"Why Did Jesus Curse a Fig Tree?" An Article

[mdgspencer]

see http://www.patheos.com/blogs/religionqanda/2018/01/miracle-reverse-jesus-curse-fig-tree/

This article gives insight on a passage in the Gospel many people find difficult to understand.

The passage about the fig tree in Mark 11:12-25:
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.
…
20 In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. 24 So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

 

[ratio1]

Great thanks!

 

[Luke6_37]

I always understood the fig tree to represent Israel. Jesus curses it, because it looks healthy (has leaves) but bears no fruit.

 

[AlNg]

I always understood the fig tree to represent Israel.

So it was not a real fig tree that was being cursed?

 

[Luke6_37]

Luke6_37:

I always understood the fig tree to represent Israel.

So it was not a real fig tree that was being cursed?

I think it was a real fig tree. The story isn’t presented as a parable in Mark, but as part of the narrative of what Jesus said and did. I believe the symbol of the fig tree for Israel is found in the Old Testament, so when Jesus withered it, folks knew what he really meant.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Thanks for this. I remember when I first happened to read this passage at about age 12. Not being familiar with the fig tree metaphor or the fruit cycle of figs in Jerusalem area, to me it sounded like Jesus cursed a poor little tree for no good reason, which didn’t fit with my idea of Jesus. I asked my mom about this story and she had never heard of it and asked if I was making this up and was I sure I was reading a Catholic Bible (answer: yes, the one I read was the only one we had in the house at that point, a Douay-Rheims she herself had gotten for a wedding present from her pastor, but never read all the way through).

 

[AlNg]

to me it sounded like Jesus cursed a poor little tree for no good reason

It says that there were no figs on the tree because it was not the season for figs. It doesn’t seem right to curse a tree which has no fruit because it is not the season that a tree is supposed to have fruit.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Yes, that’s exactly what I thought when I read this story years ago.

 

[BrunoMaria]

In the Net-Bible we find these answers:
11:20 In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.

Net-Bible explains:
20tn Grk “And answering, Christ said to it.” The participle ἀποκριθείς (apokriqeis) is redundant and has not been translated.

11:21 Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered.”

Net-Bible explains:
21sn Mark 11:12-14. The incident of the cursing of the fig tree occurs before Jesus enters the temple for a third time (11:27ff) and is questioned at length by the religious leaders (11:27-12:40). It appears that Mark records the incident as a portent of what is going to happen to the leadership in Jerusalem who were supposed to have borne spiritual fruit but have been found by Messiah at his coming to be barren. The fact that the nation as a whole is indicted is made explicit in chapter 13:1-37 where Jesus speaks of Jerusalem’s destruction and his second coming.
---------here my 2 cent to it:-----------
When I was in israel in 1994, guides led tourists to that fig-tree. I think that’s ridiculous, and they most likely replant there a new withered tree every so lomg. (if it’s not even a plastic tree).

Yours
Bruno

 

[rose321]

Net-Bible explains:

21sn Mark 11:12-14. The incident of the cursing of the fig tree occurs before Jesus enters the temple for a third time (11:27ff) and is questioned at length by the religious leaders (11:27-12:40). It appears that Mark records the incident as a portent of what is going to happen to the leadership in Jerusalem who were supposed to have borne spiritual fruit but have been found by Messiah at his coming to be barren. The fact that the nation as a whole is indicted is made explicit in chapter 13:1-37 where Jesus speaks of Jerusalem’s destruction and his second coming.

Respectfully opinion only, agree with and for one it is the closes to understanding it, when seeking other sources etc>> Thank you!!

Fig Tree >as metaphor for Israel. As a Symbolic of Israel itself, is it not?
First mention of Fig Trees, is in the Garden of Adam and Eve, only Fruit Tree mentioned, out of all the Trees in the Garden,interesting?
Fig leaves covered up their shame, did it not?

His Covenant Blessing to them, He will bring them to the Promise Land , Land of Fruit, milk and honey?

Fig Tree, a Symbol> Fig tree looked upon > as a Signs of Blessings>> of Prosperity, Secutiry, Health of a Nation, Spiritually and Physically, Prosperity, Peace, Blessings is when one sitting under their own fig tree, their vines, brances of Peace>> Well Being,

Fig Tree>maturity indicates a gardner has been cotinuously caring for, nourishing tending to their growth, maybe?

Fig Tree is mention all throughout the Bible>in>Hosea 9:10, Kings 4:25 Prophets, seek out and explore >>Judges, Songs of Songs, Micah, Isaiah 16, Hosea, Jeremiah 24: 3:30 ( fig tree, gives prophecy warning?) >>then parables of Jesus mentions, uses the symbol of >>The Fig Tree> metaphor interesting is it not?.

From Genesis to Revelation Fig Tree > is a strong Scriptural Symbolism, is it not?

Metaphorically>>> punishment by God unto them is coming, for their unfruitfulness> not tending to their>Fig tree, their >Spiritual and Physcially growth>>Jesus gives the fig tree 2 or 3 years >>if not cut it down, metaphore>punishment is coming>When was the Temple destroyed?

Messanic Sign? > Today now aboundantly full of Fig Trees, 3 Seasons, returning? restoration? fruitfull? Is there not a prophecy on this also?

John 11:12>>calling of Nathanel who was " sitting under a fig tree like a " True Israel"
Fig tree>> Mark 11:13-21, Matthew 24:32>>end of times> Rev 6:13

Jesus, Aposltes > grew up in the OT, Jesus heavily quotes from, continually refers to in all His Teaching, preaching, reads from Isaiah etc, so in seeking understanding, to His Spoken Word, in what He is saying, I find it helps to go there also.
Peace