The Bible Said What?Sample

The Fig Tree

In Matthew 21, Jesus and His disciples were leaving Bethany, and Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree full of leaves, but no fruit. So, Jesus cursed the tree with these words: “May you never bear fruit again!” (Matthew 21:19 NIV) And immediately the tree withered. 

Jesus knew the fig tree was barren. Why? Because the leaves and fruit almost always appear at the same time. This was common knowledge to most people. And in some places, the fruit appears before the leaves. 

As you might’ve guessed, the disciples were really shocked at this. They had no idea how the fig tree could wither so quickly. It felt out of character for Jesus. In fact, it’s the only miracle of destruction that He performed. After all, He’s the healer, the life-changer, the miracle-worker, so this just didn’t “fit.” 

Matthew 21:21-22 leads us to believe that this lesson was about the power of prayer. And that was clearly part of it, but most scholars believe there was a hidden meaning behind His actions. There must’ve been a deeper point to this, because He could’ve just as easily made fruit appear on the tree for Himself and His disciples to enjoy. 

One thing we need to understand is that the day before Jesus cursed the fig tree was Palm Sunday—when Jesus made a triumphant entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey where the people shouted, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Shortly after this, the famous “turning over the tables” scene happened in the Temple. All of this occurred just four days before Jesus would die on a cross.

With this context in mind, it seems a little more clear that Jesus’s decision to curse a fig tree was both symbolic and an act of disappointment. This week in time was Passover week, and the people came to be spiritually nourished. But, when they arrived at the Temple, there was no fruit available...only leaves. They went away hungry, just like Jesus did when the fig tree didn’t provide. 

The behind-the-scenes details of this passage of Scripture are broader than can be described in a single devotional. Spend some extra time learning about this story and see what other insights God gives you.