Why does Jesus make demands of the fig tree then punish it for not complying? Does the tree have free will?

Answer 1

Gee, TD, I must be growing senile...I attended church, Sunday School, Bible Class, Confirmation Class, another church after marriage, and cannot remember the story of the Fig Tree.
I best go confess to Father Feck, and see what kind of praying I have to do to be forgiven...LOL!!!

Answer 2

Good question. I once knew a pine tree that had free will - it was desperately unhappy and chose to commit suicide. Personally I think Jesus's treatment of the fig tree was way harsh, but what do I know? Given context, maybe it was a parable, referring to the money lenders in the temple and pharisees? or to people who are granted lots of talent and produce nothing with it (He did a lot of parables on that subject). If it was to demonstrate power, why not do something constructive like cause the tree to bear fruit? Using power for wanton destruction has always seemed to me a contemptible act - it seems so unlikely that Jesus would do something like that. Unless I am not understanding something (so often the case - sigh). Or maybe it was a really really selfish evil fig tree that was just asking for it. Or maybe Jesus was really hungry and disappointed and lost His temper - maybe He made mistakes too.

Believe it or not, there is actually an entire Wikipedia page on this - got to love that Wiki!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fig_Tree

Answer 3

Why did Jesus curse that tree since, as Mark explains, “it was not the season of figs”? 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. 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, Jesus..

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.

Answer 4

No ... but the people of the nation of Israel ... which the fig tree represents ... sure did.

Fast forward to 70 AD to see the "fig tree" that refused to bear good fruit ... ripped out at the roots and burned .... in the destruction of Jerusalem, by the Romans.

Answer 5

It was to show his followers how powerful faith is.

Also, he didn't "make demands of the fig tree and then punish it for not complying." As you mention, trees do not have free will, and had Jesus demanded something from it, the tree would have done or become whatever He commanded.

The passage you're referring to is found in the gospel of Michael, chapter 21, verses 19-22

"19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

Answer 6

Seriously, back in those days the story probably made sense (the fig tree represented Israel perhaps) but it's no longer important - and Jesus probably never told the story anyway. It had probably been doing the rounds of the synagogues for centuries before he was born.

Answer 7

Thats prophetic symbolism.
The fig tree represents Israel. Jesus requested fruit from the tree (Israel). But no fruit was found. Jesus cursed the tree and it dies.

God required Israel to produce fruit (godly people), but it did not. Israel rejected God. So God cursed Israel-it died. Israel died in 70 a.d. and did not rise again until 1948 or 1,878 years later.

Answer 8

oh TD, your meds stopped working. Buddy, I feel for you, I really do. But I feel more for the little woman.

I hope you get your med levels checked out again ASAP Best of luck, bud

Answer 9

analogy ~ a similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be

and

Logic. a form of reasoning in which one thing is inferred to be similar to another thing in a certain respect, on the basis of the known similarity between the things in other respects.

But maybe logic isn't your strong suit :)

Answer 10

nah, TD, all the fig tree has is a free leaves... just ask Adam and Eve...
if it doesen't bear fruit, cut the damn thing down... it was so ordered...