Meaning of Jesus Cursing the Fig Tree
The Greek verb καταράομαι (kataraomai), meaning "to curse," is used in Matthew 21:19 when Jesus curses the fig tree, saying, "Let there be no fruit from you forever!" [2]. This event is also recorded in Mark 11:13-14, where it is noted that "it was not the season for figs" [6].
The cursing of the fig tree has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian tradition. One interpretation is that Jesus' action was a prophetic sign act, similar to those performed by earlier prophets, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah [6]. In this view, the fig tree represents Israel, which had failed to produce spiritual fruit despite its outward appearance of religiosity. The Tyndale House commentary on Mark 11:13-14 notes that Jesus "was performing a prophetic sign act like those of earlier prophets" and that the judgment on the fig tree symbolized God's judgment on Israel for rejecting the Messiah [6].
The fig tree was a significant symbol in biblical culture, representing prosperity and fruitfulness. The presence of leaves on the tree suggested that it should have had fruit, making Jesus' cursing of it a powerful symbolic act [3]. According to Matthew Henry, Jesus' action was a demonstration of his authority and a warning to Israel of the consequences of rejecting him [5].
In the view of some early Church Fathers, the fig tree represented sin or the Jewish people who had become unfruitful. Augustine interpreted the fig tree in John 1:48 as a symbol of sin, referencing the first humans covering themselves with fig leaves after sinning [9]. Similarly, one commentary tradition by Keil & Delitzsch on Jeremiah 8:13 notes that the fig tree was used as a metaphor for Judah's unfruitfulness, highlighting the connection between the biblical symbolism of the fig tree and Jesus' action [8].
The cursing of the fig tree also raises questions about the nature of Jesus' action and its implications for understanding divine judgment. According to Aquinas, cursing an irrational creature like a fig tree can be lawful if it is done in relation to a rational creature, such as when the creature is used for human needs or serves as a symbol for a larger reality [7].
The withering of the fig tree, as recorded in Mark 11:21, was seen by Peter as a miraculous event, demonstrating Jesus' authority [1]. This event is closely tied to Jesus' teaching on faith and prayer in Mark 11:22-24, emphasizing the connection between Jesus' actions and his teachings.
The historical context of Jesus' action, occurring just before Passover, adds to its significance, as it was a time when Jesus was actively challenging the religious establishment in Jerusalem [4]. The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in AD 70 can be seen as a fulfillment of Jesus' judgment on Israel, symbolized by the cursing of the fig tree [6].
Sources
- Mark “Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.” -- Mark 11:21”
- Matthew “Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit from you forever!” Immediately the fig tree withered away. -- Matthew 21:19”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fig Tree, The — Produces a rich sweet fruit -- Jdj 9:11. Not found in desert places -- Nu 20:5. Abounded in Egypt. -- Ps 105:33. Canaan. -- Nu 13:23; De 8:8. Often grew wild -- Am 7:14. Sometimes planted in vineyards -- Lu 13:6. Propagated by the Jews -- Am 4:9. Required cultivation -- Lu 13:8. Fruit of, formed after winter -- Song 2:11,13. Leaves of, put forth, a sign of the approach of summer -- Mt 24:32. Reasonableness of expecting fruit upon, when full of leaves -- Mr 11:13. Fruit of Eaten fresh from the tree. -- Mt 21:18,19. Eaten dried in cakes. -- 1Sa 30:12. G”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 21:19: 21:19 there were only leaves: Mark observes that “it was too early in the season for fruit” (see Mark 11:13). It was spring (just before Passover); figs form in the spring but ripen in the fall. • immediately the fig tree withered: Matthew has apparently compressed the story (cp. Matt 21:18-22; Mark 11:13-14, 20-23). The cursing of the fig tree is a symbolic gesture depicting God’s judgment on Israel for rejecting the Messiah (see Matt 3:9; 8:11-12). Like a fig tree that shows promise but no fruit, the Israelites (especially the hypocritical leaders) did not bea”
- Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 11:12: Here is, I. Christ's cursing the fruitless fig-tree. He had a convenient resting-place at Bethany, and therefore thither he went at resting-time; but his work lay at Jerusalem, and thither therefore he returned in the morning, at working-time; and so intent was he upon his work, that he went out from Bethany without breakfast, which, before he was gone far, he found the want of, and was hungry (Mar 11:12), for he was subject to all the sinless infirmities of our nature. Finding himself in want of food, he went to a fig-tree, which he saw at some distance, and which”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 11:13: 11:13-14 it was too early in the season for fruit: Jesus did not curse the fig tree merely because it lacked fruit. Rather, he was performing a prophetic sign act like those of earlier prophets (Isa 20; Jer 13:1-11; 19:1-13; Ezek 4). Just as Jesus judged the fruitless fig tree, so too he judged the Temple and the worship of Israel, in which he found no fruit. This judgment was fulfilled in AD 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Cursing, Art. 2: Article: Whether it is lawful to curse an irrational creature? I answer that, Benediction and malediction, properly speaking, regard things to which good or evil may happen, viz. rational creatures: while good and evil are said to happen to irrational creatures in relation to the rational creature for whose sake they are. Now they are related to the rational creature in several ways. First by way of ministration, in so far as irrational creatures minister to the needs of man. In this sense the Lor”
- Jeremiah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Jeremiah 8:13: The warning of coming punishment, reiterated from a former discourse, is strengthened by the threatening that God will sweep them utterly away, because Judah has become an unfruitful vine and fig-tree. In אסף we have a combination of אסף, gather, glean, carry away, and הסיף, Niph. of סוּף, make an end, sweep off, so as to heighten the sense, as in Zep 1:1. - a passage which was doubtless in the prophet's mind: wholly will I sweep them away. The circumstantial clauses: no grapes - and the leaves are withered, show the cause of the threatening: The people is be”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — SAW THEE," ETC. (part 1): 1. WHAT we have heard said by the Lord Jesus Christ to Nathanael, if we understand it aright, does not concern him only. For our Lord Jesus saw the whole human race under the fig-tree. For in this place it is understood that by the fig-tree He signified sin. Not that it always signifies this, but as I have said in this place, in that fitness of significancy, in which ye know that the first man, when he sinned, covered himself with fig leaves. For with these leaves they covered their nakedness when they blushed for the”