"On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 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 is was not the season for figs. And he said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it." (Mark 11:12-14 RSV)
And on the next day:
"As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots." (Mark 11:20 RSV)
2006-06-27 13:46:05 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why did Jesus curse that tree since, as Mark explains, “it was not the season of figs”? (Mark 11:13) Well, when a fig tree bears leaves, normally it also produces early figs. It was unusual for a fig tree to have leaves at that time of year. But since it had leaves, Jesus rightly expected to find figs on it. The fact that the tree had borne only leaves meant that it would be unproductive. Its appearance was deceptive. Since fruit trees were taxed, an unfruitful tree was an economic burden and needed to be cut down.
Jesus used that unfruitful fig tree to illustrate a vital lesson regarding faith. The following day, his disciples were surprised to see that the tree had already withered. Jesus explained: “Have faith in God. . . . All the things you pray and ask for have faith that you have practically received, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:22-24) In addition to illustrating the need to pray in faith, the withered fig tree graphically showed what would happen to a nation lacking faith.
Some months earlier Jesus had compared the Jewish nation to a fig tree that had been unfruitful for three years and would be cut down if it remained unproductive. (Luke 13:6-9) By cursing the fig tree just four days before his death, Jesus showed how the Jewish nation had not produced fruits befitting repentance and thus was in line for destruction. Though that nation—like the fig tree—superficially appeared healthy, a closer look revealed a lack of faith that culminated in the rejection of the Messiah.—Luke 3:8, 9.
Like the unproductive fig tree that looked healthy, the Jewish nation had a deceptive outward appearance. But it had not produced godly fruitage, and it finally rejected Jehovah’s own Son. Jesus cursed the sterile fig tree, and on the following day, the disciples noticed that it had already withered. That dried-up tree aptly signified God’s forthcoming rejection of the Jews as his chosen people.—Mark 11:20, 21.
2006-06-27 16:23:40 · answer #1 · answered by BJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The story of the fig tree is when Israel becomes a nation (1948), that's when the count down of the end begins.
2006-06-27 13:54:46 · answer #2 · answered by LP S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was trying to illustrate a point. Maybe His power over nature, or something more symbolic like that His disciples need to bear fruit or they will wither in their walk with Him.
2006-06-27 14:04:16 · answer #3 · answered by IveGotTheAnswer! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what it meant. I think the moral of the story went like this, if u don't bear good fruit, u shall perish. Atleast that's what mom said as she tried to whip us kids into shape.
2006-06-27 13:56:59 · answer #4 · answered by Uncertain Soul 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Why Did Jesus “Curse” the Fig Tree?"
http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/why_did_jesus_curse_the_fig_tree
2006-06-27 14:01:16 · answer #5 · answered by seedplanter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me it sounds like being angry of hunger and spelling a judgement. Somehow that judgement worked and the tree died away.
Moral story: one should try to control anger otherwise u can cause other's injury.
2006-06-27 13:51:12 · answer #6 · answered by masku darling 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People who don't produce fruit will wither up and die.
2006-06-27 13:53:59 · answer #7 · answered by Samuel J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, I think it refers to the fruitless Christian.
2006-06-27 13:57:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋