Jesus and the Fig Tree

Setting and Overview
The account of Jesus and the fig tree is one of the more confusing stories from the Gospels. We have seen Jesus authority over nature in other places, but usually when we see him demonstrate his power through a miracle, the miracle itself is productive and not destructive. The unusual nature of the miracle, however, can also serve to draw our attention to a powerful and instructive story that points not only to the authority and person of Jesus, but also to what it means to be a faithful and prayerful disciple.

Exposition
In comparing Matthew 21:18-22 with Mark 11:12-25, we can see both that the first part of the story is taking place on Monday morning, before the cleansing of the temple, and also that Matthew is condensing a two-part event into one account. We can also see from Mark 11 some indications of why Jesus takes the action that he does. Matthew tells us that he noticed a fig tree by the road, and Mark fills in that the tree had leaves and that it was not yet the season for figs. By the time a fig tree had leaves, even though it may not have ripe figs yet, it should at least have paggim, which were not yet ripe figs but which could be eaten for nutrition. Since it was not yet the season for figs, it may seem strange that Jesus acts so harshly to finding that the tree only had leaves, but since a tree with leaves should have had at least paggim, its barrenness was a surprise and an indication that something was not right with the tree.
Of course, the tree didn’t consciously engage in false advertising, so we can guess that Jesus’ action in cursing the tree is mean to be instructive and not punitive, but what is the instruction? Certainly the later verses focus on faith and prayer, but there is strong evidence that more than that is meant. Old Testament evidence would certainly tie into judgment on Israel (Hosea 9:10, Micah 7:1, Jeremiah 8:10-13) as would Jesus earlier parable in Luke 13:6-9. However, we can also see a broader lesson than just judgment on Israel. Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus warns the religious authorities for their hypocrisy, and that warning should extend to all who would claim authority and to represent God. Similar warnings dominate much of the second half of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-15, Matthew 7:1-5, Matthew 7:15-23) and should be taken seriously today.
When the disciples see the tree withered, Mark tells us that it is the next morning (Mark 11:20), but that is still miraculous evidence of the efficacy of Jesus curse on the tree. The amazement of the disciples serves as another teaching opportunity for Jesus, who echoes and builds on his earlier promise of being able to move mountains (Matthew 17:20.) In using similar language, but this time in contrast to the curse on the tree, Jesus reveals that prayer made in accordance with God’s will, toward carrying out the work that God in his providence has destined for us, will always be answered according to what is requested (John 14:10-14, 15:7-8, 16:22-24, I John 3:21-23, 5:14-15.

Examination and Application
The miracle of the fig tree should both serve as a sober warning to us of how seriously God takes the hypocrisy of false fruitfulness, and a joyous assurance of God’s power in carrying out his plan through his people. Instead of praying to impress others, toward the goal of earning the acclaim of man (Matthew 6:5-8), we are reminded of the great blessing that we have to approach God in Jesus’ name, asking him to work to reveal his glory to the world, and to be assured that he will do so exactly according to his perfect plan. To be able to rejoice in our great blessing to be able to participate in that work, we simply have to pray with single-minded faith that he is and will do all that he has declared (James 1:6-8.)