Look at Figs 14 8 and 15 5 Again if You Are

Question

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?

Reply

The account of Jesus cursing the barren fig tree is constitute in ii dissimilar gospel accounts. Get-go, information technology is seen in Matthew 21:18-22, and so likewise in Mark 11:12-xiv. While at that place are slight differences between the 2 accounts, they are easily reconciled by studying the passages. Similar all Scripture, the fundamental to understanding this passage comes from understanding the context in which it happened. In order to properly understand this passage, we must first look at the chronological and geographical setting. For example, when did this occur, what was the setting, and where did it happen? Also, in order to fully empathize this passage, we need to have an agreement of the importance of the fig tree as it relates to the nation of Israel and empathize how the fig tree is often used in the Scriptures to symbolically stand for Israel. Finally, nosotros must accept a basic agreement of the fig tree itself, its growing seasons, etc.

Starting time, in looking at the full general chronological setting of the passage, we run across that it happened during the calendar week before His crucifixion. Jesus had entered Jerusalem a day earlier among the praise and worship of the Jewish people who were looking to Him as the King/Messiah who was going to deliver them from Roman occupation (Matthew 21:1-eleven; Mark 11:1-xi). At present, the adjacent solar day, Jesus is again on His way to Jerusalem from where He was staying in Bethany. On His fashion, both Matthew and Marker tape that He was hungry and saw a fig tree in the distance that had leaves on it (Mark 11:13). Upon coming to the tree expecting to discover something to swallow, Jesus instead discovered that the fig tree had no fruit on it and cursed the tree maxim, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" (Matthew 21:19; Mark 11:14). Matthew records the cursing and the withering of the fig tree all in one business relationship and includes it after the business relationship of Jesus cleansing the Temple of the moneychangers. Marker explains that it actually took place over two days, with Jesus cursing the fig tree the beginning day on the manner to cleanse the Temple, and the disciples seeing the tree withered on the 2nd 24-hour interval when they were once again going to Jerusalem from Bethany (Mark 11:12-14 and Mark eleven:nineteen-20). Of course, upon seeing the tree "withered from the roots upwards," the disciples were amazed, as that would have unremarkably taken several weeks.

Having reviewed the full general chronological setting of the story, nosotros tin begin to answer some of many questions that are often asked of it. First of all is the question, Why did Jesus curse the fig tree if it was not the right season for figs? The respond to this question tin be determined by studying the characteristics of fig copse. The fruit of the fig tree generally appears before the leaves, and, because the fruit is green it blends in with the leaves correct up until it is near ripe. Therefore, when Jesus and His disciples saw from a distance that the tree had leaves, they would have expected information technology to as well have fruit on it fifty-fifty though it was before in the season than what would be normal for a fig tree to be bearing fruit. Also, each tree would often produce two to three crops of figs each season. There would exist an early ingather in the spring followed past one or two afterwards crops. In some parts of Israel, depending on climate and conditions, it was also possible that a tree might produce fruit x out of twelve months. This also explains why Jesus and His disciples would exist looking for fruit on the fig tree even if information technology was non in the main growing flavour. The fact that the tree already had leaves on it even though information technology was at a higher height effectually Jerusalem, and therefore would accept been exterior the normal flavour for figs, would have seemed to exist a adept indication that at that place would also exist fruit on it.

As to the significance of this passage and what it ways, the answer to that is once more found in the chronological setting and in understanding how a fig tree is frequently used symbolically to represent Israel in the Scriptures. First of all, chronologically, Jesus had just arrived at Jerusalem amid cracking fanfare and bully expectations, merely then proceeds to cleanse the Temple and curse the barren fig tree. Both had significance as to the spiritual condition of Israel. With His cleansing of the Temple and His criticism of the worship that was going on in that location (Matthew 21:13; Mark eleven:17), Jesus was effectively denouncing Israel's worship of God. With the cursing of the fig tree, He was symbolically denouncing Israel equally a nation and, in a sense, even denouncing unfruitful "Christians" (that is, people who profess to be Christian but have no testify of a relationship with Christ).

The presence of a fruitful fig tree was considered to be a symbol of blessing and prosperity for the nation of Israel. Besides, the absence or death of a fig tree would symbolize judgment and rejection. Symbolically, the fig tree represented the spiritual deadness of Israel, who while very religious outwardly with all the sacrifices and ceremonies, were spiritually barren considering of their sins. Past cleansing the Temple and blasphemous the fig tree, causing it to whither and dice, Jesus was pronouncing His coming judgment of Israel and demonstrating His power to carry information technology out. It as well teaches the principle that religious profession and observance are not enough to guarantee salvation, unless there is the fruit of genuine salvation evidenced in the life of the person. James would later repeat this truth when he wrote that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). The lesson of the fig tree is that nosotros should behave spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), non but give an appearance of religiosity. God judges fruitlessness, and expects that those who have a relationship with Him will "bear much fruit" (John 15:5-8).

Render to:

Questions virtually Jesus Christ

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?

Subscribe to the

Question of the Calendar week

Get our Question of the Calendar week delivered correct to your inbox!

© Copyright 2002-2022 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy

This page last updated: April 21, 2022

websterbessing.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/curse-fig-tree.html

Share this post