Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree?
He leads me …
In Matthew 21:18-20 TLB we read -
In the morning, as [Jesus] was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry and noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “Never bear fruit again!” And soon the fig tree withered up.
The disciples were utterly amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”
As Jesus travels from Bethany, he sees a fig tree ‘in leaf.’ Because it was late spring, most fig trees had not developed mature fruit (Mark 11:13). But this tree caught Jesus’s attention because it was already covered with leaves. Its early foliage indicated that it should have early figs too.
Jesus inspects the tree looking for figs, but the tree was all leaves, and no fruit. His expectation hope turned to disappointment, and Jesus’ reaction was to curse the tree and cause it to wither so that it would never produce fruit again. [1]
What should we learn from what Jesus has done? Well, it is linked to Jesus’ actions the previous day when Jesus was driving out all who were buying and selling in the Gentile section of the tTemple (Matthew 21:12-13), the day before He saw the fig tree.
The money lenders had made the Lord's house a den of thieves. They were traders who exchanged foreign currency, and also sold the animals needed by the worshipers who had travelled long distances and needed to sacrifice to the Lord. By crafty marketing, they could make a huge amount of money off these visitors.[2]
If rabbinic comments are correct, the high priest Caiaphas had a short time previously moved the sale of sacrificial animals from the valley near Jerusalem into the temple court reserved for the Gentiles. This probably accounts for the phrase in Mark 11:17 where Mark records Jesus saying –
“Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’ (italics added) (Isaiah 56:7)? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers’ (Jeremiah 7:11).
The context of Jesus’ reference to the Old Testament verses is important. Isaiah 56: 6-7 says –
‘As for the Gentiles, the outsiders who join the people of the Lord and serve him and love his name … I will accept their sacrifices and offerings, for my temple shall be called “A House of Prayer for All People”’ (NLT).
Whatever the reason for Caiaphas setting up the market in the Gentile section of the temple, the merchants had robbed the Gentiles of their right to worship God in the temple, and this was contrary to Isaiah’s word. By quoting Isaiah, Jesus implies that His action brought about the messianic fulfilment predicted by the prophet, and Jesus’ ‘disruptive action’ was necessary for the temple to return to its purpose as determined by God.
Jesus second reference to ‘a den of robbers’ (Jeremiah 7:11) was referring to what happened during Jeremiah’s time, where people sinned and then shouted, ‘the temple of the Lord’. They believed that by doing this they were guaranteed God’s protection and favour (Jeremiah 7:4–7). Both Jeremiah and Jesus likened the Israelites to rogues who rob, kill, and follow idols, then escape to the temple as a safe refuge. This totally opposed the temple’s purpose.[3]
The following quote from Jeremiah helps to understand what was happening –
‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe” - safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.’ (Jeremiah 7:9-11 NIV).
The issue with the fig tree continued on from the events the previous day in the temple. For those who did not understand the background, the busy courts of the temple, provided a good show. That was the problem with the fig tree too. It is bad enough to lack fruit, but it was worse to lack it and let it appear that fruit was there, and everything was alright.[4]
Jesus’ action with the fig tree also ties in with His discourse revelations to the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 where He clearly addresses the hypocrisy. of the Scribes teachers and the Pharisees who were supposed to be the spiritual leaders of the Jews, and this included them leading by example..
Jesus starts off by saying –
‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them’ (Matthew 23:2-4 NIV)
A few verses on Jesus then says –
‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are’ (Matthew 23:15 NIV).
Wow. They really were an immoral group of people, and Jesus was clearly really upset with them. We could leave it there, but we should remember that when we point the finger at others, three are pointing back at us. So how do we apply what we have looked at to our own lives?The fig tree, like the bustling temple courts during Passover, was putting on a good show. And that made it all the worse. It’s one thing to lack fruit out of season. It’s another thing to lack it while pretending you have it.
We are reminded that just looking like a Christian is not enough. Our response to the Lord for all that He has done for us is to be obedient to Him and to produce spiritual fruit as result. Then we should not get caught up with the threat of, or temptation toward false appearances of fruit (No one will notice if we just …).
Our personal lives can look like we are ‘in leaf.’ Our leaves may make it look like we have a perfect family, that we are a super-parent, a winner, a flawless Christian with many ministry activities. But what if the roots have withered? There may be no fruit of holiness and no intimacy with God. What is worse—our leaves may even fool us too.
And our churches may be much the same. A church’s leaves may look impressive with big attendance numbers, amazing pastors, and the latest music. But what will the Lord find with a close inspection? Will He only find leaves? Or will He find figs as well?[5]
Dear Reader – If you have found some value in this blog, please feel free to send a copy on to your family and friends. Kind regards, John
[1] Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree? Greg Lanier, The Gospel Coalition;
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/jesus-curse-fig-tree/
[2] Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree? Dr. Ray Pritchard, Christianity.com;
[3] Why Did Jesus Curse a Fig Tree? (Matthew 21),Dan Doriani, Crossway.org;
https://www.crossway.org/articles/why-did-jesus-curse-a-fig-tree-matthew-21/
[4] Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree? Dr. Ray Pritchard, Christianity.com;
[5] Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree? Greg Lanier, The Gospel Coalition;
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/jesus-curse-fig-tree/