Jesus curses the fig tree

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This gospel account makes no sense and almost seems irrelevant in Mark 11:12-14.

Any interpretations or ideas as to why Mark found it important to include this??
 
I think the fig tree represents the Jews who for the most part rejected their Messiah at the time of his visitation and were cursed. Their Temple and city (Jerusalem) were destroyed and they were scattered among the nations.
 
It wasn’t fig season, but the tree gave all the indications of having ripe fruit —> “Aha! It must be a good tree!”

Except that it was a false tree, a “hypocrite” if you will. It “talked the talk” but didn’t “walk the walk,” so to speak.

Now throw in all those passages about “not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter my kingdom” and “wheat and the tares” and the like. This was a graphic, tangible, touch-and-feel-it-with-your-hands lesson on a frequent theme in Jesus’ parables and lessons.
 
From the Haydock Commentary:
Ver. 13. He came, if perhaps, &c. Christ knew there was no fruit upon it, and that it was not the season, or a season for figs. See Matthew xxi. 19, what instruction he designed to give his disciples by what he said and did to the fig-tree. (Witham) — Jesus Christ here curses the barren tree, on account of his disciples, who were present; for as he every where gave instances of his most beneficent will, it was proper he should also give them proofs of his justice and severity. Hence his principal motive for cursing the fig-tree was, not on account of any hunger he then experienced; for it is not probable that Christ should experience so great hunger, and at so early an hour, as these words seem to indicate. (Ven. Bede)
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12 And the next day when they came out from Bethania, he was hungry. 13 And when he had seen afar off a fig tree having leaves, he came if perhaps he might find any thing on it. And when he was come to it, he found nothing but leaves. For it was not the time for figs. 14 And answering he said to it: May no man hereafter eat fruit of thee any more for ever. And his disciples heard it. 15 And they came to Jerusalem. And when he was entered into the temple, he began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the chairs of them that sold doves.
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16 And he suffered not that any man should carry a vessel through the temple; 17 And he taught, saying to them: Is it not written, My house shall be called the house of prayer to all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves. 18 Which when the chief priests and the scribes had heard, they sought how they might destroy him. For they feared him, because the whole multitude was in admiration at his doctrine. 19 And when evening was come, he went forth out of the city. 20 And when they passed by in the morning they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
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21 And Peter remembering, said to him: Rabbi, behold the fig tree, which thou didst curse, is withered away.
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The referrences to the fig tree bracket the episode of Jesus’ exhibition of wrath in the temple. This placement indicates the fig tree symbolizes the Temple and the Old Covenant, which are to whither and die, being superceded by Christ’s Church and the New Covenant.
 
JohnPaulTwoToo said:
The referrences to the fig tree bracket the episode of Jesus’ exhibition of wrath in the temple. This placement indicates the fig tree symbolizes the Temple and the Old Covenant, which are to whither and die, being superceded by Christ’s Church and the New Covenant.
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AMEN!!!

In several of the Prophets books, Israel is represented by a fig tree. The Old Covenant is not bearing fruit, so it will wither and die.

Whenever Mark sandwiches a scene between two of another scene, look for the correlation; such as the two healings of the blind men.
 
It also represents US. When we come to Judgement, Jesus will want to see our fruitfulness. Woe betide those of us who have none for Him to see.
 
would it not be wrong to destroy someone else’s property? even a sin?
 
What is the purpose of a fruit/fig tree? To bear figs. It can be identified by the fruit it bares. So must we be.

This particular tree had been barren for some time. If a fruit tree produces no fruit, it is useless and deceiving others into thinking it is fruitful.
 
jrabs said:
What is the purpose of a fruit/fig tree? To bear figs. It can be identified by the fruit it bares. So must we be.

This particular tree had been barren for some time. If a fruit tree produces no fruit, it is useless and deceiving others into thinking it is fruitful.
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Aye, I think I would have wet my pants if I had been with Jesus when he did that, because it made all of his numerous judgment parables VERY VERY REAL. :eek: When it’s just words you can say, “Ahhh, he didn’t really mean it. He’s Jesus meek and mild. He’s gentle and tender and loving. He didn’t really mean it.” But then when he makes a tree wither and die right before your eyes, right down to the roots, all because the tree pretended to bear fruit but didn’t actually bear fruit — that’s not good!! :eek:
 
scottm said:
Aye, I think I would have wet my pants if I had been with Jesus when he did that, because it made all of his numerous judgment parables VERY VERY REAL. :eek:
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Aye, I am sure many a sole wets his pants when he meets Jesus and they have not lead fruitful lives.
 
Although I think that the fig tree was a metaphor for Israel which had been called to be fruitful but was not, I think that there could be a literal explanation too, but I am not sure that it is in line with Church teaching. (Can someone tell me?)

Jesus was Lord over nature. The wind and the waves obeyed Him. Diseased tissues obeyed Him. A donkey’s colt that had never been ridden before allowed Him to ride. Bread and fishes multiplied at His command and water changed into wine.

Perhaps there is something (not really a soul, that would be animism) in inanimate objects, plants, and animals, that makes it possible for them to obey (or disobey) Jesus. The fig tree was asked to bear figs out of season, but it did not obey.

Of course, this leads to some interesting philosophical points about the possibility of free will in inanimate objects and living creatures, but I don’t think I want to go there…
 
Its a nice story, dont you think?I think its kind of funny(sort of like that plant in Jonah).Maybe Mark included it in case the readers wanted to hear an interesting story.Jesus might have done it because it wasnt a very nice tree or something, IDK.
 
Teeliumtrozzle said:
Its a nice story, dont you think?I think its kind of funny(sort of like that plant in Jonah).Maybe Mark included it in case the readers wanted to hear an interesting story.Jesus might have done it because it wasnt a very nice tree or something, IDK.
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I seriously doubt that Mark would have spent much time on a “nice story”. Jesus left meanings upon meanings in everything that the Gospel authors wrote about him. The fig tree is included, IMO.
 
EHRAM said:
Although I think that the fig tree was a metaphor for Israel which had been called to be fruitful but was not, I think that there could be a literal explanation too, but I am not sure that it is in line with Church teaching. (Can someone tell me?)

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It’s literal - there was a real fig tree and at Jesus’ command it really withered.

Among the various applications and lessons, it tells us that we need to be fruitful regardless of the season!

Nita
 
scottm said:
Aye, I think I would have wet my pants if I had been with Jesus when he did that, because it made all of his numerous judgment parables VERY VERY REAL. :eek: When it’s just words you can say, “Ahhh, he didn’t really mean it. He’s Jesus meek and mild. He’s gentle and tender and loving. He didn’t really mean it.” But then when he makes a tree wither and die right before your eyes, right down to the roots, all because the tree pretended to bear fruit but didn’t actually bear fruit — that’s not good!! :eek:
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Ahhh! you huys are scaring me:eek:
 
Shoshana said:
So, what fruits shoud we bear?
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OBEDIENCE first and foremost - obedience to the commandments of God and the Church. Faithful living out of the requirements of our station in life (eg. marriage, parenting, student, etc.).

Acts of charity to those in need (material or spiritual need) - the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

Nita
 
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