Beth-El Baptist Church

04/10/2011

Greg Tomlinson


Is there any significance to Jesus' cursing of the fig tree?


In the Gospel of Matthew and Mark, there is recorded the event of Jesus cursing a fig tree and it then withers away. This is a curious event to consider whether or not there is more to this than just the fig tree.


  1. What happened to the fig tree?

Matthew 21:18-22 Mark 11:11-14, 20-24


While traveling with His disciples, Jesus saw a fig tree with many leaves on it. Although it was not the typical time of year for the tree to bear fruit, it would be right for the tree to have fruit since it had leaves. The leaves and the fruit appear near the same time. Once the fig tree has leaves, if it does not have fruit, it will not have any fruit for the entire season. Once Jesus discovered that the leafy fig tree did not have fruit, He cursed it by stating that may the tree never bear any fruit. The next day, Jesus with His disciples went back by the fig tree and noticed that it was already withered and dead. From here Jesus teaches the disciples a lesson about faith.


  1. Does the fig tree sometimes represent anything else?

Jeremiah 5:15-18; 8:12-15; 24:1-10 Nehemiah 13:15

Genesis 3:5-10 Deuteronomy 8:7-10

1 Kings 4:22-25 2 Kings 18:29-32

Proverbs 27:18 Song of Solomon 2:10-13

Micah 4:1-5 Matthew 24:32-34

Luke 13:6-9 Hosea 9:8-10

Joel 1:6-13


The fig tree is used for many great symbols in the scriptures. The first mention of the fig is when its leaves are used to cover sin. It is very only used as a symbol of prosperity and of new life. These various symbols are drawn together in some of Jesus' parables. In these parables, the nation of Israel is identified as representative of the nation of Israel. Israel was expected to grow, be prosperous, and bring life to all around them. In Joel, God is very clear that Israel is being represented by the fig tree and leaves but because of Israel's great sin, the nation will be dried up and rendered completely useless.


  1. What does it mean that the fig tree withered?

Isaiah 5:1-7 Hebrews 9:14-18

Hosea 2:21-23


The withering of the fig tree first points to the deadness of the nation of Israel. Instead of being prosperous, they will wither and die. Instead of being fruitful and bringing life to the world around them, they will be completely incapable of producing fruit. That which is dead cannot bear fruit. The withering of the fig tree (representative of Israel) indicates that the nation of Israel are withering and dying that they might cease to exist as a unique and special people of God.


  1. Why would the withering of the fig tree be indicative of the deadness of the nation of Israel?

Isaiah 29:10-14; 66:2-4 John 1:10-13

Romans 10:1-5


Israel has had long reputation of turning their back on the LORD even while they claim to obey and follow Him. The time has come for Israel to be finally separated from God as a people and for God to do a new thing, to build up a new people who will live according to faith and not according to their own imaginations.