Jesus and the disciples return to Bethany in the evening; likely it's too dark to see the tree. I believe Jesus cursed the tree as an object lesson with a double purpose. Will he find only leaves? Though they do not yet fully understand, they will be the new caretakers of Godâs people (Matt. Itâs about all the people of God throughout time. So Jesus cursed the tree: "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again" (vs 14). 21:33â45). It is a fig tree, full of leaves, which would suggest fruitfulness. Rather, the fig tree is an obvious reference to Israel’s spiritual sterility. After His royal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus went to Bethany to spend the night. 21:18â22; Mark 11:12â14, 20â25). Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 8:12; Ezek. As any agrarian Israelite knew, the firstfruits of the harvest belong to God (Ex. The eschatological restoration has arrived. Jesus cursed the fig tree because it had the appearance of fruitfulness, but it was deceptive. Shortly after that in Mark 12:1-12 and Matthew 21:33-46, Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard. Two Lessons of the Fig Tree 4:4; Zech. Jesus Curses the Barren Fig Tree by Damien F. Mackey “It has puzzled people for generations why Jesus was so upset with a fig tree that by nature should not have had figs or leaves…”. Donât Outsource It. Except thereâs no fruit. Several times the prophets describe God as inspecting Israel for âearly figs,â as a sign of spiritual fruitfulness (Mic. Itâs another thing to lack it while pretending you have it. He knew He was going to be crucified in less than a week, but He still had much to teach His disciples. After Jesus had extended an extra year to the nation, its leaders had still not shown any fruit of repentance. 3:17). Matthew 21:17-22 : Jesus Curses the Fig Tree (Gospel of Matthew) Study the Inner Meaning 17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. And, as Jesus teaches here, they will do this by the power of faithful prayer. Leaves, but no fruit. But this particular tree draws Jesusâs attention because it already has a full covering of leaves. Mark isn’t trying to tell his audience that Jesus was angered at not having figs to eat — this would be very strange, given that he would have known that it was far too early in the year for that. The cursing of the fig tree occurred the day after Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. And the Jewish crowdsâgathering to celebrate Godâs past act of redemption (Passover/exodus)âhave just hailed Jesus as âkingâ while he leads a new exodus on a meaning-laden donkey (Zech. A lack of fruitfulness is a sign of Godâs curse for their rebellion (Deut. Jesus curses the fig tree and the disciples hear him. Jesus enters Jerusalem amid exultation from the masses gathered for Passover. And our churches can do the same. But all is not lost. “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. We are taken aback; this seems stunningly out of character for Jesus, the child-welcomer, compassionate healer, and storm-calmer. Specifically: it was not the time for Jewish leaders to “bear fruit,” and therefore they would be cursed by God never to bear any fruit ever again. Instead, Jesus is … But the root may be withered. And that made it all the worse. Jesus Curses a Fig Tree (Matthew 21:18-22) 18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Immediately: Matthew 21:19, “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. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown in the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 11:17). Thus the fig tree cursing is not just about historical Israel. He lives in Oviedo with his wife, Kate, and their three daughters. 10:35â37), which helps conceptualize their relationship to God: as his own special planting, they must yield spiritual fruit as his covenant people (Ps. Everything is lining up. He is immediately disappointed. Soberingly, this passage does not just remind us that a Christian by definition must produce spiritual fruit (even if only small early figs). He saw… What sort of petulant individual would deliver a gratuitous, arbitrary curse? While the disciples are marveling at the construction and apparent invincibility of the Temple, Jesus tells them that not one stone will be left on another. 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