Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree? Israel's Fruitlessness
Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree?
In two of the four Gospels (Matthew 21:18–22 and Mark 11:12–14, 11:20–24) we are given an account of the time Jesus cursed a fig tree. That’s an odd thing to do, isn’t it?
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? Jesus cursed the fig tree as an object lesson to reinforce the necessity of not simply looking like you’re a fruitful believer, but truly bearing fruit in your walk with God. From afar, this tree gave all signs of being fruitful. However, upon closer examination, it was barren and fruitless. The consistent teaching of Scripture is that faith – true faith – produces fruit (Galatians 5:16–26). Quality fruitfulness was always Christ’s standard (Matthew 7:15–20).
Since this was such a consistent message in Jesus’ ministry, it must be important! Let’s dig deeper into what’s going on here.
Understanding the Context of Mark 11
Proper study of any portion of Scripture always begins with understanding the context – the general situation surrounding the details in question. The context of Jesus’ actions plays an important in why He cursed the tree.
For the sake of simplicity, let’s limit this conversation to Mark’s record of the event. Fortunately, Mark is a relatively short book. I recommend you read it in its entirety. At the very least, I strongly suggest you read all of Mark 11.
This chapter begins with Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This scene may be very familiar to you. The imagery of Jesus riding into town on a donkey is so common that even non-churchgoers have probably seen a reenactment. It tends to be a hallmark of the Easter worship season.
And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and He sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:7-10)
In the greater context of Passion Week (the week of Christ’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection), this proclamation by the crowd is ironic. Sure, they were excited at the prospect of a coming king. But, in all likelihood, some members of this group were also in the gathering a few days later shouting, “crucify Him!” They wanted a king, but they weren’t looking for the Lord of Glory. They wanted a king on their terms.
You see, while this crowd was excited about a coming Messiah, they were enthusiastic about their version of the Messiah. This mentality gives us insight into the general disposition of Israel at the time. Yes, they were offering the prescribed sacrifices. Yes, they were observing the Law and all the obligatory celebrations. But where was their heart? Far from God. They showed outward signs of honoring Him, but that’s about as far as it went.
For years, Jesus had proclaimed the kingdom of God and the gospel to them. He urged Israel to repent and believe. He performed one miracle after another, proving that He was the Savior sent from God. Yet, the people rejected Him in their unbelief. They wanted a savior that would rescue them from the hands of their Gentile rulers. They weren’t interested in a Savior that would save them and their Gentile rulers from sin.
After this scene of worshipful reception, Mark records this:
And He entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when He had looked around at everything, as it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve. (Mark 11:11)
According to Mark, Jesus “looked around at everything” happening in the Temple. Well, what did He see? Presumably, the same thing He encounters the next day. Instead of the court of the Gentiles being filled with worshipers, it was overrun with moneychangers and merchants selling animals for the sacrifice.
This area of the Temple had a purpose, and that purpose wasn’t commerce or exploitation of those who came to worship! (For more on the cleansing of the Temple see our article Why Did Jesus Cleanse The Temple?)
This scene sets the backdrop for what happens as Christ headed back into Jerusalem the next day.
The Curse
As He and His disciples approach the city, Jesus sees a fig tree covered in leaves.
And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if He could find anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And He said to it, “May no one ever eat from you again.” And His disciples heard it. (Mark 11:13-14)
Remember, keep the greater context in mind!
Jesus is traveling back into Jerusalem, headed for the Temple that is being profaned and defiled. The Temple, where lots of “religious activity” is going on, but the Lord is not being worshipped or glorified. From a distance, things may look fruitful. A closer inspection will reveal barrenness.
So, this fig tree serves as a perfect illustration and opportunity for the disciples to see a spiritual reality.
We are told that it wasn’t the season for figs. However, within this region, a fig tree filled with leaves would indicate that fruit should be present. The fruit may not be fully ripened (not yet in season), but there should be edible fruit present. Similar to an apple tree, there is abundant fruit present long before its ready to be harvested.
So, from a distance, this tree (much like the people of Jerusalem) shows all the signs of being fruitful. But upon closer inspection, the Lord finds it barren.
And, as He does, Jesus issues the curse,
“May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” (Mark 11:14)
Immediately after this, Jesus proceeds to the Temple to drive out all – buyers as well as sellers – who were making a mockery of worship and transgressing against the holiness of God.
God’s chosen nation, Israel, may have looked fruitful from a distance. According to the Law and in celebration of the Passover, an abundance of sacrifices were being offered. Yet, as Jesus makes clear, all of these “religious activities” were an offense to God. Maybe they were doing it out of a sense of obligation to the Law. Maybe it was just adherence to tradition.
Whatever it was, it wasn’t happening out of a fear or reverence of God.
A Fruitless Nation
Israel had plenty of leaves, but they were barren.
Mark goes on to tell us what the disciples saw the next day:
As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” (Mark 11:20-21)
As far as visual aids go, it doesn’t get much more profound than that!
The fig tree represented the nation of Israel (and, by extension, anyone who claims to be a believer). Mere outward expressions of religiousness are not what God is looking for. You aren’t justified (in a right position with God) by how righteous you appear. In the context of 1st Century Israel, no group looked more religious and righteous than the Pharisees. They specialized in outwardly keeping the Law and traditions. They clung to the idea that doing so would earn them righteousness.
But Christ’s judgement was against those that displayed all the signs without truly bearing the fruit. He makes clear that what He desires is that they “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). Instead of being barren, walk by the Spirit! Bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16–26)!
Don’t simply go through the motions. Live your life as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1).
The Solution
How do we live a life like that? Jesus provides the answer after Peter see’s the withered tree:
“Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into 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. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.’” (Mark 11:23-25 emphasis added)
Christ gave His disciples two commands here. First, have faith in God. Be dependent upon Him. Trust in Him to faithfully provide for your needs. Your need of salvation, but also your daily needs.
Second, exercise mercy and forgiveness towards those who’ve sinned against you, knowing that forgiveness and mercy is Christlike.
We’ve all sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23). Keeping the Law cannot save you. The sacrificial system cannot save you. Going through all the motions and being busy looking religious can’t save.
Only God saves. He offers forgiveness as a free gift by grace through the redemptive work of Christ (Romans 3:24)!
It is written,
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13-14, emphasis added)
The solution to Israel’s barrenness was standing before them. But, many of them rejected their Savior and shouted to have Him put to death. The same solution is before each of us today.
Will you reject Him? Will you go on trying to look righteous enough? Or, will you receive grace, life, and peace with God by turning to Jesus in humble faith? And then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, bearing good fruit to the glory of God.
Only those in Christ will escape God’s wrath on the day of judgment. Don’t be like unbelieving Israel. Repent and believe in Christ!
(For more depth on this see our articles: Why Did Jesus Die For Our Sins? and Forsaken By God).
Related Questions
What does the fig tree represent in the Bible? The healthy fig tree was often considered to be a symbol of the prosperity of the nation of Israel. Likewise, the unhealthy fig tree was a representation of the judgment of Israel because of their spiritual deadness.
What is the meaning of the parable of the fig tree? This parable is different from the cursing of the fig tree. In Luke 21:29-33 Jesus gives a parable of the fig tree. This was to point His audience to His second coming. Jesus taught that when the signs He spoke of occur (Luke 21:5-28) we can know His coming is near. We can know just as one knows summer is coming from the leaves of a fig tree.