![]() While I am normally not a fan of reading into the text symbolism or meaning which is not there, in this case it does make some sense. One piece of evidence for this is the fact that this passage is mentioned in connection with the cleansing of the temple which is another manifestation of Israel’s “fruitless” status. While this passage doesn’t specifically mention the symbolism associated with this, many scholars believe that through this event Jesus is pronouncing judgment on Israel (which is sometimes referred to as a fig tree as in Jeremiah 8:13, Hosea 9:10) because it rejected Him and was fruitless spiritually despite all of God’s blessings. A fruitless tree is considered to be worthless, deserving nothing except to be cut down. We know that the Bible talks a lot about trees and fruit. This would not be surprising even if it was not the key season for figs because there were often more than one crop per year and sometimes a fig tree could have fruit for as much as ten months per year.ĭ. When they saw the tree from a distance the natural assumption would be that since it had leaves it also had fruit. Why did Jesus curse the tree when it was “out of season” for fruit? According to scholars, in Palestine the fruit appears before the leaves. That applies to a herd of pigs as in Mark 5:13 or trees, the donkey in the first part of Mark 11 or anything else.Ĭ. He is sovereign over Creation and has the right to use Creation for His own purposes. Because Jesus is the Son of God, everything belongs to Him. In fact, one could even pick grain or fruit from other’s fields/orchards, but there is no evidence that this was the case here. It was quite common at that time for travelers to pick fruit from trees that grew beside the road. Also, Peter did not rebuke Jesus for destroying someone’s property. Matthew 21:19 says that this tree was by the wayside. Jesus was using His words to command a miracle which would cause this tree to die.ī. In the New Testament a curse was a pronouncement of judgment on someone or something (see also Matthew 25:41). In modern day cursing often involves profanity or anger. A curse in the Bible is not the same as we consider a curse. The fig tree – It is often asked why did Jesus “curse” this fig tree? Was it a careless act of temper? Was He destroying someone’s property? Why would He destroy the tree if it was out of season? We will look at a few of these questions.Ī. Leviticus 14:22, Luke 2:24 – Birds were required for sacrifice. John 2:12-17 – This is the first time Jesus cleansed the temple.Įxodus 30:11-16 – Every man should pay a Jewish coin “half a shekel.” Matthew 7:17 – A good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit. ![]() John 15:5 – Abide in me and you will bear fruit. ![]() Luke 13:6-9 – If the fig tree doesn't bear fruit, cut it down. What lesson can we learn to apply to our lives today? Cross-References How did the chief priests and scribes react? Why do you think they defended this practice instead of condemning it? Why did Jesus prohibit them from doing this? What was the core problem? Why did the people do these same things again after the last time Jesus cast them out? If you had to guess, how long after Jesus cast them out the first time do you think they started again? What does this passage teach us about Jesus' character? ![]() What does this passage teach us about people? Was this the first time Jesus had driven out the businessmen in the temple? Why did Jesus “curse” the fig tree? Did He just lose His temper? Was there deeper meaning or a deeper lesson? What does the Bible say about believers, trees, and fruit? Curses the fig tree and drives sellers from temple (12-19)
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