In Mark 11, we read a story where Jesus cursed a fig tree. And it is one of the harder events in Jesus ministry to understand. Why did He curse the fig tree? What is the symbolism of cursing that fig tree?
Between The Ears BLOG INDEX, with titles and summaries.
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| Olive, Vine, Fig |
Before we get to the text, let's look at the history and context. Three trees are often mentioned together in the Bible, the olive, the fig, and the vine (yes I know the vine is not a tree). And they are cited as blessings, very much associated with Israel.
Dt 8:7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of streams of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines, fig trees, and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey;
Mic 4:4 But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid; For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.
The Olive and the Vine
In reading Romans 11:11-24, I think it safe to conclude that the olive represents God's relationship with the nation Israel. Paul talks about grafting in wild olive branches into a cultivated olive tree, meaning Gentiles grafted into Israel.
Rom 11:17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,
And in reading John 15:1, I think it safe to conclude that the vine represents a personal relationship between Jesus and each believer. Fruit is a byproduct of “abiding in Jesus”.
Jn 15:1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
The Fig
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Adam and Eve |
Judges 14:4 However, his father and mother did not know that this was of the LORD, for He was seeking an occasion (a fig leaf) against the Philistines. And at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.
Covering one's self with fig leaves is offering excuses for an embarrassing event or status. Offering an olive branch is offering peace; but offering a fig leaf is to offer a temporary cover (an excuse) - Yavoh_mag [2].
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| Unripe Figs |
Chronology
Beginning in John 12
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany
12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting:
Mark 11:1 occurs between John 12:1 and 12:12.
Mk 11:1 And as they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples,
This is introducing the story of Jesus' Triumphal Entry riding on a donkey. We know this to be the day the lambs were chosen for Passover, that is, the tenth day of the first month. Most churches teach that this was Palm Sunday, but based on the events of the crucifixion week, it was the Sabbath day. It is the next day He cursed the fig tree. Note the two towns mentioned, Bethany and Bethphage. Bethany mean House of Poverty - abarim(Bethany) [3]. Bethphage means House of Unripe Figs - abarim(Bethphage) [4].
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| Jesus Triumphal Entry |
Cursing the fig tree appears to be a story in two parts, one morning to the next, separated by the cleansing of the Temple. But I think it is all one story, that cleansing the Temple is the key to understand why the fig tree was cursed. Continuing in Mark 11.
[Jesus curses the fig tree]
12 On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. 13 Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs*. 14 And He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.
[Jesus Drives Money Changers from the Temple]
15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple area and began to drive out those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple grounds. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written: ‘MY HOUSE WILL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’? But you have made it a DEN OF ROBBERS.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard this, and they began seeking how to put Him to death; for they were afraid of Him, because all the crowd was astonished at His teaching. 19 And whenever evening came, they would leave the city.
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| Jesus Cleansing the Temple |
[The fig tree is withered]
20 As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up*. 21 And being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree that You cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God*. 23 Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him. 24 Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you for your offenses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your offenses.”
How is cleansing the Temple like cursing a fig tree without fruit? I believe the fig tree represents religion - TorahToday [5], that is, Israel's relationship with God through religion. That is what I will now try to show. Money changers and dove sellers are like leaves without fruit, worshipers are not fed by this “form of godliness”. I doubt the money changers showed up in the courtyard without the blessing of the Pharisees, who no doubt took their cut. A fig tree that has leaves and no fruit is symbolic of a religion that is all show, a false religion. The Temple was an example of a religion that no longer produced fruit (withered from the roots). I submit that the withered fig tree foreshadowed the destruction of the Temple, the destruction of the religion of the scribes and Pharisees. In other words, "Judgment is being visited upon Israel" - Catholic_mag [6.].
Religion can have fruit and leaves, or just leaves, the “form of godliness”. Religion can be a great blessing, a source of spiritual food for the people, but it has to have fruit. Think of the centuries when ancient Israel had the Tabernacle or the Temple – what a blessing it was for the nation. Religion can bring people to God, or when corrupted, be used to exploit people and enrich the leaders.
In the parallel account in Matthew 21, some parables follow, then in chapter 23, Jesus gives 8 stern warnings to the scribes and Pharisees, these are known as the 8 woes, which parallel the 8 blessings in Matthew 5. Highlighting a few verses from 23:1-12.
Mt 23:1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them. 4 And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger. 5 And they do all their deeds to be noticed by men [like leaves]; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the seats of honor in the synagogues, 7 and personal greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by the people. 8 But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. 9 And do not call anyone on earth your father; for only One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11 But the greatest of you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
The 8 woes begin in verse 13 and carry through vs 33, I don't have space to quote them all, but I encourage you to read them. All but one of the woes begin with the words ”woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites”. Over and over again, “woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites”. Jesus gave His strongest rebuke to the leaders of the Temple, the ones who sat in Moses' seat. While we all have to watch ourselves for hypocrisy, he aimed these woes at the leaders, the Scribes and Pharisees, the shepherds, not the sheep. The lesson of the cursed fig tree reminds all of us to uproot the leaven of hypocrisy in our lives.
References
2. https://yavohmagazine.com/messianic-teachings/judgement-and-the-fig-tree
3. https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Bethany.html
4. https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Bethphage.html
5. https://torahtodayministries.org/lesson/what-kind-of-fruit-are-you
6. https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/why-does-jesus-curse-the-fig-tree
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