Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree

The miracles of Jesus are defined as an event that occurs outside of the laws of nature or science.  While I was looking at all the miracles, I found one that didn’t fit into any of the usual categories. It was the only miracle Jesus uses as a judgement. This week we are going to look at the miracle of Jesus and the Fig Tree.

Jesus and the Fig Tree- text on white background with 7 real figs, one cut open to reveal inside fruit

What Does the Bible Say about Fig Trees?

Fig trees first appear in Genesis 3:7 when Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves to cover themselves after they sinned.

Is Israel the Fig Tree?

There are many verses describing the Nation of Israel using the metaphor of the fig tree and its fruit.

Here are a few examples:

•Fig trees were a symbol of Israel’s relationship with God (Hosea 9:10)

•They describe the rebellious people of Israel as having “none of the early figs” (spiritual fruit) that God was looking for. (Micah 7:1 NIV)

•When Israel persisted in defying God, He likens them to “rotten figs.” (Jeremiah 29:17 NLT)

•But God also promises to restore Israel, and “the fig tree and vine” will “yield their riches.” (Joel 2:22 NIV)

God was specific in His instructions to the Israelites to follow His ways, be faithful to Him, and delight in His presence.  It was the path that would produce spiritual fruit in their lives.

The Story of the Fig Tree

This miracle is also a Parable, so it will be doubly interesting.  It’s found in Matthew 21:18-22.  Let’s set the scene:

It was Passover, and Jesus had just entered Jerusalem triumphantly, riding on a donkey.  He knew full well His crucifixion was looming…

He spent the day teaching in the temple; in conflict with the Pharisees who were desperate to have Him killed.  Keeping with His nature, he healed many people while He was there.

He also cleared the temple for the second time (because they didn’t listen to Him the first time…) of the merchants and the money changers who cheated people coming for Passover.  The people needed to buy sacrificial animals and have their currency changed.

They had also set up in the only place where the Gentiles could worship, crowding them out.

It was a long, exhausting day.  After this day of conflict and tension, Jesus returned to his friends in Bethany for peace, rest, and fellowship. (Don’t you love that Jesus modeled this approach for when our lives are chaotic?  I recently put it to use in my own life…)

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

“Early in the morning, as He was on His way back to the city, He was hungry. 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.” vv18-19.

At first glance you may think, whoa- Jesus just killed a fruitless fig tree because He was hungry. Cursing the fig tree seems to go against all we know of Jesus’ character; that is not His nature.  There is much more in this story for us to unpack.

Jesus was using a miracle to demonstrate His judgement on the nation of Israel and He incorporated a parable to teach them what it meant.

The Fig Tree in the Bible

It would have been an unusual sight to see a fig tree in its fully leafed out stage in the early spring season around Passover.  Normally, they would have neither leaves nor fully ripened fruit.  They should have only small fruit buds and no leaves.

Leaves on a fig tree are a sign that the fruit is ripe and ready to eat.  This fig tree looked as if it would be full of figs.  That was Jesus’ expectation.  But all He found were leaves; no fruit.  False advertising, so to speak.

“When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. ‘How did the fig tree wither so quickly?’ they asked.  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.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”  vv 20-22.

Are you confused?  What is going on here?  Now it appears to us that Jesus is giving a lesson on the power of faithful prayer.

But the miracle now turns into a parable about spiritual fruit and faith.  The disciples had seen Jesus perform possibly thousands of miracles. Why did they question the withered fig tree?

Their faith was still weak.

Jesus and the Fig Tree- close up of fig tree with small fruit

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Spiritual Fruit

Jesus was giving the disciples a vivid picture of the consequences of a spiritually fruitless life.

He had taught on the subject previously:

You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” Matthew 7: 16-17(NKJV)

Your fruit reveals who you are.

The Spiritual Meaning of the Fig Tree

The fruitless fig tree in this Parable was a symbolic judgement of the moral and religious character of the Jewish people. Just days prior they shouted “Hosanna” to their King, but later would turn to cry out “Crucify him”!

They were spiritually as barren as the fig tree.

It was also a warning to the Jewish leaders, teachers, and Pharisees who professed to lead God’s people, but then rejected the Messiah who came to save them. They were deceivers and hypocrites; also guilty of “false advertising”.  Like the outwardly leafy fig tree, they only looked good from the outside.

Their faith was not genuine; they produced no spiritual fruit.

Lessons from the Cursed Fig Tree

•The Fruitless Fig Tree

Israel was just like the fruitless fig tree.  They had outward signs of a spiritual life but produced no fruit. Fruitlessness leads to His judgement.  That is true for us today.

Living the Christian life is about growing in our knowledge of God and producing fruit that glorifies Him.  Our fruit is becoming more like Jesus in our character and works.  It is heartfelt worship, praise, and an intimacy with Him.  It should cause us to witness to others about the difference He makes in our lives.

Are you producing fruit? What kind? (there are many!)

•Jesus Teaches About Prayer

When the disciples asked Jesus to explain what happened to the fig tree, He talks to them about prayer.  It might seem to us like a complete 180 from cursing a fig tree, but Jesus was addressing their doubt and lack of faith.

Their prayers needed to focus on faith, not the object of their request. They should ask; believing it can be done.

Their prayers must come from a genuine and complete trust in Jesus.  They needed faith that He can solve the greatest of difficulties.

It is impossible to move a mountain into the sea, but Jesus’ point was that God can do anything. Nothing is impossible for Him.

What mountains are in your life today?  Do you trust God to move it? To use it?

•The Parable of the Fig Tree

Why is the Parable of Jesus and the fig tree important?

God created us with a purpose- a Godly purpose that began long ago with the people of Israel.  Israel may have looked good from the outside. They had their sacrifices, prayers, temples, and priests.  But they were all “leaf” and no fruit.

They had no true inner faith.  It all came to a climax when their Messiah came down from Heaven and they refused to accept Him.

These few short verses of the parable of the fig tree are important lessons for us today.  We need to examine ourselves and our churches for the presence of good fruit.

Our Christian life is all about our growing and living faith that produces fruit to glorify our magnificent God. We are His chosen people; His prized possession and special treasure.

Jesus is looking at us and His church to see what spiritual fruit we are producing.  Our branches, laden with fruit, can stretch far and wide across the earth.  And we will accomplish this with a deep faith in Jesus.

Blessings!

AnnMarie

Photo Credit: Canva, Pixabay

christian resources for mental health- field of yellow and purple flowers with hazy background

11 thoughts on “Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree”

    1. Thank you for letting me know, Missy. It is so encouraging to hear. I love this story and learned so much while writing it! God bless you- AnnMarie

  1. Pingback: the tree had no fruit when jesus saw it - Saw Tool

  2. I couldn’t find words on how blessed I am upon reading this.
    It made me reflect on how my spiritual life is.
    Thank you, Ms. Ann.
    God bless!

    1. I’m so glad! Thank you for encouraging me with your kind words. All the glory goes to our God who directs and guides me so faithfully.

    1. Thank you Paula so much for taking the time to encourage me with your words. God is so gracious to me, guiding and directing my writing. All glory and honor to Him!!!

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