him. Yet for going about and calling on men thus to repent and to be converted, vast numbers have been blamed and persecuted." Matthew Henry
http://biblecommenter.com/acts/26-20.htm
add my 2 cents to make it 4 cents.
God grace is with us, up to our earthly death or His coming, we should not waste our time being unfruitful:
Luke 13:6-9 (KJV)
6. He spake also this parable; a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8. And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9. And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Luke 13:6-9 (Living Bible)
6. Then he used this illustration: ``A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if he could find any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.
7. Finally he told his gardener to cut it down. `I've waited three years and there hasn't been a single fig!' he said. `Why bother with it any longer? It's taking up space we can use for something else.'
8. ```Give it one more chance,' the gardener answered. `Leave it another year, and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer.
9. If we get figs next year, fine; if not, I'll cut it down.''
He is a Loving Longsuffering Lord.
Good Day and God Bless
I think this is probably the best answer based on the immediate context. A friend and I have been studying Mark from the beginning of the book, and recently we came across this passage in chapter 11. It's interesting that this is what happens:
1. Jesus sees the fig tree and curses it.
2. Jesus goes into the temple and drives out the moneychangers.
3. Jesus and his disciples see the fig tree withered after leaving the city.
I found it interesting that Mark chose to insert Jesus' cleansing of the temple in between the cursing of the fig tree and its withering. The fact that these events are all next to each other shouldn't be overlooked. The fig tree is a symbol of Israel, and not just the nation but its failure to bear fruit. A strikingly similar metaphor is used in Isaiah 5:1-6, where Israel is described as a vineyard that produced no fruit. Jesus, God himself, came to the "vineyard" and found it to be woefully lacking in fruit.
The truth that lack of fruit leads to a curse can also be found in Heb. 6:7-8:
For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.
If we claim to be Christians, children of God who are truly born from above, our lives should show it. No one has the right to call themselves a Christian who has no spiritual fruit, no change in his or her life.