If a man understands trees and knows it is not time for figs, why would that man see a fig tree and go to that tree to see if there might be some figs on it that he might eat? The scriptures state plainly that is was not time for figs yet! That should make us wonder why did Jesus curse the fig tree.
Jesus must have prayed and fellowshipped with the Father and missed breakfast because as they were approaching the temple Jesus was hungry. The scripture does not say anyone else was hungry. The disciples probably had breakfast.
Mark 11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
As we recall, Jesus as the Word of God created all things so that would include the fig tree. Jesus would have known that there would be no figs on the tree. The fig tree was just doing what a fig tree does in the springtime and early summer. The tree was growing leaves and looking lush green and wonderful but no fruit.
So the question remains, why did Jesus curse the fig tree? It appears that Jesus even got a harsh attitude toward the fig tree. Notice that Jesus answers the fig tree! Ever wondered what the fig tree said to Jesus? Also, especially notice what the scripture says about the disciples.
Mark 11:14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever. And his disciples heard it.
Let’s use the number one rule of extracting counsel from the Word of God, which is “No verse out of context.” For sake of time and writing space we will list the beginning of the passage and the ending of the passage. This starts in Mark 11:1 and ends in 12:44. Reading the whole passage several times is necessary to extract correct counsel from this passage. Jesus actually leaves the temple in Mark 13:1.
This passage begins with Jesus making preparations to present Himself as Messiah the King as prophesied by Zachariah 9:9 and Daniel 9:26. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey then Jesus and His disciples enters straight into the temple. Jesus begins His inspection of the temple and those who were in charge of the temple order of His day. The Priests and Levis should have had the temple and the people ready to receive their Messiah the King. That would be Jesus the Christ! As we will see they had failed miserably.
Again, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the donkey and goes straight into the temple. The first day Jesus and the disciples just looked around observing all things. Even though nothing was said the first day it is obvious that Jesus did not like what He saw! Jesus and the disciples went back to Bethany for the night. Here is the account of the donkey ride and the first day.
Mark 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
The next verse starts with “on the morrow” which means the next day. The first day Jesus just observed the happenings in the temple. Nothing is recorded as being said or done. They just leave town. The second day starts in verse 12.
Mark 11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever. And his disciples heard it.
15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
19 And when even was come, he went out of the city
Again, following the sequence of events, on the first day in the temple Jesus just observes and they go back to Bethany. Verse 12 starts the second day of events and Jesus and the disciples on the way to Jerusalem stopped by the fig tree and He curses the fig tree. Then they proceed into the temple and Jesus put on a show and made a big turmoil in the temple. Again they leave and go back to Bethany. Next morning they return again and stop by the fig tree and have some discussion. This will be the third trip.
Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Verse 27 starts with the arrival in Jerusalem and going into the temple. This would still be the third day. Some interesting dialogue took place on this day. The Jews were ready for him because they had called in reinforcements of a higher pay grade.
27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Jesus frosted them real good here! Now Jesus starts speaking to them in parables and having much discussion throughout the day. That is a great study within itself. Jesus did not leave the temple until the start of chapter 13.
So have we figured out why Jesus cursed the fig tree? Jesus knew there would be no fruit on the fig tree. This was simply as “Object Lesson” for the disciples! Remember we pointed out that the scripture states, “and the disciples heard it”?
After the first day of inspection in the temple, Jesus saw that the Scribes, Pharisees and Elders of Israel had built a mountain of religion, which looked really good everything adorned with gold and silver. However, that system of religion produced no fruit with which to nourish the people and the nation.
They seemed to be very good at selling their wares and taking money from the people, even widows. They were selling and exchanging a lot of money. They had a great temple and they looked like they were doing a lot for God and the children of Israel and preparing them for their coming Messiah. However, they did not even recognize Him when He walked in the temple! In fact they got into an argument with Jesus and challenged His authority. They thought they were the authority! Wow!
Backing up to the second morning coming in, the disciples were probably on their cell phones and not paying attention to anything. It would seem Jesus called them over to the fig tree. “Hey guys, turn off your phones I want to show and tell you something, “and the disciples heard it.”
On the third morning coming in, they again passed the fig tree and it was dried up. Now anybody can cut a fig tree down in the morning and the next morning it will not be dried up. Peter was aware that this was not normal activity by a tree to dry up in a 24-hour period.
Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
After the excitement settled, Jesus begins to expound on the “Object Lesson.”
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Even the OT states that “the just shall live by faith.” Jesus begins to teach the disciples, who would become the core of the future church, with the responsibility of removing the mountain of religion, which had evolved from the Levitical Priesthood. The Levitical Priesthood had to be changed into the priesthood of the individual believers, from the of the sea of people, who accept Jesus as Messiah and would operate by faith.
Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
The Levitical Priesthood had become a mountain of religion, which was controlling the sea of people with an authoritative set of laws for the benefit of only the temple and those ruling in the temple. They were abusing the scriptures and stealing from the people.
Jesus cursed the fig tree with no fruit but looking good as a demonstration of what He was getting to do to the OT Law and Levitical Priesthood. The OT order was to dry up from the roots and no man would ever eat from that OT order after Jesus rose from the Dead.
Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
In scripture many times mountain will refer to a system of government natural or spiritual.
In scripture many times sea will refer to the masses of people.
The “Object Lesson” was to demonstrate to the disciples how there would soon be a covenant change. The mountain of Jewish religion would soon be dried up just like the fig Tree. The Lord Jesus would began the New Covenant on the day of Pentecost and begin the body of Christ, the church. Jesus Christ would inhabit each believer and begin to build His church. The body of Christ is still being built today.
The disciples did not have any understanding of this at this time. However, this information would become major in the New Covenant understanding, which began after the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. Peter preached the first message and 5,000 from the sea of people believed that day and became members of the body of Christ under the New Covenant.
Jesus cursed the fig tree for an “Object Lesson” to His disciples and that includes us.
Grace and Peace multiplied in the name of Jesus.
Compiled by Jerry Thomas 10/15/08 Revised 08/03/2024
All scripture references are (KJV) unless otherwise denoted.
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